Access Programs

The Huntington offers ASL interpretation for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing at designated performances.

Seating for each ASL-interpreted performance is located in the orchestra, house left. Tickets are $20 each for Deaf patrons and their guests. To reserve tickets please email access@huntingtontheatre.org or call 617-266-0800.

Deaf/hard-of-hearing school groups are also invited to attend the Student Matinee Series, several performances of which are ASL-interpreted. Schools are provided with study and curriculum guides in advance and with preview tickets for teachers (on request). Although geared toward school groups, individual Deaf or hard-of-hearing students accompanied by an adult are also welcome. For student matinee information or reservations, please contact the Director of Education at 617 273 1558, or email mobrien@huntingtontheatre.org.

Season ASL-Interpreted Performances

Seeing a show at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA

Both the Huntington Avenue Theatre and the Calderwood Pavilion are equipped with an FM hearing enhancement system. Wireless headphones are available free of charge at the main lobby concessions. Assistive listening devices are made available to patrons at all performances.

Audio Description is a carefully timed, live narration of the visual aspects of a performance. It is broadcast via a radio transmitter to patrons who wear a single headphone receiver enabling them to hear both the on-stage dialogue and the describer's narration. 

Headsets must be reserved and limited seating is available. Braille and large print programs will be available at the performances. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early for audio described program notes and set description. Guide dogs are welcome. Tickets are $20 for each blind/low-vision patron and their guests. To reserve tickets and headsets, please contact Director of Education Meg O'Brien at 617 273 1558 or email mobrien@huntingtontheatre.org.

Blind school groups are also invited to attend the Student Matinee Series, several performances of which are audio-described. Schools are provided with study and curriculum guides in advance and with preview tickets for teachers (on request). Although geared for school groups, individual blind or visually impaired students accompanied by an adult are also welcome. Student tickets are $15, with a limited number of free tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. For student matinee information or reservations, please contact Meg O'Brien at 617 273 1558, or email mobrien@huntingtontheatre.org.

Season Audio-Described Performances

Open caption (OC) services will be provided at select performances for patrons with slight to profound hearing loss. During open captioned performances, an electronic text display is positioned to the side of the stage, which shows what the actors are saying or singing and describes sound effects on stage. Patrons are placed in select seats near the open caption board to ensure they can see both the stage and the caption board during the performance.

Tickets are $20 for each patron with slight to profound hearing loss. To reserve tickets please email access@huntingtontheatre.org or call 617-266-0800.

Partial support for open captioning provided by TDF.

Season Open Captioned Performances

The South End / Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA is fully accessible. The Virginia Wimberly Theatre can accommodate both wheelchair and companion seating in the orchestra and mezzanine sections. The Nancy and Edward Roberts Studio Theatre can accommodate up to four wheelchair seats, depending on the seating configuration. There are accessible restrooms on both levels of the Calderwood Pavilion. The Atelier 505 Parking Garage provides handicapped parking in close proximity to the Calderwood Pavilion.

Venue Information

• South End / Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA
• South End / BCA Plaza Theatres

Large print programs are available free of charge at each Huntington performance.

Access programming is sponsored in part by a grant from the Liberty Mutual Foundation. Access programming for the Student Matinee Series is supported by The Peabody Foundation, Inc. Access programming is facilitated by Cultural Access Consortium.