Accessibility at WCT

Western Canada Theatre aims to create a barrier-free environment for everyone coming to the theatre. We want to create a place where all people feel welcome and can maintain their independence and their dignity.

Our work towards improving accessibility is ongoing; we continue to strive to increase our level of accessibility and inclusivity to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in a timely and effective manner. Our accessibility team is happy to have a conversation with you about your access needs and how they may be addressed going forward. Our team can be reached at access@wctlive.ca.

To view a video walk-through of our venues before arriving, see our Venue Guides page.

Accessible & Limited Mobility—Reserved Seating

Accessible seating (i.e. level access from the lobby) is available and reserved at each of our theatres. Seats are reserved through to 15-minutes prior to curtain.

At the Sagebrush Theatre, we also reserve limited mobility seating for those who are only able to walk up or down 2 stairs. These seats are reserved until 72-hours prior to performance.

Accessible and Limited Mobility seats may be booked by speaking with our box office representatives by phone, email or in person—please contact us and advise us of your needs when you book your tickets. Kamloops Live! Box Office: kamloopslive.ca | klbo@kamloopslive.ca | 250-374-5483

Hearing-Assistance Devices

The Sagebrush Theatre is equipped with infrared listening systems provided free of charge for our guests who are hard of hearing. We have a limited supply of headsets; please reserve in advance by contacting the box office—and please bring a piece of photo identification.

Our hearing-assistance devices have a clip-on battery pack, and are compatible with personal headphones using a 1/8” stereo headphone jack and the packs are compatible with up to 2 headsets each. Please bring your own—we can also provide sanitized headsets as well.

Relaxed Performances

A relaxed performance provides the opportunity to attend live performance for those who might benefit from a more relaxed theatre environment. These performances have been adapted to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and can enjoy the show. The adaptations that are made do not change the story or the art of the show, but rather, provide the audience with a more relaxed viewing experience.

Who are Relaxed Performances for?

Relaxed Performances are for everyone! Relaxed Performances are designed with the needs of people with sensory sensitivities in mind, including people living with autism and anxiety. It can also include people who live with Tourette’s, parents with children, and many other groups of people who may have access requirements, or simply like the inclusive environment.

What you might expect from a Relaxed Performance

• The lights and sound have been changed to make things less bright and quieter
• The doors to the theatre will remain open and the auditorium lights will remain on at a low level
• You are free to come and go from the theatre space
• You are free to move around during the performance
• You are free to use communication boards or other electronic devices (we ask that you not take photos)
• A relaxation station will be available in the lobby should you need a break during the show

What shows will Relaxed Performances be offered for this season?

Liars at a Funeral  | Relaxed Performance - Saturday, February 01 at 2pm 
Pride and Prejudice  | Relaxed Performance - Saturday, April 12 at 2pm 

Questions?
If you have any questions regarding Relaxed Performances, please contact Education & Outreach Director, Terri Runnalls, at terri@wctlive.ca or 778-471-9058.

If you would like to attend a relaxed performance but price is a barrier, we have accessible pricing options available. Please contact Box Office at klbo@kamloopslive.ca or 250-374-5483 with questions about accessible pricing. 

*Some of the information on this page is drawn from the British Council as well as Tangled Art+Disability and Include Arts. We thank them for their work. For more information, go to tangledarts.org

Accessible Entry to our Theatres

WCT encourages the use of mobility equipment whenever necessary to improve access to our theatres. Some additional information for those requiring the use of mobility equipment:

• Sagebrush Theatre: The driveway is a “stopping-only” area, and features an accessible roll up walkway. There are two reserved accessible parking stalls in the adjacent parking lot. The main lobby is approximately 4 steps up from the driveway. There is an accessible ramp just past the main entrance to the lobby. The main door to the right side (nearest the ramp) has an automatic door opener.
• Pavilion Theatre: The theatre entrance is level to our parking lot, and there is a reserved accessible parking stall. There are no steps or ramps to navigate, though the parking lot is sometimes uneven and dark at nighttime. The main entry door to the lobby has an automatic door opener.

We recommend that patrons using mobility devices or requiring reserved seating call ahead to book tickets and make arrangements for their visit. Kamloops Live! Box Office: kamloopslive.ca | klbo@kamloopslive.ca | 250-374-5483

Storage of Mobility Aids & Assistive Devices

WCT encourages the use of personal assistive devices such as Patron-Owned electrical equipment and mobility devices whenever necessary or possible in order to improve access. Devices that cannot be stored at the seat will be placed at Row Q if space permits, or within the lobby adjacent to the nearest entry door.

Service Animals

Service animals are welcome at the theatre. WCT acknowledges the personal and unique relationship and dependency that exists between a person with disabilities and their service animal. Examples of service animals include dogs used by people who are blind, hearing-alert animals for people who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing, and animals trained to alert an individual to an oncoming seizure and lead them to safety. It is recommended that patrons with service animals call ahead to book tickets in our accessible or limited-mobility reserved seating areas, and make arrangements for their visit.

General Facility Information

• Scents & Allergies: WCT encourages all patrons coming to our facilities to be “scent-free”. We are sensitive to allergy-related concerns. We are happy to re-seat patrons based on allergy concerns if available seating permits—please speak to an usher about any concerns.
• Universal, Accessible Washrooms: The Sagebrush Theatre has two single-stall, universal gendered, accessible washroom facilities available.
• Infant Changing Table: At the Sagebrush Theatre we have a diaper changing table in one of our single-use stalls.
• Age Appropriate Attendance: WCT publishes the recommended audience age range, any audience content advisories, as well as restrictions. We encourage all patrons to review these advisories here.
• Latecomers: Depending on the performance, latecomers may be seated at an appropriate interval, or may be seated in alternate seats to minimize disruption. We have a video and audio feed in the lobby so that you don’t need to miss any moments onstage.
• Lobby Viewing: Sometimes we need to take a break from the performance in progress. Not to worry—we have a dedicated video and audio feed in the lobby so that you don’t need to miss any moments onstage.