Community members raise concerns about Forest Theatre accessibility

The Koch Memorial Theatre, better known as the Forest Theatre, is an outdoor, century-old amphitheater that lies on the eastern edge of UNC's campus, but the performance venue's unique positioning has raised concerns about accessibility for some community members.

Donovan Zimmerman and Jan Burger are the co-founders and directors of Paperhand Puppet Intervention, a puppeteering company that has performed at the theatre for nearly 25 years. With the trees, the sounds of the insects and kids running and dancing in the forest, Burger and Zimmerman said the feeling at the theatre can be magical. 

Still, the space lacks permanent restrooms for the audience. Instead, Paperhand rents portable bathrooms. Weather conditions cause issues, as rain floods the pit where musicians play during the show. But the main challenge, Burger and Zimmerman said, is accessibility. 

The amphitheater itself is made up of wide, stone steps. To enter, audience members can either walk down the steps of the main entrance or go through uneven, windy pathways in the woods. 

“Just last night, we were trying to get somebody into the theatre who couldn’t walk there himself, so it took five people in our community to help him get down to his seat,” Burger said. 

Meghan Dombrowski, the company's  front of house manager, has been with Paperhand for almost 10 years and said she often has to help patrons who struggle with mobility issues to find a seat. 

“Just creating a basic way for people to get into the theatre without hardship would be great,” Burger said. 

In 2019, the University initiated a feasibility study to discuss renovations that could be made to improve accessibility and infrastructure in the space, Damon Waitt, director of the North Carolina Botanical Garden wrote in an email statement to The Daily Tar Heel.

The NCBG, which manages the Forest Theatre, was a part of a planning committee that included Carolina Performing Arts, Arts Everywhere, Facilities Planning & Design and Fine Arts & Humanities. Plans were drawn up that included additions such as handrails, accessible pathways and restrooms for the theatre.

However, because of a lack of funding, the plans were never implemented. Zimmerman said that as of right now, the Botanical Gardens send in crews to clear branches and blow leaves, but that no massive infrastructure changes have been made.

If changes were to be made, Burger and Zimmerman said they are concerned that the theatre could become a "high-priced" venue. "Earth and Sky," Paperhand’s current show, is about welcoming all creatures to come together and feel a sense of belonging. In the same way, it’s important to both directors that all patrons are able to come to the theatre and enjoy the shows. 

“Improving accessibility while maintaining the historical integrity of the Forest Theatre was a top priority during the planning,” Waitt wrote. “The accessibility improvements would not call attention to themselves or alter the essential qualities of being in this unique space and environment.” 

Waitt said the University is currently in the first phase of an assessment effort that will help identify physical barriers, create plans to remedy them and increase accessibility across campus. 

“As someone who just rents the space, we just have this desire for it to be more accessible, and we can be advocates for that, and then help people as best we can who come and want to be in the forest here with us,” Zimmerman said. 

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