Accessibility

What does "accessibility" mean at our theatre?

Affordability

Free participation in any Season Production
Free after school and summer youth programming
Free public events throughout the year, including a Community Open House, Season Announcement Party, and Summer Patio Concerts
Pay What You Can tickets for all Season Performances (special events ticketing subject to availability)

Equitable Opportunity

Partnerships with local nonprofits and schools build awareness of our free programming & its availability to the community
Auditions require no advanced preparation: they are non-competitive, and focus on teamwork
Internships and peer mentorships designed to cultivate new talent
Empowerment programs and events, led by community members

Universal Design

First-floor seating for patrons with wheelchairs and their companions
A stage that is accessible to actors in wheelchairs
Backstage and lower level restrooms accessible to wheelchairs
Elevator access to every floor of the building
Nearby parking for patrons with wheelchairs and their companions

Services

Hearing assistance devices available for every performance
Sensory-friendly performances for patrons on the Autism spectrum
American Sign Language interpreted performances for the deaf community
After school programming incorporates a curriculum that teaches to every student in the room

Representation

NWT recognizes the contributions of our theatrical ancestors who were people of color, indigenous, women, disabled, and LGBTQ-identifying individuals. It is on their shoulders that we stand. We recognize also that despite these roots, the theatre community is not and has not been immune to insidious systemic racism, sexism, and homophobia.

NWT aims to break from the subtle cultural norms that have made the theatre space oppressive to some communities over others. We aim to make amends by shifting to an actively anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-ableist, anti-homophobic standard. One step in our institution's journey is to provide representation as a means of accessibility. We vow to:

Search for underrepresented voices in Cleveland to use our platform and our stages to promote their unique and valuable stories
To make show decisions that underline our support of the voices of people of color, indigenous, women, disabled, and LGBTQ+ individuals
To make casting decisions that elevate the voices of people of color, indigenous, women, disabled, and LGBTQ+ individuals
To make hiring and contracting decisions that bolster our support of people of color, indigenous, women, disabled, and LGBTQ+ individuals
To make Board and Associate Board membership decisions that align with our priorities for diverse leadership

Black lives, indigenous lives, women's lives, dis/differently-abled lives, and LGBTQ+ lives matter to Near West Theatre.