Hands UP Productions

Fifteen years of cinema for liberation — and liberation includes access.

Hands UP interpreters are on the ground at BlackStar all four days: morning shows, panels, spotlight conversations, and every Q&A where the room is talking back to the screen. Deaf audiences shouldn't have to pick between the film and the conversation about it.

BlackStar Film Festival 2026 · August 6–9 · Perelman & The Daily Jawn Stage @ Kimmel, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, The Wilma Theater

Full schedule at blackstarprojects.org/festival —

Access is not an add-on. It's part of the production.

Homework night. 📖

The team previewed The Notebook at the Academy of Music tonight — because interpreting a show doesn’t start at curtain. It starts weeks out: watching, glossing, coaching, learning where every laugh and every gut-punch lands.

Friday night, we’re up. Donna, Brian & Katie MacKavanagh interpret, with Leah Clevenger coaching.

🗓 Friday, July 31 · 7:30 PM
📍 Academy of Music · Ensemble Arts Broadway Series
🎟 Promo code: SIGN2526

Access is not an add-on. It’s part of the production.

Love, even when the memory fades. 💙

We're interpreting The Notebook: The Musical at the Academy of Music — and this one's personal: Donna and Brian are interpreting alongside Katie MacKavanagh, with Leah Clevenger coaching.

🗓 Friday, July 31 · 7:30 PM
📍 Academy of Music · Ensemble Arts Broadway Series
🎟 https://www.ensembleartsphilly.org/series-and-subscriptions/broadway-series/the-notebook
🏷 Promo code: SIGN2526

Come let us break your heart in two languages.

Access is not an add-on. It's part of the production.

The joint is about to be jumpin'. 🎷

We're interpreting Ain't Misbehavin' at People's Light — Fats Waller's Harlem in full swing, brought into ASL live.

Your team: Jackie Carter & Lynn Baskin, with Janessa Carter coaching.
🗓 Sunday, July 26 · 2:00 PM
📍 People's Light, Malvern
🎟 https://www.peopleslight.org/whats-on/20252026-season/aint-misbehavin/

Come swing with us — every note, fully accessible.
Access is not an add-on. It's part of the production.

Some enchanted afternoon… 🌺

We're interpreting Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC at Bucks County Playhouse — Nellie, Emile, that gorgeous score, all of it!

Your interpreting team: Lynn Baskin & Lisette Ortiz, with Beth Applebaum ASL coaching.

🗓 Sunday, July 12 · 1:30 PM
📍 Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope
🎟 Tickets + info: https://bcptheater.org/shows/rodgers-and-hammersteins-south-pacific/

Come spend an accessible afternoon in the South Pacific. Tag someone who needs the getaway. 🌴

Access is not an add-on. It's part of the production.

We had the absolute joy of attending the premiere of Elephant Shoes, a world premiere musical from Deaf West Theatre and Two River Theater — and WOW. It was extraordinary.

This production is a beautiful, funny, moving, and deeply inventive celebration of language, connection, access, and what it means to truly be understood. Every word is signed, spoken, and seen, making the experience accessible for both Deaf and hearing audiences.

Huge congratulations to the entire cast, creative team, production team, and everyone who brought this remarkable show to life.

Seriously: run, don’t walk to see this show.

Elephant Shoes runs at Two River Theater through June 28, 2026.

🎭 ASL Interpreted Performance at People’s Light!

Join us for Two Outta Three, the acclaimed comedy cabaret from 1812 Productions, created and performed by Philly theatre favorites — and real-life married couple — Jennifer Childs and Scott Greer.

This laugh-out-loud show asks: How do we move on when our kids move out? It’s a funny, heartfelt look at what happens when a trio becomes a duo again and two people rediscover the rhythm of their own lives.

📅 Sunday, June 14
🕑 2:00 PM
📍 People’s Light
🎟️ Tickets: bit.ly/TwoOuttaThreePL

Stay gold, Philly. ✨

Join us for the ASL interpreted performance of The Outsiders on Friday, June 5 at 7:30 PM as part of the Broadway Series at Ensemble Arts Philly.

This powerful new musical brings S.E. Hinton’s classic story to the stage with heart, grit, and a whole lot of theatrical fire. Deaf and hard of hearing patrons can enjoy the performance with ASL interpretation provided.

The Outsiders
Friday, June 5 | 7:30 PM
Ensemble Arts Philly
Tickets & info: ensembleartsphilly.org

Because access belongs in every seat — from the Socs to the Greasers.

ROOTS PICNIC ACCESS ANNOUNCEMENT

We’re excited to share that ASL interpreters will be available at all performances during Roots Picnic 2026!

Join us in Philadelphia on May 30–31 for an incredible weekend of music, culture, community, and access.

Whether you’re coming for Jay-Z & The Roots, Erykah Badu, Keyshia Cole, Brandy, T.I., Kehlani, Mariah the Scientist, Jermaine Dupri & Friends, or the full weekend lineup — Deaf and hard of hearing attendees can enjoy the full festival experience with interpreting access throughout the event.

Dates: May 30–31, 2026
Location: Belmont Plateau, Philadelphia
Tickets & info: rootspicnic.com

Come for the music. Stay for the community.