ACCESSIBILITY

Access to art and culture is an integral part of human rights, but there are still numerous barriers in the cultural sector. Through surtitling and accessibility solutions, Panthea helps to reduce these barriers in performing arts. To achieve this, we continuously work on innovative solutions, while building on knowledge acquired over the years.

One measure to make theatre and opera more accessible are captions for audiences who are Deaf or hard of hearing that can either be displayed on screens visible to all audience members (open captions), or individual mobile devices (closed captions). Furthermore, videos in sign language or audio descriptions and audio titles for blind and visually impaired people can also be broadcasted.

We also support projects where accessibility is considered from the very beginning of the artistic creation process. The concept of accessibility aesthetics can, for example, be implemented through creative captions or integrated audio descriptions.

We always work with qualified experts who not only bring in-depth technical knowledge, but also extensive field experience.

We help theatres, opera houses, and festivals to develop and install modular or permanent surtitling systems to improve the accessibility of their programming.

Let’s work together to make performing arts ever more accessible!

What content does Panthea offer to reduce barriers for Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences?

Classic surtitles: Similar to subtitles in the cinema.

Descriptive surtitles: These are surtitles in the same language, supplemented with character names, descriptions of sounds and music, as well as indications of intonation and vocal delivery.

Sign language: Pre-produced video content in sign language that translates on-stage dialogue. These videos can be displayed individually on mobile devices.

What content does Panthea offer to reduce barriers for blind and visually impaired people?

We work together with experts to provide audio description solutions in the theatre. Stage actions and important movements can be described during pauses in speech on stage, which can reduce visual barriers on stage.

If a performance contains foreign-language parts that are surtitled, these can also be reproduced as audio titles.

What content does Panthea offer to reduce barriers for people with learning disabilities?

Stage language can sometimes be challenging for some audience members; in these instances, the use of plain language or easy-to-read texts can help improve comprehension. Panthea provides the creation and translation of surtitles in plain language, with a commitment to involving target group representatives throughout the development process.

How can foreign-language plays be made accessible to children?

To accommodate younger spectators who may have a slower reading speed, an audio titles can be provided: texts are pre-recorded and then delivered vocally via an audio headset.

The ‘panthea.live Chrysalide’ project

• more than 1,000 spectators
• more than 100 accessible performances

The ‘panthea.live Chrysalide’ project is a partnership in northern France between the Opéra de Lille, the La rose des vents – scène nationale Lille Métropole Villeneuve d’Ascq, TANDEM – scène nationale Arras Douai and Panthea.

The aim of the project is to make performances offered at these venues and on tour more accessible to Deaf, hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired audiences.

The project is funded by the French state as part of the ‘Augmented Experience of Live Entertainment’ measure of the cultural and creative industries sector (ICC) of France 2030, operated by the Caisse des Dépôts.