Handheld Individual Captioning System, I-Caption(R) Makes All Performances of 'Wicked' Accessible to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Handheld Individual Captioning System, I-Caption(R) Makes All Performances of 'Wicked' Accessible to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NEW YORK, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Until now the ability to attend live theatre with family and friends or to see a Broadway show on the spur of the moment has been a challenge for the deaf and hard of hearing who require special signed performances or specific seats for complete enjoyment.

I-Caption(R), the new individual captioning system from Sound Associates, Inc., allows deaf patrons to be as spontaneous as anyone else attending live theatre. See http://www.soundassociates.com/

"So much is happening onstage during 'Wicked' that understanding dialogue and song lyrics is crucial to fully enjoying this show," said T. Richard Fitzgerald, theatrical sound designer and CEO of Sound Associates, Inc. "I-Caption provides a seamless transcription so deaf theatre patrons can follow onstage dialogue and song lyrics conveniently and unobtrusively,"

I-Caption is the latest innovation in assistive technology employing a handheld wireless unit that displays dialogue and lyrics in text, in real time from any seat in the house. I-Caption is now available for all performances of the multiple Tony Award-winning musical "Wicked" playing at the Gershwin Theater, as well as the national touring company of Big River.

The I-Caption system features a proprietary handheld unit that displays the text of the entire show verbatim, including lyrics and dialogue. The text is automated and synchronized with sound and lighting cues to accommodate pacing variations from performance to performance. A polarized screen keeps nearby patrons from being distracted by light or moving text.

"Using assistive technology, our goal is to make every performance available to all theatre lovers," said Fitzgerald, the designer of the I- Caption system who received a Tony Award in 1980 for introducing the Infrared Listening System to Broadway theatres.

"We want to break down the barriers that blind, deaf, hearing impaired, non-English speakers and senior citizens face daily by providing technology to make their live theatrical experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible," said Anne Tramon, vice-president of the Sound Associates Infrared Division.

In addition to I-Caption, Sound Associates' ShowTrans(TM), the automated multilingual commentary service for non-English speaking audiences, is currently available for "Wicked." D-Scriptive(TM), an audio description service for the blind, will be in place shortly.

For over fifty years Sound Associates has been supplying sound equipment to the performance industry, offering the best in assistive listening for professional or personal use and is synonymous with infrared listening.

To reserve I-Caption call 212-582-7678 in advance or simply pick up a unit at the Infrared Listening System distribution center in the theatre lobby. There is no charge to use I-Caption.

"Wicked" is currently playing at the Gershwin Theater, 222 W. 51st Street. For ticket information visit http://www.wickedthemusical.com/


Source: Sound Associates, Inc.

CONTACT: John Carney, +1-212-477-0472, jmprmedia@aol.com, for Sound
Associates, Inc.

Web site: http://www.soundassociates.com/
http://www.wickedthemusical.com/

Note to editors: I-Caption photo, interviews available. Reporters are invited to a performance of "Wicked" to experience using I-Caption.

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