New service for the vision impaired at Frankston Arts Centre thanks to Ross de Vent
MUSIC flows through Ross de Vent’s veins.
South East
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MUSIC flows through Ross de Vent’s veins.
Mr de Vent recalls listening to both mum, Jenny, and sister, Kerry, playing piano in the family home when he was a boy.
At the age of five, Mr de Vent lost his eyesight and suffered paralysis down his right side due to a stroke.
His love of music continued to grow and he went on to learn several instruments including the piano and trumpet; he also sang in choirs.
Along with Mr de Vent’s love of music came a passion for musical theatre.
Now 36, the Mt Eliza man is a regular at Frankston Arts Centre with friends sitting beside him explaining scenes as well as other details such as the facial expressions of actors.
But Mr de Vent felt there had to be better way for vision impaired people to experience live shows and began working with Description Victoria — an organisation that aims to create accessible and inclusive arts experiences for people who are blind or have low vision.
His tireless advocacy has resulted in a new service at Frankston Arts Centre in which patrons with impaired vision will be able to walk through theatre sets an hour before the production and touch the props.
They can also listen to live audio during shows detailing actors’ the facial expressions as well as what is occurring on stage between dialogue.
Mr de Vent said he was rapt with the service and hoped it would be picked up by other arts centres.
He said it was essential that live shows were accessible to all.
“I love the way the arts can reflect reality back to the audience — you are seeing your own life on stage or in the exhibition,” he said.
Mr de Vent said the service would help give the vision impaired a full theatre experience.
The service will be available for Ilbijerri Theatre Company’s production of Which Way Home (June 14) and again in August for Red Stitch Theatre’s Jurrasica.