What is open captioning?
Open captioning involves displaying text on a screen or monitor that shows the spoken dialogue, sound effects, and other relevant audio information during a performance.
How does open captioning differ from closed captioning?
Open captions are visible to everyone in the audience, whereas closed captions can be turned on or off by the viewer, typically used in television or online videos.
How and where are the captions displayed?
Captions are typically shown on an LED screen or monitor placed near the stage or in a location where they are visible to the audience without obstructing the view of the performance. In the Claire Shulman Theater, monitors are on either side of the stage, and sometimes captions will also be projected onto a screen at the back of the stage. Seats with the best views are noted with an OC icon on the seat map.
Who provides the captions during a performance?
For live, unscripted events, a trained captioner transcribes what is being said in real time. Scripted performances may have pre-prepared slides which are advanced by an operator.
