Audio accessibility partnerships bring clearer sound and greater inclusion to live performances across Vancouver
Summer in Vancouver is filled with world-class theatre and live music, and Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility is proud to help make these experiences more accessible for people who are Hard of Hearing.
Through partnerships with Bard on the Beach, Theatre Under the Stars, and the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, audiences can enjoy enhanced performance audio using Bettear, an innovative assistive listening solution available through a free smartphone app.
Bettear streams live performance audio directly to compatible Bluetooth hearing aids, cochlear implants, headphones, or earphones, allowing users to hear dialogue, music, and announcements more clearly in real time.
The Acting Company of The Merry Wives of Windsor at Bard on the Beach, where Wavefront Centre’s audio accessibility partnership helps audiences experience every line with greater clarity. Photo by Emily Cooper.
Bard on the Beach
At Bard on the Beach (June 9 – September 19, 2026), audiences can enjoy Shakespeare against the backdrop of Vancouver’s waterfront while accessing enhanced audio directly through their personal devices.
The partnership helps ensure more people can experience every line, every scene, and every performance with greater clarity.
Theatre Under the Stars at historic Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park, where Wavefront Centre’s audio accessibility technology helps more people experience every song, scene, and performance. Photo by Shawn Bukhari.
Theatre Under the Stars
Wavefront Centre is also proud to support Theatre Under the Stars (July 3 – August 22, 2026), where audiences attending summer musicals in Stanley Park can stream enhanced audio throughout each performance.
Whether it’s dialogue or musical numbers, the technology helps patrons stay connected to every moment of the show.
Audio accessibility technology helps more people connect with the music, artists, and atmosphere at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Photo by Clayton Wong.
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
In partnership with Wavefront Centre, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival (July 17 – 19, 2026) is offering Bettear audio accessibility at two stages, the main stage and the south stage.
The festival is also offering ASL-interpreted performances on Sunday, July 19, including:
- 12:10–1:15 p.m. – John Smith (South Stage)
- 1:40–2:45 p.m. – Lindi Ortega (South Stage)
- 3:20–4:25 p.m. – Ruby Singh and the Future Ancestors (East Stage)
- 4:45–5:50 p.m. – The Slocan Ramblers (East Stage)
These accessibility features complement the festival’s broader commitment to creating an inclusive experience for all attendees.
Planning to attend? Use promo code WAVEFRONT2026 when purchasing Advance, Gate, or Evening tickets.
Creating more inclusive communities
At Wavefront Centre, we believe communication accessibility should be part of every shared experience, from live theatre and concerts to community events, conferences, museums, and public spaces.
As the Canadian distributor of Bettear, Wavefront Centre works with arts organizations, municipalities, venues, and businesses to implement innovative audio accessibility solutions that help people who are Hard of Hearing participate more fully in everyday life.
Instructional graphic highlighting the five easy steps to use Bettear.
These partnerships demonstrate how simple technology can make a meaningful difference, allowing more people to connect, engage, and belong.
Whether you’re attending Shakespeare by the sea, enjoying a musical under the stars, or spending the weekend at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, accessible listening technology is helping ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the performance.
