Lyric Opera 2023-2024 Issue 3 - Daughter of the Regiment

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 12 With its innovative SoundShirt program, Lyric leads the way into a new realm of accessibility. always interested in what technology can do for people,” says Brad Dunn, Lyric’s Senior Director of Digital Initiatives and Interim Head of Marketing and Communications. “My framework is, it either needs to solve a problem or to provide some delight and enjoyment and learning.” It’s no surprise that Dunn has led the way on the company’s newest accessibility initiative, the SoundShirt— a pilot program that checks both those aspirational boxes. An immersive new technology, the SoundShirt is a garment, worn like a jacket, that brings the power of touch to live opera. Audience members, particularly those people who are deaf or hard of hearing, will experience the music being played as real-time vibrations. It is the only such program of its kind in the eld of opera. “I am proud that Lyric Opera of Chicago will be the rst opera company in the world to bring this new technology to its live audiences,” says Anthony Freud, Lyric’s General Director, President & CEO. “The SoundShirt reinforces Lyric’s commitment to accessibility and to broadening the impact of our live performances on all audience members.” Designed and built by London-based CuteCircuit, the SoundShirt program is launching in partnership with the City of Chicago’s Mayor’s Of ce for People with Once More,with Feeling By David Zivan All photos Lyric Opera of Chicago Rachel Arfa,commissioner of Chicago’s Mayor’s Of ce for People with Disabilities, was among the garment’s rst testing cohort. “I’m