Bricolage

ADDITIONAL ACCESSIBILITY INFO: We are committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and welcoming to all patrons, endeavoring to have transparency with programs that may present specific challenges for participation.

Our space at 937 Liberty Avenue is designed for wheelchair access and features all-gender restrooms. We also encourage you to identify any specific accommodations that would make your experience more enjoyable by contacting Fred Frances at 412.471.0999 or fred@webbricolage.org.

Many of our shows also offer the following accommodations:
ASL interpretation, audio description, Braille, and large print programs.

Information on specific program accommodations can be found within the listings for our current season.

Immersive Companions
Immersive Companion Karen Hannon participates in a training run of DODO. • Photo by HG Photography
At Bricolage, our goal is to make our productions enjoyable to people of all abilities. While traditional theater can rely on standardized services like audio description or ASL interpretation for performances, immersive theater requires solutions that are hand-tailored to each show and individual. To preserve the heavily sensory-based and personalized nature of our immersive work, Bricolage began piloting a new kind of accommodation in 2015, officially launching our Immersive Companions program with the premiere of DODO in 2017. You can learn more about the history of the program by reading our press release or checking out this feature in American Theatre Magazine.

How It Works
The Immersive Companions program is offered to attendees who would be otherwise unable to fully experience one of our immersive productions, and is one of the first and most robust accessibility initiatives of its kind. Immersive Companions reach out to the patron in advance of the performance date to discuss their needs, and then accompany them on their journey through an immersive experience, providing assistance only as often as needed. For example, a patron who is visually impaired may be assigned an Immersive Companion who is trained in both sighted guide and audio description. The same participant may also experience changes to the production itself, such as the use of essential oils to emulate the calming effect of a section of the piece that is rooted in light design.

Attending an Immersive Production?
If you’re thinking of attending one of Bricolage’s immersive productions and have any concerns at all – no matter how big or small – about your ability to fully enjoy the piece, please feel free to reach out to us. You can call 412.471.0999, email Fred at fred@webbricolage.org, or describe your concerns in the comments section when purchasing tickets.

Become an Immersive Companion
Our current Immersive Companions include paid specialists, volunteers, and accessibility professionals willing to donate their time to Bricolage to assist in our mission. Immersive Companions enter the program at all skill levels. We welcome all kind, patient, generous people to participate in the program but we’re especially interested in Companions with specialized training and certifications including (but not limited to):

Audio description
ASL interpretation
Federal child abuse clearances
Certified Autism Specialists
Behavioral Therapists
PHDs or advanced degrees in Occupational Therapy
To apply to become an Immersive Companion or to learn more, call 412.471.0999 or email Fred at fred@webbricolage.org.