Audio Description
PBT offers audio-described performances for patrons with blindness or low vision, or anyone interested in listening to a live narration of the production.
Patrons experience the performance through verbal description of the action on stage, including choreography, story line, scenery and costumes. All performances are at the Benedum Center for Performing Arts unless noted.
2022 – 2023 Season
Storytelling in Motion: Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 at 2 p.m. at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center
The Nutcracker: Friday, Dec. 16, 2022 at 12 p.m. (sensory-friendly performance) and Sunday, December 18, 2021 at 2 p.m. Dracula: Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023 at 2 p.m.
The Masters Program with the PBT Orchestra: Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 2 p.m.
The Sleeping Beauty with the PBT Orchestra: Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 2 p.m.
For questions or to register for audio-described performances contact accessibility@pittsburghballet.org or 412-454-9128.
At the theater: Sign out a headset for an audio-described performance at the Guest Services Center located directly next to the elevator in the Benedum Center lower lobby. An ID is required to borrow a headset. Please see an usher when you arrive for more assistance.
Ballet Audio Notes
Swan Lake Audio Synopsis and Program Notes
The Nutcracker Audio Notes
Audio Notes for Previous Performances
Listen to select notes from past seasons!
West Side Story Suite + In the Night + Fancy Free
Giselle Audio Synopsis and Program Notes
Dracula Audio Synopsis and Costume Description
Romeo and Juliet Audio Synopsis
Beauty and the Beast Synopsis and Program Notes
PBT is grateful to the Carnegie Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped for making this service possible by providing narrators, recordings, and technical support.
Other Resources
- Large-print and braille programs also are available at the theater.
- VocalEyes Ltd, a UK charity devoted to audio description and accessibility of all arts and cultural genres, has wonderful resources about audio description for dance.
- For more information about PBT’s accessibility services, please visit our accessibility page.