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Bridget Melton is an award winning audio describer, most recently for her narration work on Steppenwolf Theatre’s “Duchess! Duchess! Duchess!” (SOVAS) and for her work live extemporaneously describing the 2021 Presidential Inauguration (Vernon Henley Media Award). Her description work runs the gamut from virtual and live events to theatrical performances, to recorded media as a writer, narrator, or both. Her screen work can be found on streaming services such as Disney+ and HBO Max, and she spent three years as the main describer for “Hamilton” during its Chicago residency.  Active in the cultural accessibility community for many years, she works to create a welcoming environment for all.  Around the United States, and virtually, she can be found at various theatres promoting inclusion as an audio describer, advisor, or volunteer. She holds a BFA in Theatre Studies from SMU Meadows School of the Arts in Dallas, TX.

Training and Continuing Education:

• Audio Description Training Retreats:

  Writing for the Screen Intensive

• VocalEyes UK / Royal Holloway:

  “Creating Audio Description: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion”

• The Kennedy Center - LEAD Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability Annual Conference:

  "Developing Audio Description Skills" Capacity Building Workshop with Audio Description Solutions

• Chicago Cultural Accessibility Consortium workshop:

  "Visual Language, Verbal Description and Multisensory Strategies" with Annie Leist, Special Projects Lead at Art Beyond Sight

• AccessGA webinar:

  "Audio Description: Multimedia Strategies that Benefit Everyone" presenter Christopher Delano, Audio Description Specialist at AMAC

• Acting Studio Chicago:

  Beginning Voiceover with Norm Boucher 

• SMU Meadows School of the Arts:

  BFA in Theatre Studies, cum laude 

Speaking Engagements:

• Podcast interviews and press can be found here.

• Presenter - “Default Bias in Audio Description” at The Kennedy Center LEAD Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability Annual Conference 2024.

• Presenter - “Audio Description for Virtual Events”

  as part of “Accessibility for Virtual Programs: A Technical Step by Step”

  presented by Illinois Cultural Accessibility Network (ICAN), May 2021. reprised for Arts and Disability Ireland, October 2021.

• Presenter - “Audio Description for Higher Education”

  Accessibility and Inclusion series at Ellucian: Software and Services for Higher Education, September 2020

• Presenter - "Implementing Audio Description"

  The Fifth Not-So-Annual Chicago Theater (un) Conference 2017 presented by Theater Wit, August 2017

• Guest Lecturer - "Front of House and Box Office Customer Service Best Practices"

  UIC School of Theatre and Music, Practicum in Theatre Administration, September 2015, 2017

Awards:

• 2021 Vernon Henley Media Award, presented by American Council of the Blind

  The Vernon Henley Media Award is presented to a person or organization who has made a positive difference in the media–whether in radio, TV, magazines, or newspapers–which may change public attitudes to recognize the capabilities of people who are blind, rather than focusing on outdated stereotypes and misconceptions. The 2021 award is presented to the Presidential Inauguration Committee and audio describers Martin Wilde and Bridget Melton for their work on the unprecedented access of the 2021 Presidential Inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris, providing over nine hours of coverage of the day's events.

• 2021 Winner, Outstanding Audio Description - Theatrical Performance - Best Voice Actor, presented by SOVAS.org

Award received for my work on Steppenwolf Theatre Company's filmed play "Duchess! Duchess! Duchess!" by Vivian J.O. Barnes, directed by Weyni Mengesha, and featuring ensemble member Celeste M. Cooper with Sydney Charles. I am very proud to receive this award for work I not only voiced, but also scripted and produced.