Hearing impaired woman accused of recording during live theatre show

A woman who was falsely accused of recording a live theatre show has spoken about about the "super embarrassing" experience.

Samantha Coleman, who is hearing impaired, says she was at a recent performance of Hadestown on Broadway in the US when she claims she was called out by lead actress Lilias White "not once but twice" for recording the show when she was simply accessing captioning technology.

"I was sitting in the front row of Hadestown tonight but Lilias White, not once but twice at least, reprimanded me from the stage because she thought my captioning device was a recording device," Coleman shared in a video shared on Instagram.

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"I'm sure she wasn't the only person on the stage that might have thought that. She was the only person however to call me out," the woman continued. "My hearing is such that I need captioning devices and to be ostracised and publicly ridiculed...really hurts.

"It's super embarrassing. The people who need to use these devices should feel comfortable and confident and not be met with shame and embarrassment and anxiety."

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Coleman said she is sharing her story to help raise awareness of the issue to "prevent another horrifying and embarrassing experience for someone else".

Her Twitter post about the incident read: "Today, an actor yelled at me multiple times mid-show for recording a Broadway show, even when I wasn't. I was using a captioning device. My worst nightmare realised."

Her social media supporters were quick to offer their support to the distressed woman.

"They need to realise that not all disabilities are visible," one person said. "This is just unacceptale, theatre is always preached as an inclusive and accepting space and provides very little accessibility."

Another commented: "That behaviour from the actor is so inappropriate. I'm so sorry this happened to you."

One of her social media followers said: "Please don't stop using captioning devices. You deserve to see the theatre and experience it fully."

Producers for the performance reached out to Coleman on Twitter, commenting: "Thanks for connecting with us, Samantha. We're grateful for you bringing this to our attention and we are working with @Jujamcyn to review our policies and internal protocols to ensure this doesn't happen again.

"We look forward to welcoming you back soon."

They later tweeted that they had reached out to the woman privately and were working to "remedy the situation."

Since sharing her story, performer Lilias White has reportedly been on the receiving end of harsh criticism, prompting Coleman to call for calm, explaining a lack of education about the technology is the issue.

She tweeted: "I ask to extend kindness and forgiveness to Ms. White. Her social media pages, particularly Instagram, have been flooded with ageist & racist comments. Please stop harassing her."

Of criticism she has also received Coleman said she recognises "the privilege of being a white woman" making an accusation against a Black woman, commenting: "Ms. White is not a malicious person, nor is she the enemy."

She added that this is about "systemic abelism in society and in the industry – not her. Education is key. Please be kind."