12/17/2024
Supporting the Arts
The Smith Center has always strived to make its events accessible to everyone in the community. That’s now more possible than ever, thanks to a generous donation by one of the performing arts center’s Member families.
The Johnson Family – Samantha, Scott and Emmett – helped make possible the acquisition of new technological devices that will augment the Reynolds Hall experience for guests in need of auditory or visual assistance.
The Smith Center is now in possession of 32 audio devices, which can be checked out free of charge at the Guest Services Desk in the Grand Lobby. Each of those devices offers two services – Assistive Listening and Audio Description.
Assistive Listening boosts the sound coming from Reynolds Halls’ speakers, for those in need of additional amplification. Audio Description, available upon request at least two weeks prior to Broadway shows and select other performances, provides a live narration of the action onstage – set descriptions, character movements and more – for those unable to see it clearly.
The Smith Center has acquired a new batch of headphones, which plug directly into the audio devices, and also has several new induction loops, which allow guests with cochlear implants to stream audio straight to their implant.
Guests who prefer using their own earphones can bypass the audio devices altogether and instead opt to utilize either Assistive Listening or Audio Description through the ListenWIFI app, downloadable for free for either iPhone or Android.
The Smith Center has also upgraded its Closed Captioning service, with the purchase of brand new tablets.
Also importantly, all of these services now run directly on a dedicated Wi-Fi network inside Reynolds Hall, greatly improving connectivity.
“We are happy and proud to support The Smith Center’s ongoing diligent work to be inclusive and to bring their world-class performances to as many people as possible,” The Johnson family said, and The Smith Center and it’s guests are grateful for the important donation.