Second City + TDF Partner To Make Laughter Accessible

The Second City is proud to announce a partnership with the TDF, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to bringing the power of the performing arts to everyone by engaging and cultivating a broad and diverse audience and eliminating barriers to attendance. This partnership will allow Second City to produce at least seven open captioned performances during the 2018-19 season, the next of which will be a performance of “Gaslight District” on Thursday, September 13th at 8:00 p.m.

During open captioned performances, text is displayed on the side of the stage, showing word-for-word what performers are saying in real time, as well as describing the corresponding music and sound effects.

“Second City is adapting traditional technology in a new way to caption live improv and comedy, which is rare and thrilling. For the first time, guests who are deaf or hard of hearing are able to laugh along with the show at the very same time as everyone else in the audience,” says Second City producer Jesse Swanson, who is also part of Second City’s Accessibility Committee.

Upcoming open captioned performances scheduled in 2018-19 are:

Gaslight District: Thursday, 9/13/18, 8:00 pm
She the People: Sunday, 10/14/18, 7:00 pm
The Good, The Bad and the Ugly Sweater: Tuesday, 12/11/18, 8:00 pm
The Second City’s 107th Mainstage Revue: Wed., 1/30/19, 8:00 pm (on sale soon)
The Best of The Second City: Monday, 3/18/19, 8:00 pm (on sale soon)
Improv Comedy Hour: Monday, 4/15/19, 8:00 pm (on sale soon)
The Second City’s 43rd e.t.c Revue: Sunday, 5/19/19, 7:00 pm (on sale soon)