Accessibility Information | Theatre Calgary

General Accessibility

Theatre Calgary is proud to work with Inside Out Theatre to offer select performances accessible to everyone.

This year we offer ASL Interpreted performances, Relaxed Environment performances, and Audio Description performances. See more information and dates below.

Do you have wheelchair seating?
Yes, we have a limited amount of wheelchair seating available for each performance. Please call our Box Office team at 403-294-7447 to book.
Do you offer assistance to hearing-impaired guests?
Yes, we have a limited number of assistive listening devices for low-hearing. Please speak to our Front of House staff at Coat Check on the lower lobby level.
Is there elevator access within the theatre?
You can reach the Orchestra, Mezzanine, and First Balcony sections by elevator. The Second Balcony section can only be accessed by a staircase up from the First Balcony.
I am not in a wheelchair but I find stairs hard to navigate. What seats would be best for me?
Please call our Box Office team for more information at 403-294-7447, Monday: 10am to 5pm MT, Tuesday through Friday: 10am to 6pm MT, Saturday: 12pm to 6pm MT (Closed Sunday)

ASL Interpreted Performances

Theatre Calgary is proud to offer an ASL translated performance for every show in our subscription season.

ASL interpreted performances will be offered once over the run of the production and involve NO changes to the production on stage. The interpreters will stand on the seating level to audience right side of the stage and will be lit accordingly throughout the performance so that our patrons who require this support can see them. There will be two interpreters at each of these performances.

Our interpreters are working very hard to give the most accurate interpretation of the language on stage, so we ask that patrons please refrain from speaking to them during the performance or at intermission. ASL performances are only possible through The Good Host Program operated by Inside Out Theatre.

For our 2024-25 Season, we are pleased to offer ASL Interpreted performances on the following dates. Please click on the dates below to purchase the ASL reserved seating for these performances:

The Play That Goes Wrong
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 - 7:30pm

The Lehman Trilogy
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 - 7:00pm

A Christmas Carol
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 - 7:30pm

A Streetcar Named Desire
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 - 7:30pm

Blithe Spirit
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 - 7:30pm

Awowakii
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - 7:30pm (Note: This performance is general admission, no assigned seats.)

Legally Blonde
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 7:30pm

It added so much to the play, those two ladies were phenomenal, they were actors in their own right conveying the emotions of the songs and actually brought tears to my eyes. Both my husband and I said it just totally enhanced the emotions of the play for us. It was wonderful! I think it’s an asset to go to the play and have the extra interpretation, it was really, really wonderful! It was beautiful to watch.

Theatre Calgary Guest

Relaxed Environment Performances

A Relaxed Environment Performance is intended for those individuals who would like to see theatre but would benefit from a more relaxed experience. Everyone is welcome, and anyone can purchase tickets to attend the relaxed performance but the people who have gained the most benefit from relaxed performances in the past include individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dementia, Sensory Disorders, Young Families with small children (including babies-in-arms) and more! Relaxed performances are made possible by Inside Out Theatre and their Good Host Program.

The Experience

The main goal of a relaxed environment performance is to “relax” the theatre experience through small changes to the audience expectations, environment and production.

Some changes to the overall experience may include:

The lobby doors may be opened early to allow for a more calm, casual entry to the theatre.
A pre-visit visual storyboard will be made available online prior to the production to prepare anyone who is not familiar with the story. This will also include some things to expect during the performance in terms of effects.
Patrons are invited to visit our TC Virtual Tour of the Max Bell Theatre to see first-hand what the environment will look like and to make themselves aware of areas they may want to be familiar with during their visit such as washrooms, bars and emergency exits.
Early reminders will be given about the performance starting so patrons can take their time to find their seat.
Patrons who feel overwhelmed during the performance are welcome to come and go from the performance.
Expectations of complete silence and complete stillness in the audience during the performance will be relaxed to accommodate people for whom this is not realistic.
A flexible intermission to accommodate the needs of the patrons.

The Environment

Some changes to the overall environment may include:

The designation of a “Quiet Space” for those people who feel overwhelmed.
House lighting in the auditorium will not be lowered to complete darkness while the production is on.
Additional staff and support team members to assist with the diverse needs of our patrons.

The Performance

Some changes made to the performance may include:

Limiting the number of abrupt shifts in sound, lighting or effects.
Removal or limiting of any pyrotechnics.
Changes to how close the actors get to the audience.

Each production will deal with the necessary changes to the performance on a case by case basis. These changes are made in consultation with the director and artistic staff to achieve the best experience possible for our patrons while maintaining the integrity of the show and the safety of the people working onstage and backstage.

For the 2024-2025 Season, we are pleased to offer Relaxed Environment performances on the following dates:

The Play That Goes Wrong
Tuesday, September 24, 2024 - 7:30pm

The Lehman Trilogy
Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - 7:00pm

A Christmas Carol
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - 7:30pm

A Streetcar Named Desire
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 - 7:30pm

Blithe Spirit
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 7:30pm

Awowakii
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 - 7:30pm

Legally Blonde
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 7:30pm

Audio Description Performance and Schedule

For blind or visually impaired audience members we provide Audio Described for one performance per show.

During the show an actor describes the visual elements of the performance in real-time through headphones (provided at the theatre).