CALENDAR
In Her Footsteps March 13-15
Plan Your VISIT
Performances are at Apple Tree House
298 Academy Street | Jersey City, NJ
ACCESSIBILITY & SENSORY-FRIENDLY POLICY
Speranza Theatre Company is committed to theatre that’s welcoming and accessible to all. We provide accommodations for physical, sensory, cognitive, and communication needs. Artists, students, and patrons of all abilities are encouraged to reach out—we’ll work with you to ensure full participation.
To request accommodations or ask questions, please get in touch with us at speranzatheatre@gmail.com. For theatre patrons, we recommend reaching out at least two weeks in advance so we can best support your visit.
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Venue Access: The Apple Tree House
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Parking & Entrances
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Reserved accessible parking is available for permit holders behind The Apple Tree House.
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An accessible ramp is located at the rear entrance of the building.
Elevator Access: The Apple Tree House is equipped with an elevator serving the basement, first, and second floors. Signage at the venue will direct you to the elevator upon arrival.
Restrooms: An accessible restroom is located on the second floor. Our house management team is happy to assist with directions.
Service Animals: Service animals are welcome in all public areas of the theatre. When possible, please let us know in advance so we can inform our front-of-house and stage management teams.
Seating & Mobility Support: While most events are general admission, reserved seating is available upon request for patrons with mobility, vision, hearing, or other access needs. Companion and caregiver tickets may be offered when needed.
Speranza prioritizes selecting rehearsal, classroom, and performance spaces that are wheelchair accessible whenever possible. To confirm accessibility for a specific production or program, please contact us in advance.
Sensory-Friendly Performances & Environments: Speranza recognizes that traditional theatre environments can present sensory barriers. We are committed to creating flexible, supportive experiences for neurodivergent individuals, people with sensory sensitivities, people with disabilities, families with young children, and anyone who may benefit from a more relaxed performance environment.
When designated as sensory-friendly, performances may include:
Environment & Performance Adjustments
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Moderated sound levels when possible
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Adjusted lighting with fewer sudden blackouts or intense effects when feasible
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Reduced use of startling or overwhelming sensory elements
Audience Flexibility
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A relaxed atmosphere where movement, quiet vocalization, or leaving and re-entering the space is welcomed
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Flexible seating when possible
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A judgment-free environment—there is no single “right way” to experience a performance
Supportive Spaces & Information
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Access to quiet or low-stimulation areas when available
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Sensory guides or advance information about lighting, sound, and content when possible
Because sensory needs vary widely, we encourage patrons to share specific needs in advance so we can plan accommodations whenever possible
Programs & Playbills: For most performances, Speranza provides printed programs and digital playbills accessible via our website. Alternative formats are available upon request, including:
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Large-print programs
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Braille versions
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Audio recordings
For performances with advanced themes or heightened language, content summaries are available on our website.
Communication Access: When possible, at least one performance per production will include ASL interpretation or captioning. Assistive listening devices may also be available upon request.
Please contact us at least two weeks in advance if you would like to request communication supports or additional accommodations.
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Accommodating Artists and Students with Differing Abilities: Speranza Theatre Company strives to ensure artists and students with disabilities can fully participate in our programs. We communicate directly to understand needs and provide supports—accessible venues, sensory-friendly spaces, assistive listening devices, captioning, visual cues, script adjustments, or virtual participation—whenever possible. When needs exceed our capabilities, we connect participants with services better equipped to assist.
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ADA Grievance Procedure
Speranza Theatre Company takes accessibility concerns seriously and is committed to addressing barriers in a timely and respectful manner.
Any patron, participant, or member of the public who believes they have experienced discrimination on the basis of disability may submit a grievance to:
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Diana Basmajian, ADA Coordinator
Email: dbasmajian@gmail.com
Complaints may be submitted in written or alternative accessible formats upon request and should include a description of the concern and any relevant details.
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Within 15 calendar days of receiving a complaint, Speranza will contact the complainant to discuss the concern and explore possible resolutions. Within 10 calendar days following that discussion, the Speranza Board President, or designee, will provide a written response, in an accessible format when appropriate, outlining the final resolution.
