Pentacle Theatre Expands Live Captioning Services Through Partnership with Cue Captions

Pentacle Theatre is pleased to announce the continued offering of its live captioning services through an ongoing partnership with Cue Captions, a locally founded company dedicated to  making live theater accessible to Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing audiences. This partnership reflects Pentacle Theatre’s commitment to ensuring that all members of the community can experience the magic of live performance without barriers.

Cue Captions was founded by Ben Cavaletto, a professional interpreter and captionist since 2005. “I couldn’t  be happier about working with Pentacle Theatre for another season,” said Cavaletto. “We’re not only making  theater more accessible for Deaf and Hard of Hearing patrons, but also for second language learners, people with auditory processing disorders, and anyone who benefits from captions.” 

After inviting a deaf family member to a show, Cavaletto began considering how live performances could  better support audience members who are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. He tested an experimental captioning  process during the September 2024 Pentacle production of Clue: On Stage, and the feedback was clear: keep going. 

Audience feedback consistently emphasized that accessible text at eye level increased flexibility in terms of watching the stage, and thoughtfully timed captions dramatically enhanced the overall experience. Several community members shared how moved they were to feel included in a space that had not always been accessible to them.  

It was this overwhelmingly positive response that inspired Cavaletto to establish Cue Captions, partnering  with community theaters to provide high-quality, reliable, and artistically mindful captioning services.  

Cavaletto attributes part of his early success to having the right partner. “Pentacle Theatre has been very  supportive, which helped us take off. In the 2025 season, Cue Captions has served 44 captioning users and their families, with some of them returning again and again.” 

“One of my favorite parts of the work is connecting with long-time theater patrons as they discover that they  don’t have to stop attending shows because they don’t hear all the dialogue anymore. I’ve seen people get  emotional when they realize, with the right accommodation, they can keep enjoying theater.  

Pentacle Theatre is Salem's premier community theatre, celebrating 71 years of professional-quality productions staged in an intimate setting. Pentacle Theatre affirms, promotes, and celebrates the participation of all, without regard to race, color, sex, disability, or sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity,  national origin, age, religion, or socioeconomic status.  

Cue Captions’ Vision and Values  

Vision: A world where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people can enjoy live theater without barriers.

Core Values: 

• Quality – Access to the show, not distraction from it  

• Dependability – Because the show must go on  

• Collaboration – Growing better together  

• Innovation – Always improving  

• Inclusion – We all belong at the show  

Supporting Accessibility for the Future  

Pentacle Theatre remains dedicated to prioritizing accessibility for its community. Services like live  captioning have already shown profound impact — opening doors for individuals who have long been excluded from the theatrical experience. As Pentacle continues to grow these offerings, community support plays an  essential role. Sustained donor contributions help ensure that accessibility services remain available, of high quality, and continually improving, allowing Pentacle Theatre to keep fulfilling its mission of inclusion for all.  

Upcoming Captioned Performances at Pentacle Theatre  

Pentacle Theatre is proud to offer captioning at the following upcoming performances. 

You Can't Take It with You - Friday, Feb. 6| Saturday matinee, Feb. 14 

Something Rotten - Friday evening, Mar. 27 | Saturday matinee, Apr. 4 

The Lost Virginity Tour – Friday evening, May 29 | Saturday matinee, May 23 

Rumors – Friday evening, Jul 3 | Saturday matinee, Jul. 11 

Catch Me If You Can – Friday evening, Aug. 21 | Saturday matinee, Aug.29 

Angel Street (Gaslight) – Friday evening, Oct. 9 | Saturday matinee, Oct. 17 

Charles Dickens Writes a Christmas Carol – Friday evening, Nov. 27. | Saturday matinee, Dec. 5 

More information about these performances and ticketing is available at www.pentacletheatre.org.