Accessibility
We believe dance is for everyone.
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is committed to including everyone from our greater Pittsburgh community and beyond in the beauty, discipline, and creativity of dance. We strive to make our company, school and art form accessible to talented and committed students and families.
Theater Accessibility Services
Wheelchair accessibility: The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts features elevators, accessible restrooms and companion seating (available only on the main floor of the theater). Guide dogs are permitted; please inquire when purchasing tickets. Please inform your ticketing representative when purchasing to take advantage of wheelchair and companion seating.
Braille and Large Print Programs: With assistance from the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children Outreach/Braille Project, PBT makes printed Braille programs available at the Benedum Center for patrons who are visually impaired. Large-print programs also will be available. Please see front-of-house staff at the Benedum Center for a program.
Assistive Listening Devices: Assistive listening devices are available at the Benedum Center for Performing Arts for patrons who desire amplification. Neck loops are available. Please see an usher at the Benedum Center when you arrive to obtain an Assistive Listening Device, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Audio Description: Audio Description is available at select performances for all patrons to hear and experience dance through verbal description that paints a picture in the mind. For more information about our audio description program, including dates and pre-performance sensory seminars, please visit our audio description page.
Closed Captioning will be available for select performances with music with lyrics; offered on request with 3 weeks advance notice. Please contact education@pittsburghballet.org for more information.
Sign language interpretation may be available for performances that use music with lyrics and educational programs only upon request. We kindly request at least 72 hours advance notice before the performance or program dates to ensure that we are able to secure interpreters. Please note for more advanced classes or involved productions, more notice may be required.
Sensory-Friendly Performances: PBT is proud to present a sensory-friendly performances and educational programs. Learn more here.
Audio Program Notes: Audio program notes are produced for each of PBT’s productions. The recordings are produced in collaboration with the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, part of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh system. Listen and learn more here.
For more information about all of the accessibility services at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts, please visit the theater’s accessibility page.
Byham Center for Dance Accessibility
Dance for Parkinson’s: This program, based on the Dance for PD® program, invites people with Parkinson’s, their families, caregivers, and friends, to become participants in the dance process! Learn more here.
Adaptive Dance: Themed around classic story ballets, our adaptive dance classes are designed for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders or other sensory sensitivities. We emphasize creative movement principles and simplified ballet technique within a welcoming and structured studio environment. Learn more here.
Children’s Scholarship Program: This program aims to expose more children to dance at an early age by funding need-based scholarships for talented and committed students from ages 5-8. Learn more here.
PBT in the Community: PBT’s education team brings ballet into neighborhoods, schools and community centers in an effort to engage and inspire more people with the mind-body benefits of ballet and movement. Learn more here.
Contact Us
If you have a special request that is not listed above or have any questions about our accessibility services, please do not hesitate to contact Lindsey Kaine, manager of community programs and accessibility, at 412-454-9128 or lkaine@pittsburghballet.org. A two-week advance notice for accommodations not listed above is kindly requested.