By Maia Scott, Adult Programs Coordinator
On June 5 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, LightHouse HQ in San Francisco opens its doors to local artists, arts organizations, performance companies and audio described arts enthusiasts for a panel discussion, “State of the Art: Checking in on the Evolution of Access Practices for Blind and Low Vision Audiences in Bay Area Performing Arts”. Join us for a discussion on the evolution of access practices for blind and low vision audiences in the performing arts in the Bay Area and beyond. Please come and be in conversation with thought leaders about access from the blind community, Bay Area Theaters, artists, and funders that are all figuring out how to do this important work together.
This panel rides a wave of other partnership happenings. In May, adult LightHouse students participated in improvisation dance workshops facilitated by Gravity Director and Choreographer Jess Curtis, LightHouse student and Gravity company member Tiffany Taylor and audio describer and Gravity company member Gabriele Christian. During these sessions, participants explored techniques for making dance and movement not exclusively visual. Highlights include learning about self-describing, sounding with breath and footfalls and verbalizing one’s movement in progress.
Following the second session, students had a last-minute opportunity to attend Smuin Ballet’s first ever audio described show located at the Yerba Buena Gardens Blue Shield of CA Theater. Gravity Access Services described the series of four pieces and facilitated a pre-show backstage haptic experience where students had the chance to get a close-up look at costumes, walked the stage and learn some key movements from a couple company dancers.
The partnership between Lighthouse and Gravity, thanks to funding through a Creative Work Fund grant, continues with an improv class for teens attending camp this summer along with forthcoming open rehearsals in which students may offer thoughts and feedback leading up to Gravity’s full-length show, “Into the Dark,” taking place this November nearby at CounterPulse.
To RSVP for this cutting-edge conversation on June 5, email MScott@lighthouse-sf.org or call 415-694-7608.
