This is a huge victory for accessibility in the performing world!
Roy Thomson Hall (own by The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall) is the home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and a major venue for large semi-professional or professional ensembles, orchestras and choirs. It opened in 1982. Renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman served as a special advisor to the architects during the design phase to ensure that the venue was fully accessible to disabled performers and patrons at all levels.
However, the choir loft, located on a balcony above the orchestra, was left aside. Choristers access the choir loft either by climbing stairs from the backstage or from the audience lobby by going down three steps. So, since 1982, no performers using mobility devices were able to perform with their choir.
Until now! I performed there at the end of September 2025 and was apparently their very first chorister using a wheelchair. Since 1982! The stairs did not stop me.
First, I asked for a full accessibility assessment of the place, from the green rooms and rehearsal room to the choir loft, before the September concert. Indeed, everything was accessible, I could use ramps and elevators. But I still had to deal with the three steps to access the choir loft.
As a frequent visitor of inaccessible venues and historic buildings, I have a pretty good technique of getting out of my wheelchair and climbing one step after the other while someone (or I) carries my wheelchair up and down. Not the best of solutions. If I can do it, it is not the case for every wheelchair user.
After the concert, I engaged in a conversation with Roy Thomson Hall to see how we could improve the situation. It took several months of discussions, trying several types of ramps, taking into account the limited space around the three steps, and the fact that the ramp should be portable and movable since the choir loft becomes regular seats when not used by a choir.
Today, we did it! We found the ramp that works both for the venue and the performers (right now, me). The picture above shows the ramp installed. Just in time for the next concert I will perform on June 26 with Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, which is already sold out: Elden Ring Symphonic Adventure (which is music from the video game Elden Ring).
44 years after the opening of the venue, this year, 2026, marks the first year of accessibility of the choir loft of Roy Thomson Hall. Thank you to the direction of Amadeus Choir (Kathleen Allan, Natasha Bood, Nila Rajagopal) and the administration of RTH for collaborating with me. I am confident that it will allow more choristers with disabilities to perform in the future.
As you can see, accessibility does not necessarily mean very expensive modifications. However, it means detailed discussions on needs, from both performer and venue sides. If you want help with the accessibility of a venue, don’t hesitate to contact ArtsAbly.
Diane Kolin