Off-Broadway Access Review -
Titus Andronicus

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ID: image of the Titus Andronicus 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

Signature - Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre

All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats in the center front orchestra

Bathrooms: 

  • divided into the binary with a sign that says “You are encouraged to use the restroom that best fits your gender identity or expression”

  • located, from the top of the stairs, with women’s straight ahead and men’s right around the corner. Each restroom has accessible stalls and the accessible single-user restroom is down the far ramp (that kinda goes over the stairs) to the left.

Other theater accessibility:

  • this specific theater is located in the wider Signature complex on the second floor around the corner to the left of the stairs

  • most rows have steps up or down to them

  • they offer induction loops and assistive listening devices

  • they have select ASL-interpreted, open-caption, and audio-described performances

If you would like more visual information as to what this building looks like and how to navigate it, Signature has both a virtual tour and a visual story with all available access information, including photos of all of the spaces, information on where to park, and anything else you may need. There is also an access tour of the building on my/Signature’s instagram.

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

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • I had one earplug in during the show, I honestly don’t think I needed it past the opening of both acts 

  • I’m not going to warn for each moment of blood/gore, it is fairly consistent throughout 

  • the aisles, including in the mezzanine are utilized

  • the sensory accessibility of this show is similar to that of Oedipus, Call Me Izzy, and Sweeney Todd

Act I:

  • begins with a very quiet low rumble followed by a few loud bangs with quick white light shifts on each, one of which is a slow wash over the audience– not strobey, but bright (lasts about 10 seconds total)

    • crescendos into slightly loud cheering sounds briefly, those appear again in spurts between various lines

  • bright white LEDs from the back wall/ceiling pointed at the audience after “commit my cause in balance to be weighed” for ~20 seconds. They do not move, just a bit bright 

  • scream after “spare my firstborn son” 

  • some slow alternating blue/pink/purple down lights when the table is wheeled in – they are low contrast and continue through the scene but it’s not very noticeable. Contrast becomes a bit higher after the kiss for ~30 seconds, but not too flashy or straining

  • some sexual content after the gold bars appear, whole sequence lasts maybe 3 minutes after the first shirt comes off

  • hunting scene has some haze in the sky that builds

  • moment of attempted and then successful sexual violence begins after the knives appear, includes lots of screaming and major blood warning. Whole sequence lasts about 5 minutes.

  • Flashlights turned toward the audience slightly (house left) after pointed in the hole, not super high-contrast

  • some screaming after knife is pulled out during the conversation around hands

  • loud crescendo ending in a white flash into blackout

Act II:

  • begins almost identically to Act I

  • sounds of pain and suffering after “Go to the Empress; tell her this I said”

  • increasing haze in the sky once the noose appears (noose is not used for its intended purpose)

  • some violence once the the three people in aprons walk toward a pair of characters

  • quick shift to a harsh red with a loud sound for ~3-5 seconds after the electric carving tool comes out

  • sounds of struggle after “triumpé”

  • some retching noises after the pie discussion, followed by various sounds of pain and dying 

  • bright blue LEDs from the back wall/ceiling pointed at the audience after “I do repent it from my very soul” - then the audio gets a bit loud, crescendo into a blackout with white LEDs pointed at the audience briefly

Content Advisory

  • significant blood/gore (including limbs in bags and graphic descriptions of injuries)

  • sexual violence 

  • weapons & firearms, but no gunshots

  • death & murder 

  • some discussions of infanticide

  • some moments of sexual humor