Art-Reach enhances production with ASL interpretation, captioning, sensory workshop, audio description, Braille and large-print programs.

A unique one-night performance of Enchantment Theater Company’s world-premiere production of The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Open and free to the public, this performance will allow audiences with visual or hearing impairments or other types of disabilities to enjoy a first-hand experience of this family-friendly holiday production.

This fully accessible event is coordinated by Art-Reach and VSA Arts of Pennsylvania as part of their joint initiative Independence Starts Here. It will feature audio description and Braille and large-print programs for those who are blind or low-vision, as well as American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and open captioning for audiences who are deaf or hard of hearing. In addition, the Prince Music Theater is accessible to people in wheelchairs and provides assisted-listening devices for audiences who are hard of hearing.

“We are offering a wide range of services to make this event accessible to and enjoyable for everyone,” says Art-Reach Executive Director Michael Norris. “Together, these services make this one-of-a kind performance the most accessible arts event in the region.”

To enhance the experience for audiences with visual impairments, starting at 6:00 p.m. a sensory workshop will take place on stage before the performance. This allows people who are blind or low-vision to touch set pieces, costumes and props.

Audio description and open captioning will be provided by VSA Arts of Pennsylvania. Audio description allows people with visual disabilities to listen through individual headsets to live narration of the on-stage action. Open captioning allows audiences who are deaf or hard of hearing to see the script of the performance on a scrolling LED screen. ASL interpretation will be provided by Building Open Communication Access, LLC.

The Prince Music Theater is located at 1412 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. The sensory workshop will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the performance at 7:00 p.m. A question-and-answer session and dessert reception at 8:15 p.m. will allow audiences to interact with the artists.

The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon is a spectacular multi-media adaptation of the beloved children's books following the zany adventures of an inventive young boy. Enchantment Theatre Company builds its productions on universal and well-loved fables, myths and fairy tales, and its performances are enjoyed by all audiences, young and old alike.

Art-Reach (www.art-reach.org) enriches lives by connecting underserved audiences to cultural experiences so that they may enjoy and benefit from the transformative powers of the arts. Through its programs, each year over 15,000 people of all ages, economic backgrounds and abilities are able to experience the richness of the arts.

Independence Starts Here is a collaborative initiative led by Art-Reach and VSA Arts of Pennsylvania whose mission is to increase awareness of and audiences for accessible cultural programming and to help arts organizations become more accessible. This event is the latest in a series presented in partnership with local arts organizations that showcase accessible services and technology and that demonstrate the value of and need for engaging audiences with disabilities. For more information on Independence Starts Here, go to www.IndependenceStartsHere.org.

Seating for this performance is limited, and tickets must be reserved in advance. To reserve tickets or get more information, call Art-Reach at (215) 568-2115, ext. 5.