Theatre is For EveryonE
Services for people with mobility disabilities
- Wheelchair accessible seats in our Downstairs, Ensemble and 1700 Theaters
- A courtesy wheelchair, available on a first-come/first-serve basis through our Front of House office (312) 932-2445
- Accessible parking spaces in our valet parking lot at 1700 N Halsted, just north of the theater
- Wheelchair accessible restrooms in all of our lobbies
- In our Downstairs Theater, wheelchair accessible seats and seats without stairs are available in the back rows of both the Main and Balcony levels
- In our Ensemble Theatre, wheelchair accessible seats and seats without stairs are available in both the front and back rows
- In our 1700 Theater, wheelchair accessible seats and seats without stairs are available in the first row
Services for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing
- Induction loop on all theatre spaces
- Complimentary assistive hearing devices in all theatre spaces
- Open-captioned performances of our subscription and Steppenwolf for Young Adults plays
- American Sign Language-interpreted performances of our subscription and Steppenwolf for Young Adults plays
- ASL students from local universities who volunteer as ushers for ASL-interpreted performances
Assistive hearing devices for all theaters are available at the book shop and Guest Services desk, located across from coat check in the main floor lobby.
Induction Loop in All Theater Spaces
If you use a hearing aid or cochlear implant that has a T-Coil, feel free to turn it on for any performance!
If you use the loop, we would love to hear about your experience—we’re always fine-tuning the system, and all feedback is helpful. Please ask any member of our customer service staff for a survey to complete, or email access@steppenwolf.org.
Assistive Listening Devices
Separate from our induction loop, our assistive listening system–available in all theater spaces–features FM headsets and over-the-head headphones.
Headsets are available for complimentary loan at the book shop and Guest Services desk, located across from coat check in the main floor lobby.
Upcoming Open Caption Performances:
Sanctuary City: Thursday, October 12th at 7:30pm and Saturday, October 21 at 3pm
POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Triying to Keep Him Alive: Thursday, November 16 at 7:30pm and Saturday, November 25 at 3pm
a home what howls (or the house that was ravine): Saturday, February 17 at 3pm
Purpose: Thursday, April 4 at 7:30pm and Saturday, April 13 at 3pm
The Thanksgiving Play: Thursday, May 16 at 7:30pm and Saturday, June 1 at 3pm
Untitled: Saturday, July 13th at 3pm and Thursday, July 18th at 7:30pm
Upcoming ASL Performances:
Sanctuary City: Friday, October 13 at 7:30pm
POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Triying to Keep Him Alive: Friday, November 24 at 7:30pm
a home what howls (or the house that was ravine): Saturday, March 2nd at 3pm
Purpose: Friday, April 12th at 7:30pm
The Thanksgiving Play: Friday, May 24 at 7:30pm
Untitled: Friday, July 12 at 7:30pm
Services for people who are blind or have low-vision
- Audio-described performances of our subscription and Steppenwolf for Young Adults plays
- Touch tours and artistic conversations before selected audio-described performances of our subscription and Steppenwolf for Young Adults plays
- Playbills in Braille, large print and audio formats
- Dedicated curb-to-seat assistance on request
- A relief area for service animals in front of the theater
Audio-Described Performances and Pre-Performance Touch Tours
Audio-described performances and pre-performance touch tours and artistic conversations are presented on the dates below. For these specific performances, the touch tour begins 90 minutes before curtain. To find out when a particular show will be offering an Audio-Described performance or pre-performance Touch Tour, please check the respective shows production page in the Tickets & Events section.
Upcoming Audio-described Performances:
Sanctuary City: Sunday, October 8 at 3pm (1:30pm touch tour, 3pm curtain)
POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Triying to Keep Him Alive: Sunday, November 19 at 3pm
a home what howls (or the house that was ravine): Saturday, February 24 at 3pm (Touch-tour at 1:30pm, curtain at 3pm)
Purpose: Sunday, April 7 at 3pm(1:30pm touch tour, 3pm curtain)
The Thanksgiving Play: Sunday, May 26 at 3pm (1:30pm touch tour, 3pm curtain)
Untitled: Sunday, July 7th at 3pm (1:30pm touch tour, 3pm curtain)
Relaxed/sensory-friendly performance
Relaxed/Sensory-Friendly performances are designed to create a safe and welcoming experience for guests who may include (but are not limited to) individuals on the autism spectrum, as well as people with sensory sensitivities. Family members and companions are welcome, as is anyone who might enjoy this relaxed environment.
Sanctuary City will have a RSF performance on Saturday, October 28th at 3pm).
A WELCOMING SPACE
While there are some simple sensory adjustments that are made to make a Relaxed/Sensory-Friendly performance (see below), the most significant modifications are philosophical and attitudinal.
For this performance, we acknowledge that some guests will respond differently to the environment and stimuli by making noise, moving and leaving their seats… and that's okay. Everyone in the theater for this show—from the performers to the ushers to all of the audience members—are excited to be helping make this experience possible.
SOCIAL SUPPORT
In advance of everyone's visit, we'll share a detailed narrative about what it's like to visit Steppenwolf—from arrival in the parking garage to the role of the ushers to what it means when the lights in the lobby flash. We'll also share an overview of the play that includes a plot outline and an introduction to the characters.
We've enlisted a great team of volunteers who will be placed throughout the lobbies and theater to help with wayfinding and offer warm support.
In the lobby, we'll have a quiet area set up where guests can go if they want to take a break and relax.
PRODUCTION ADJUSTMENT
A Relaxed/Sensory-Friendly performance takes into consideration those aspects of a production that can be challenging or triggering for guests and seeks to adjust them accordingly. While we will make some sensory adjustments, we will not change the essential artistry of the play.
Working with a team of experts who are experienced with sensory sensitivities, we will make adjustments that may include:
- Lowering light and sound cues
- Eliminating loud or jarring effects
- Leaving some of the house lights on so the theater won't be completely dark
- Leaving some seats empty so that guests can move about during the performance
- Keeping a theater door open for easy exiting and reentry during the performance
Buying Tickets and Requesting Services
When purchasing tickets for an accessible performance, please indicate that you are interested in the service that's being offered -- that will allow us to give you the best possible seats and assistance.
In person: 1650 N Halsted
Phone: (312) 335-1650
E-mail: access@steppenwolf.org
Box Office Hours
Tuesday – Saturday: 12–5pm CT*
Closed Sunday and Monday+
*Open until 6:30pm on days with evening shows
+Open 12–1:30pm on Sundays with matinees, open 12–6:30pm on Sundays with evening shows
Please note that there is no walk-up window in the remodeled Downstairs Theater lobby. Box Office staff will only be available in person during the hour before a show.
NPR Illinois: Community Voices: Growing Accessibility and Compassion in the Chicago Theater Community
Special Thanks
John Hart and Carol Prins are Steppenwolf’s Lead Underwriters for Accessibility Programs.