Access is an important part of our mission at Chimera Ensemble. Through discussions within the ensemble and with our amazing collaborators in the Chicago community, we attempt to create an environment in which performers, directors, designers, playwrights, and audience members feel welcome to work with us and experience our productions. Through this work, Chimera hopes to create a more cohesive and inclusive theatrical process that better reflects the varied ways in which individuals experience the world.
Season Three at Chimera is supported in part by the League of Chicago Theatres and ComEd through their Powering the Arts grant. Chimera was awarded the grant to help facilitate our expansion and refining of accessibility programming. Read more about the grant here.
Many thanks to our friends at the League of Chicago Theatres, ComEd, the Chicago Cultural Accessibility Consortium, and our generous donors for making our services possible.
Buying Tickets & Requesting Services
When purchasing tickets for an accessible performance, please indicate that you are interested in the service that’s being offered–this will allow us to give you the best possible seats and assistance.
Access questions or requests?
Contact Access Coordinator Anna Donnell at access@chimeraensemble.com, or by calling (601) 278-868.
Chimera Ensemble Accessibility Services
American Sign Language Interpretation
ASL interpreted performances will be scheduled for all Mainstage and Second stage shows in Season Three.
Audio Description and Touch Tours
Audio-Described Performances and Pre-Performance Touch Tours are offered for all Chimera Mainstages. A Touch Tour consists of a brief artistic discussion by the actors and director, a detailed description of the stage area by the audio describer, and the opportunity for audience members to take a walking and tactile tour of the stage. Audio Description is a live, audio guide of visual aspects within the show which audience members receive through headphones during the performance.
Braille and Large Print Programs
Available at the Box Office upon request.
Mobility Access
Elevator or ramp access is provided for all performance spaces. Wheelchair accessible seating is available for every performance
Open Captioning
At Chimera, Open Captioning is available for every performance of every Mainstage production and for every scripted Second Stage production. Open Captioning is a visual text display of all spoken words, music, and sound effects in a performance. The captioning is displayed on a television or projector screen.
Sensory Friendly Provisions
All Chimera performances allow for exit and re-entry during performance. Sometimes, an ensemble member may ask for a few moments to help direct patrons back to a more safely accessible seat upon re-entry. An area of rest will be available for all performances, located nearby but removed from the performance space. A social story is integrated into the “Accessibility Guide” provided for each show and is available to audience members on Chimera’s website.