Pre-production: Allocate part of your budget for assisted listening devices and interpreters when planning your entire production and season budget forecast. Save yourself the stress and trouble, and more importantly, do a better job providing accessibility offerings by booking interpreters months in advance. If you have waited until the last minute, you may be able to hire an agency who will send a warm body that will do their best, but that’s not going to provide a good audience experience (see below for average rates and our recommended companies). Another benefit of planning far in advance is that you can add the proper icons and language to your posters, digital media and other marketing, including your ticket pages! Just like all your other patrons, People who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing won't come if they aren’t informed that they are welcome. 

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Tips for a successful experience with ASL Interpreters

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• Interpreters will generally need the same amount of time to prepare as actors! Communicate with your interpreter and do the best you can to allow them flexibility in choosing which performances can offer their live interpretation services.

• Include interpretation in all advertising posters, collateral, assets, press releases, and other copy as soon as day zero (or as soon as possible).

• In-tandem with allocated, pre-determined seating locations for deaf or hard of hearing patrons, your ticketing software should have an accessibility or ticket type option/indicator for “Deaf or Hard of Hearing” during the selection/checkout process, whether the remainder of your seating is sectioned/assigned or not (ala general seating).​

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Marketing to deaf audiences does not happen just because you hire an interpreter. Advertise to deaf audiences! If you don't, and if there are no deaf audience members at your show that is scheduled to be interpreted, the interpreter has no reason to stay for the performance — but you will still be expected to pay them for showing up and preparing.
 

Advertising Outlets to reach Deaf
and Hard of Hearing Communities:

• Promote via your own advertising platforms/campaigns (see above).

• Contact Brian Cheslik, Artistic Director of Deaf Austin Theatre

artisticdirector@deafaustintheatre.org  /  https://deafaustintheatre.org/

• Join & Promote in Austin ASL Theatre Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AustinASLTheatre
Contact Bobby Beth Scoggins, Director of the Statewide Outreach Center at Texas School for the Deaf

bobbiebeth.scoggins@tsd.state.tx.us  /  https://www.tsd.state.tx.us/

Most important for Elementary/Middle/High School-aged Students & Administration

• Contact Ames Biskupiak, Theatre Arts Teacher CTE & MS at Texas School for the Deaf

ames.viskupiak@tsd.state.tx.us  /  https://www.tsd.state.tx.us/

• Contact Ginger Bennett, Director of Interpreter Services at Austin Community College

virginia.bennett@austincc.edu  /  https://www.tsd.state.tx.us/​

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Production: Provide scripts, production schedule, access to read-throughs and run-through rehearsals, comps or invited dress admissions, and video or sound recording of the production if available to help the interpreters prepare. Video or sound recording of other productions should be provided if unable to provide your own. This will help the interpreter prepare and practice.

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• Understand that lighting design needs to incorporate the interpreters’s light. Whether this is controlled by a board operator/stage manager or you are relying on separate fixtures, lights need to be on the interpreter at all times — including during blackouts.

• You shouldn't plan on an interpreter being available for opening night by default, pending discussions you have with the interpreter during the pre-production phase where this can be accounted for.

• Don't be discouraged if turnout for your first couple interpreted shows is less than you were hoping or anticipating. Word of mouth will help increase deaf and hard of hearing audience growth.

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ATX Theatre Interpreting Services Recommendations:

• Ploeger ASL Interpreting Services, LLC

sharon@paslinterpereting.com  /  https://www.paslinterpreting.com

• Shelby Mitchusson at Stardust ASL, LLC

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Average Interpreting Service Costs:

• Roughly $650.00 for first show, per interpreter.

  • Generally you need at least 2 interpreters for smaller productions, and 3 for complex shows & musicals with large casts.

• Roughly $300.00 per show after the first, per interpreter.

  • If you hire theatre interpreters specifically instead of going through an agency, they will be more likely to work with you and accommodate a performance schedule relative to their rates.

If you cancel more than 7 days in advance, you can get a refund.

If you cancel with less than 7 days, pay half of the agreed upon rate.

If you cancel with less than 48 hours, pay the full agreed upon rate.

* Cancellation policies subject to each individual interpreting service.