Shotgun Players is committed to creating a theatre experience that embraces audiences and artists of all abilities. We are always looking for new ways to make our events inclusive and accessible. 

If you have questions or concerns about your specific access needs, email boxoffice@shotgunplayers.org, or call 510-841-6500 ext. 303

ACCESSIBILITY

ACCESSIBLE SEATING

ADA seats A1-A4 are reserved for guests with hearing, sight, mobility, or other access needs and their companions. These seats are non-fixed padded chairs which can be removed to accommodate a guest's wheelchair or electric scooter as needed.

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE ASHBY STAGE!

Virtual tour of the Ashby Stage

WHEELCHAIRS AND MOBILITY DEVICES
If you plan to sit in your wheelchair or electric scooter during the performance, please contact the box office in advance of the performance so we can be sure to best prepare the space for your arrival. If you do not plan on staying in your mobility device during the performance, our staff can assist in storing mobility devices during the performance. We are also happy to store walkers, canes, braces, or crutches for you to collect after the performance.  Our lobby does get crowded 20-30 minutes before performances. We suggest arriving as earlier (our lobby opens one hour prior to the performance) to avoid crowds and more comfortably access the restrooms and concessions.

ACCESSIBLE RAMP ENTRANCE
The stairless, wheelchair-accessible entrance to the Ashby Stage is on the left (west) side of the building, on Martin Luther King Blvd. When you arrive at the theater, let the front of house staff know you need to use the side entrance, and we'll be happy to assist.

MASKED-AUDIENCE PERFORMANCES
We understand that there are many members of our community who prefer to gather in masked spaces. To make our performances accessible to as many people as possible, we offer select Sunday "Masked Audience" performances. Food and drink will still be available at our concessions and can be enjoyed outside, but there is no eating or drinking inside the theater during these performances as all audience members, ushers, and staff will be required to wear masks. Performers will be unmasked while on stage during the perforamnce. Upcoming masked-audience performances:

RESTROOMS AT THE ASHBY STAGE
Restrooms at the Ashby Stage are all-gender. Please note that we have restrooms on both the left and the right of the front entrance. ADA accessible restrooms are on the left-hand when you enter the lobby. Each restroom has a slightly different configuration, so please be sure to check the signage on the doors to find the restroom that best suits your preferred facilities and desired level of privacy. Or, just ask our helpful staff, and we're happy to point you in the right direction!

SPECIAL ACCESS NEEDS
If you have a medical condition that makes it difficult for you to sit for long periods of time, or if you have any other special needs with which our team may assist, please alert us at the time you book your tickets. We will be happy to assist with seating recommendations or to see if we can provide specific accomodations to address your accessibility needs.

SERVICE ANIMALS
Shotgun welcomes service animals into the theater! However, due to the small size of our space, you must contact the box office in advance of your scheduled performance to ensure everyone, including your service animal, has adequate space to sit comfortably and enjoy the performance.

FOR GUESTS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION

For every mainstage production, we partner with Gravity Access to provide a live audio description and a pre-show Haptic Tour. For sighted patrons, these performances are otherwise the same as any other evening.

LIVE AUDIO DESCRIPTION PERFORMANCES

During these performances, you may use devices provided by Gravity Access to listen to a live audio description of the show. The narration guides the listener through the performance with concise, objective descriptions of new scenes, lighting, costumes, facial expressions / body language, and "sight gags," all slipped in between portions of the actors' dialogue or songs. 

HAPTIC TOURS

The pre-show haptic tour allows patrons to experience the space, performers, costumes, and props through touch, their own movement, hearing, and kinesthetic senses. Usually lasting 20 to 30 minutes, these tours lay a multi-sensory foundation to support the audio description. Doors for pre-show Haptic Tours open at 3:45 PM for check-in. We recommend arriving early as tours begin promptly at 4 PM. The audio-described performances start at 5 PM.

To RSVP for the audio description service, the pre-show Haptic Tour, or both, ​​​​​​contact the box office. Upcoming Haptic Tour / Audio-described performances:

FOR GUESTS WHO ARE DEAF OR HAVE HEARING LOSS

ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES 

Shotgun Players offers in-ear assistive listening devices (ALDs) to amplify sound (Sennheiser brand). These devices are soft, in-ear pods with a volume control that hangs beneath your chin. If you or a member of your party would like an ALD, you may check out a device free of charge at Will Call. We will request and securely hold an ID or credit card for the duration of your time with the device. 

ASL-INTERPRETED PERFORMANCES

We've partnered with Velvet Hands Interpreting Services to provide ASL (American Sign Language)-interpreted performances on specific dates. ASL interpreters will be visible from every seat in the theater, with the specific location varying depending on the production. To access exclusive seats with the closest views of the interpreters, please reach out to the box office, or select the red "ASL Only" seats when choosing your seats.

Upcoming ASL-Interpreted performances:

  • Thirty-Six - Sunday, December 8 - BUY TICKETS - ASL INTERPRETATION BY: Stephanie Foisy and Dane Lentz
  • 2025 ASL-interpreted performances will be announced here. Check back for updates!

CAPTIONED VIDEO CONTENT

Our video-on-demand performances have closed captioning which can be turned on or off. Video-on-demand performances have ended for the 2024 season. Check back soon for more information about select video-on-demand offerings for our 2025 season.