September 20, 2001

Contact: Linda Gaumnitz, Audio-Reader Network, (785) 864-4604 or Peg Sampson (785) 864-2686

Theatres, Kansas Audio-Reader Network offer free descriptive narration service

LAWRENCE -- Volunteers from the Kansas Audio-Reader Network, a radio reading service based at the University of Kansas, will launch their fifth audio description season on Sunday, Sept. 30, when they describe the Lawrence Community Theatre's production of "Taffetas".

Audio description is the art of providing narrative commentary of live theatre events to blind or low-vision audience members. Audio-Reader volunteers describe costuming, stage sets, scenery changes and actor gestures -- the visual elements of a production not accessible to the visually impaired - to theatre goers who wear small receivers and earphones that allow them to listen discreetly to these descriptions.

"It's a wonderful, free service that can really enhance the audience's enjoyment of the show," said Janet Campbell, audio-reader director. "We've found that the people who avail themselves of this free service really enjoy the descriptions our volunteers provide. With audio description, low-vision patrons can experience more of the spectacle of a live production. They can enjoy the same facial expressions, physical comedy and visual gags that the sighted patrons do."

"We're looking forward to the coming season, and our real interest, besides providing this free service to our listeners and the low-vision community, is to increase attendance to audio described performances," said Peg Sampson, development assistant at Audio-Reader and one of Audio-Reader's first describers.

"We will describe a total of 24 shows this year in the Lawrence and Kansas City areas," Sampson said, "so our listeners can find just about any kind of performance to suit their tastes."

During the 2001-2002 performance season, volunteers will describe 24 events at the Lied Center, Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, and at the Lawrence Community Theatre. Shows scheduled to be described include dramatic pieces, instrumental performances, dance performances and musical theatre.

Productions scheduled to be audio described include:
 •"The Taffetas, " 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 30, Lawrence Community Theatre (LCT),
 •Thunderbird Theatre in "Threads," 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4, Lied Center
 •"Ragtime," 7:30p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13, Lied Center
 •"Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, " Time TBD,Wednesday, Oct. 24, Lied Center
 •"Ballet Hispanico of New York, " 8p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, Johnson County Community College (JCCC)
 •"Funny Girl," 7:30p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 6, Lied Center
 •"My Fair Lady," 7:30p.m., Thursday, Dec. 6, Lied Center
 •"Susan Marshall & Company," 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002, JCCC
 •"Don't Dress for Dinner," 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25, LCT
 •"The Mikado, "8 p.m., Friday, Feb.1, JCCC
 •"HMS Pinafore,"8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2, JCCC
 • "The Taming of the Shrew," 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, JCCC
 •"Pudd'nhead Wilson," 8 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 17, JCCC
 •"Mahalia, A Gospel Musical," 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 24, JCCC
 •"Death of a Salesman," 2 p.m., Saturday, March 9, JCCC
 • Verdi's "Rigoletto," 7p.m., Sunday, March 10, Lied Center
 •"Harlem," Time TBD, Tuesday March 26, Lied Center
 •"River North Chicago Dance Company, " 8 p.m., Saturday, April 6, JCCC
 •Aquila Theatre Company in "Tempest," Saturday, April 6, Lied Center
 •Aquila Theatre Company in "The Wrath of Achilles," 2 p.m., Sunday, April 7, Lied Center
 •"Art," 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, April 12 and13, JCCC
 •"Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story," 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 19, Lied Center
 •"Arsenic and Old Lace," 2:30 p.m., Sunday, April 21, LCT
 •"The Clown Princes Paragon Ragtime Orchestra," 8 p.m., Saturday, April 27, JCCC