Broadway Access Review

School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play

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ID: image of the School Girls Playbill in front of the stage with the text "Access Review" on top

 

General Note

This is a review of the accessibility of the theater, of the lighting/sound/scent design of the show, and a list of content warnings as a way to prep folks with various needs before they go see it. 

This is not meant to scare anyone away from seeing the show. Most productions have about the same amount of content warnings and sensory warnings to go along with it, they’re just rarely explicitly written down. 

For some people, knowing these things ahead of time makes it easier to enjoy the show because they know what to expect. And, often, makes those people more likely to see it in the first place. I hope that it’s helpful!

I am also happy to clarify any specifics, just send me a message or an email and I will respond when I can.

Also please note that I make these while seeing a show for the first time, so I may miss some cues or be slightly off as to their placement/cue line!

Theater

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats in the front right mezzanine

Bathrooms:

  • divided into the binary, though there is a sign that says “Please use the restroom that best aligns with your personal gender identity and expression”

  • located downstairs beneath the orchestra and two levels above the orchestra (both are accessible)

Other theater accessibility:

  • the theater’s entrance has 3 steps to the orchestra (and some steps in the orch), but the elevator is step free

  • all levels of the theatre are wheelchair accessible

  • they offer assistive listening and hearing aid compatible devices, captioning devices, AD headsets, and braille/large print Playbills

Click here for more information on the physical accessibility of this theater.

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • I did not need earplugs for this show

  • the show runs 80 minutes without an intermission

  • the sensory accessibility of this show is similar to that of Becky Shaw and Purpose

Pre Show: medium to loud volume music

The Show:

  • begins with a tire screech and loud music that lasts about a minute or two

  • medium volume music used during scene changes three times

    • the third time, after the walkman is turned on, there are some neon changing lights that are a little flashy but not in a strobe sense, lasts ~2 min

  • a little bit loud at the end when the tv is turned back on, which goes into bows

Content Advisory

  • bullying

  • colorism & use of bleaching cream

  • fatphobia 

  • mention of parent loss