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Speranza prohibits retaliation against any individual who files a grievance or participates in the grievance process.
All records related to grievances will be retained for at least three years. Use of this grievance procedure does not limit an individual’s right to pursue other legal remedies.
TICKET Policies
Please contact speranzatheatre@gmail.com and someone will return your message as soon as possible.
Do you charge for tickets?
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Many of our programs are free, but we ask you to please reserve your space in advance. If you are unable to attend, please cancel your reservation at least 24 hours prior to the performance so that we may offer your ticket to other patrons.
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Programs with a ticket price or fee (that are purchased online or in-person) are charged a nominal transaction fee. These fees cover the cost of the box office service.
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Are tickets refundable?
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There are no refunds for tickets. If you can no longer use your tickets, you may donate them back to Speranza Theatre Company, a 501©(3) organization.
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If you’d like to exchange your tickets, please email us at speranzatheatre@gmail.com. While we cannot guarantee exchanges, we will do everything we can to accommodate you
What if the performance is canceled?
If the performance is canceled, you will be contacted prior to the performance via email. You may reschedule for one of the remaining performances, subject to availability.
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY, and INCLUSION
In our programs, we strive to bring people together for a communal experience, whereby artists meet audience. Each artist and each audience member brings their own unique background to that experience, and the experience is fullest when the backgrounds are the most diverse and unique. We believe we will create the best possible theatre when we have the most diversity of thought, background, and experience represented through and through.
Therefore, we commit to:
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Welcoming diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion throughout the organization and within our audience and the community at large
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Pursuing programs of education and other activities that encourage inclusion and engage and give back to all people of the local community and providing opportunities for our teaching artists to learn practices for teaching students of all abilities, whenever possible
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Being a resource for learning and accountability to the local arts community, and beyond
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Prioritizing the creation of an institutional equity and anti-racism statement and resources on our website, and using our social media platforms to actively engage in anti-racist and LGBTQIA+ communications
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We recognize, as a company that produces theatre by and about women, a special obligation to address the serious underrepresentation of people of women and people of color not only in the highest ranks of leadership but throughout our organization. While seeking diversity in all of its forms across our organizations, we have resolved to make demonstrable strides in these areas first
COVID Protocols
On January 21, 2022, our Board of Directors approved our COVID-19 policies for teachers and students.
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Present proof of vaccination. Speranza will keep a record of all teachers' current vaccination cards.
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Speranza is only working with vaccinated teachers and artists.
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Face coverings are required while teaching a class in a school, even if it is not required by the school. Masks with exhalation valves are not allowed. Recommended masks must be surgical masks with a cloth mask over top, KN95, or KF94, and fit snugly around the face. Please contact Speranza Education Directors for masks,if needed.
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Within classrooms maintain 3ft of physical distance to the greatest extent possible.
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If experiencing any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, loss of taste and smell, chills, shivers, or myalgia (muscle pain, headache, sore throat, diarrhea) immediately contact Speranza Education Directors for further guidance.
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Stay home at least 5 full days after the onset of symptoms or if asymptomatic after the positive test. If no symptoms or symptoms are resolved in 5 days and the individual is free of fever for 24 hours, isolation ends, and should wear a mask for 5 additional days, indoors and outdoors. If severe symptoms were present or if the person has a weakened immune system, the CDC and NJ DOH recommend isolation of 10 to 20 days.
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Exposure to Covid:
COVID exposure for quarantine is defined by the CDC as having come into close contact with any person with COVID for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. This period of contagion covers the 48-hour window preceding the positive COVID test administration. If both parties are masked and at school, unvaccinated students are only designated as close contacts if within 3 feet.
Exposed (designated a close contact) at School if fully vaccinated OR if had COVID within the previous 3 months AND has recovered AND remains without symptoms- No quarantine is needed unless symptomatic. The CDC and NJ DOH recommend monitor for symptoms, testing 5-7 days after exposure and wearing a mask indoors in public for 14 days or until a negative result is received. Following exposure or until they get a negative result. If the exposed vaccinated individual develops ANY symptoms, they must immediately isolate and get tested for COVID.
