NEW ACCESSIBILITY INITIATIVES ANNOUNCED
Wagner College Theatre is thrilled to announce two new initiatives designed to make its upcoming Main Stage productions of PICNIC and FIRST LADY SUITE more accessible, inclusive, and affordable to the Staten Island community and beyond.
As part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring that live theatre can be enjoyed by everyone, Wagner College Theatre is introducing Pay-What-You-Will rush tickets and live captioning at select performances this season.
PAY-WHAT-YOU-WILL RUSH TICKETS
Guests can purchase Pay-What-You-Will tickets in person at the Box Office beginning at 7:00 PM for two special evening performances:
- PICNIC – Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM
- FIRST LADY SUITE – Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Audience members can choose their own ticket price—with a minimum of $10—making world-class collegiate theatre more affordable for all.
“Pay-What-You-Will is about removing barriers to great theatre,” said Theatre General Manager Michelle Siemens. “It’s an invitation to experience top-tier talent while supporting the future of American theatre, one ticket at a time.”
LIVE CAPTIONING FOR MATINEES
In a major step toward accessibility, live captioning will be available for the first time during select 2:00 PM matinee performances, benefiting Deaf and hard-of-hearing audience members as well as those who benefit from visual reinforcement:
- PICNIC – Saturday & Sunday, November 22–23, 2025
- FIRST LADY SUITE – Saturday & Sunday, March 14–15, 2026
Live captions, accessible via audience members' smartphones, will be provided in real-time through Verbit, a leader in AI-powered transcription technology.
“This is an important step forward for us,” said Siemens. “We’re committed to creating an inclusive space where all audience members can fully experience the power of live theatre.”
About the Productions
- William Inge’s PICNIC – A Pulitzer Prize-winning drama that explores themes of desire, expectation, and disruption in a quiet Midwestern town.
- Michael John LaChiusa’s FIRST LADY SUITE – A stirring chamber musical offering a behind-the-scenes look into the private lives of America’s First Ladies and the women who surrounded them.