Expanse 2026 will feature:

• ASL (American Sign Language)  Interpreted Shows
  American Sign Language Interpreted Performances are performances where ASL interpreters translate the dialogue and songs onstage for patrons who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing into American Sign Language.

• DTI (Deaf Theatre Interpreted) Shows
  Deaf Theatre Interpretation is provided by ASL Interpreters who are D/deaf.

• Captioned Performances
  Open captions are visible to all audience members via screens placed near the stage. No one can enable or disable these captions based on their preferences.

• Relaxed Performances
  A relaxed performance is designed to welcome audience members who would benefit from a more relaxed and inclusive environment, including those with sensory needs or families with young children. People are welcome to come and go from the performance and meet their needs as they see fit. The theatre will be dimly lit but never completely dark, there is a relaxed attitude toward audience movement and noise.

  This show has been audited by trained auditors with lived experience of neurodiversity, and the design team has completed ALL requests to adjust production elements. Lighting, sound, and special effects that may cause overstimulation have been reduced or eliminated completely

• Relaxed Experiences
  A relaxed experience is designed to welcome audience members who would benefit from a more relaxed and inclusive environment, including those with sensory needs or families with young children. People are welcome to come and go from the performance and meet their needs as they see fit. The theatre will be dimly lit but could feature a blackout. There is a relaxed attitude toward audience movement and noise.
  

  
  This show has been audited by trained auditors with lived experience of neurodiversity, and the design team has completed SOME OF the requests to adjust production elements. Lighting, sound, and special effects may cause overstimulation.  Support and fidgets are available in the lobby and/or sensory room

• Sensory Informed Performances
  A sensory informed performance is like a Relaxed Experience in that it offers an accessible option to audience members who may benefit from a more relaxed environment in the theatre (the theatre will still be dimly lit, there will be a relaxed attitude toward coming and going from the theatre and audience movement

  This show has been audited by trained auditors with lived experience of neurodiversity. It has been determined that it is NOT POSSSIBLE to adjust production elements. Lighting, sound, and special effects will cause overstimulation. Support and fidgets are available in the lobby and/or sensory room

• Audio Described Shows

  During an audio described performance those in need of this service will receive an audio commentary via a headset, performed by an audio describer, alongside the dialogue and action of the performance.

  The audio describer will provide a visual description and describe details such as character descriptions, set and prop descriptions, body language, expressions, action and the quality of movement to help create a clearer idea of who is on stage and what is happening. The commentary will be between the dialogue or other sound effects so that it can still be clearly understood and no important information is missed.

• Touch Tours
  Touch Tours are held an hour and a half before a performance where audience members who are Blind or low vision can come and feel the props, set and costumes involved in the show. Other patrons who have sensory considerations may also find touch tours helpful to familiarize themselves with elements of the production before being immersed in a performance setting.
  
  
• Pay-What-You-Can Ticket Structure

This year’s festival’s accessibility coordinator is Carly Neis, who is collaborating with independent consultants, interpreters and audio describers to provide diverse ways of engagement and entry points to the Expanse. This work is also based on many past years in collaboration with The Good Host Program. Any access inquiries and/or feedback can be sent to Carly@azimuththeatre.com