A member of the audience was publicly humiliated during a performance of a Broadway musical after being called out by an actress for using a device that she thought was a cellphone to record the show. The incident has put the musical at the centre of a controversy.
The one and only obstacle? The show was not being recorded, and the device in her hand was not even a cellphone.
The musical “Hadestown” is a blockbuster on Broadway, but the show and its star, Lillias White, have been under scrutiny since the events of Wednesday night.
Samantha Coleman, who has a hard time hearing and was using a closed captioning device, said in a video she posted to Instagram after her experience, “I was sitting in the front row of ‘Hadestown’ tonight and Lillias White not once but twice — at least — reprimanded me from the stage because she thought my captioning device was a recording device.” Coleman has a hard time hearing and was using the device.
Coleman stated that she was able to better comprehend and appreciate the show because to the use of an approved closed captioning device. White was under the impression that she could record with it, despite the fact that it had been provided by the theatre.
“People who require the usage of these gadgets ought to have the same level of comfort when going to a Broadway show. And not be met with shame and embarrassment and worry,” Coleman said.
Over the past few years, there has been development in technology that provides theatres with closed captioning. According to the non-profit TDF, which has contributed to making the theatre world more welcoming to people of all backgrounds, all Broadway theatres and plays are equipped with some version of it.
“It is extremely vital for people with hearing loss to love the theatre in order for them to feel involved in that amazing live experience. There are so many solutions currently available,” stated TDF Accessibility Programs Director Lisa Carling.
Another theatre enthusiast named Caroline Itzkoff, who has difficulty hearing as well, believes that it is necessary.
According to Itzkoff, “Having those devices is basically like having a key to knowing what everybody else is already able to just walk through the door and find.” “We need to go the extra mile and make sure that we have the captions that can assist us in filling in the blanks,” said the project manager.
According to statements made to NBC New York by the Jujamcyn Theaters, the company apologised to Coleman after making contact with him. “Our company is dedicated to accessibility in every conceivable way. The event that occurred yesterday serves as a timely reminder that this is a process that is ongoing and requires ongoing review and renewal. In order to ensure that anything like this does not occur again, we are currently examining our policies and our internal standards.”
Coleman stated that she is aware that it was most likely an honest mistake; yet, it has still made an impression.
“In and of itself, I don’t believe she is being malicious. Even though I believe it to be an error in communication, we should nonetheless discuss it “— I quote her.
Coleman has been extended an invitation to attend another performance of “Hadestown.” Individuals who have hearing loss have expressed their regret that she had to go through this, but at the same time, they are thankful that the topic is being brought up so that more Broadway plays will welcome the new technology and the people who use it.
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