While I was in New York City, I had the opportunity to collaborate with GalaPro and interact with their audio description service that is used in several different Broadway plays. Often times, Broadway plays have a strong focus on things like choreography, costumes, and changing sets, and it can be difficult to understand what is going on as a visually impaired audience member. Luckily, audio description makes it possible for everyone to be included. Even better, the GalaPro app makes audio description even easier to obtain. Here is my review of the GalaPro technology used at the famous Broadway play, Chicago.
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What is GalaPro?
GalaPro is an app that allows for users to watch live performances with audio description or captioning in their language. Users have their own phone or tablet device, as well as their own headphones, to listen to descriptions of a live performance in real time. Users do not need to attend a special performance for audio description as it is pre-recorded. For Broadway plays, all plays that are owned by the Shubert Organization are available with GalaPro.
Cost
GalaPro is free to download and use at the theater. People legally cannot be charged extra to use audio description services at the theater.
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Technology skills
GalaPro is very simple to use and requires the following technology skills:
- Ability to switch wifi networks in the settings menu
- Turn on and off airplane mode
- Knowledge of swipe gestures
How to enable GalaPro
GalaPro can be enabled once you are in your seat at the theater. I strongly recommend making an account in the app before you get to the theater. Once you’re in your seat, do the following:
- Go to your device settings menu and turn on “airplane mode.”
- After that, connect to the GalaPro wifi hotspot and enter in the password, which can be found at the accessibility window for the theater.
- From there, select the play you are attending and follow the onscreen directions.
Troubleshooting
To use GalaPro, airplane mode must be on so that there are no other interfering signals. Also, the device cannot have the screen locked and must remain on for the entirety of the performance. Since the screen is very dim, the light is not distracting at all.
Pre-performance description
The pre-performance description lasts about 10 minutes. It begins when the app opens for the show, cutting off right as it begins. The description talks about the different characters and their physical descriptions, such as their hair color, build, makeup, and costume details. There is also a description of the set and common props.
What’s in a description
Audio descriptions are provided whenever there is a pause in dialogue or during music as movement changes. As the show goes on, listeners can learn how the characters move across the stage, their facial expressions, visual jokes, and choreography during dance numbers. For example, during the dance number for “Cell Block Tango”, I got to hear how the dancers move around in their chairs and their facial expressions as they sang. In another scene when one of the main characters, Roxie Hart, enters the stage, I was able to figure out where she entered from and where she had gone on the stage.
Do I need to know about dance?
Chicago is a play that features many dance numbers and 20s style dancing. While I took dance when I was younger and can understand dance terminology, you don’t need to know anything about dance to understand the descriptions. Some examples of movements described include kicks, spins, gestures with arms, and moving from side to side.
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How it helped me
I tend to have lots of questions while watching plays without audio description since I miss a lot of what’s going on. Luckily, GalaPro eliminates that issue. I was able to follow along without any delays and understand what was going on, without constantly having to ask my brother what was going on. The character descriptions helped me the most, so I could easily figure out who was talking, and who they were talking to.
Verdict
Chicago is an awesome play, and thanks to the audio description services GalaPro provides, theatergoers with vision impairments can enjoy this one-of-a-kind Broadway experience.
