Access at undercurrents
Questions?
About Access: If you have questions or suggestions regarding accessibility protocols while you’re at the festival, you can contact Emma (she/they). She is our Associate Artistic Director. You can contact them by email (emma@ottawafringe.com) or in person during the festival. She will respond to all questions within 48 hours.
About Tickets: Do you have questions about buying tickets or about the shows available this year? Please contact our box office: BoxOffice@OttawaFringe.com or by phone 613-232-6162 x 100.
Access Guide
This access guide we outline more details about what you can expect from the access features, how to buy a ticket, how to watch a show, definitions and so much more. For the access guide please click here. The access guide is a Google document. If you require alternative formats please contact Emma here.
*Please note that the button currently links to last year’s access guide. While some of the information will stay the same, an updated access guide will be available January 2025.
Access at this year’s festival
This year at Ottawa Fringe we have several different ways to address your access needs. We have some things available on demand and others by request. We have defined different categories to help you pick the shows that will best meet your needs.
In Person Access:
Wheelchair & Scooter Accessibility
All of our venues are wheelchair accessible. For more information about how to get here, you can check out our access guide. Volunteers are available to assist with parking requests if you’d prefer not to use your wheelchair or scooter in the theatre
Latecomers Allowed
These shows allow you to come into the show after it has started. Please check out the show page or ask the box office for details as to how late you can enter the show. Please note that this applies only to advanced ticket holders and you will be let in only after 7 minutes of the show.
Attendant, Personal Support and Respite workers
We offer complimentary tickets to attendants, PSWs and Respite workers who are attending the festival with their clients. Please contact our box office to reserve your ticket by email BoxOffice@OttawaFringe.com.
Service Animals
We welcome all service animals in all our venues. If required there is some grass available at Arts Court in the courtyard on Nicolas and Daly or across the street in front of the Rideau Centre.
Sensory Backpacks
These are small kits have a few tools to support people with sensory processing needs. These tools can be used to calm and/or stimulate the senses. These kits have ear defenders and fidget toys.
Scent Free
We have recently instituted a scent-free environment for our staff and visitors. Please refrain from wearing perfumes, colognes, and other scented products during your festival visit.
Chill out space
This space is available for you to use throughout the festival from February 7-17 in between shows. You are invited to sit, lie down, stretch, breathe, stim and relax in these spaces. The chill-out space is located between the ODD Box performance space and the Atelier theatre. There will be signage.
Assistive Listening
Select venues will have assistive listening available via the Listen Everywhere app. This is a free smartphone app that you can plug in your own earbuds into your own phone and listen in. This free service supports those who need the sound of the show amplified. Check back closer to the festival for more details.
Online Access:
Transcripts
The transcript or script of the show provides details about what the show will be like. If available, the shows will either share a copy of their script, while others will have an outline. The transcripts are available for free through the online box office and are for personal use only. If a transcript is not available the show page will indicate this.
Content Notes
Content notes provide more details about what to expect. These notes highlight elements of a performance that someone might want to know about to decide if this show is right for them, or to prepare them for seeing the show. These can include but are not limited to flashing lights, loud noises, violence, sexual violence, mental health themes etc. Notes will be available on each show’s webpage, as well as at the box office. To learn more about the content notes click here.
Audio Pre-show note
Shows that are Described will also have an audio note. These audio notes will tell you what the show is about, and provide some visual descriptions of the character(s) and set.
Accessible Show Categories
undercurrents shows can now be searched by their accessible category. Click on the drop down menu search bar on the show page here. A plain text list for accessible shows in English and in French will be available in January 2025.
Accessible Show Listings
Blindside
Audio Described performance of Blindside by Stéphanie Morin-Robert
Saturday, February 8th at 7:00pm
Audio Describer – Drea
Access Consultant – Kim Kilpatrick
To RSVP for audio described performance or to learn more email emma@ottawafringe.com
To purchase tickets, click here.
En sortant de Cochrane
English Captioned performances of En sortant de Cochrane by Alain Lauzon
Thursday, February 6th at 7:30pm
Saturday, February 8th at 2:30pm
To purchase tickets, click here.
Téton Tardif
English Captioned performances of Téton Tardif by Caroline Raynaud
Thursday, February 13th at 7:00pm
Saturday, February 15th at 2:00pm
To purchase tickets, click here.
Daddy’s Issues
English Captioned performances of Daddy’s Issues by Merlin Simard
Friday, February 14th at 6:30pm
Saturday, February 15th at 4:00pm
To purchase tickets, click here.
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