In this episode of White Canes Connect, Simon Bonenfant speaks with ADLN program coordinator Lee Etzold and newly trained audio describer Gina Pisasale as they discuss how the program was formed, how the training was conducted, and who was selected to participate. They also discuss the strong support team of blind and visually impaired coaches, other audio describer mentors, and audio description trainees.

While audio-described performances in the Philadelphia area have been available for quite some time, there is a need for more audio describers, particularly from diverse backgrounds. Recently, a group of local theatres have come together to make this dream a reality—calling the initiative the Audio Description Learning Network or ADLN.

Simon and Gina discuss their journey working together to facilitate an audio-described A Christmas Carol Comedy performance. The show took place at Hedgerow in early December.

Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/095

Participating Theaters

The four Philadelphia theatres that participated include The Hedgerow Theatre Company, People's Light, 1812 Productions, and The Wilma Theatre. Each site included a preview performance and a public show, giving the audio describers multiple chances to practice their work. Describers were also required to produce pre-show notes to provide blind and visually impaired patrons access to more detailed visual information.

Small at the People's Light

Join audio describer trainee Beth Feldman Brandt as she describes a production called Small. The production will occur on Sunday, January 28, at 2:00 PM. More details can be found at https://www.peopleslight.org/whats-on/20232024-season/small/.

My Mama and the Full Scale Invasion at the Wilma Theater

There will be an audio-described production of My Mamma and the Full-Scale Invasion on February 18 at 2:00 PM at the Wilma Theatre. More details about that performance can be found at https://wilmatheater.org/event/my-mama-and-the-full-scale-invasion/.

Connect with the Audio Description Learning Network

Interested in contacting the ADLN directly? Visit https://www.helloartscollective.com/adln.html, or send Lee an email at letzold@helloartscollective.com

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