So you’ve heard about our new Stagetext+ software, what’s next? Let us answer some of your questions.
What is the software?
Stagetext+ (or ST+) is a new tool built by Stagetext, integrating best practice for deaf access and the expertise of our theatre Captioners. It’s an open-standard software designed to deliver captions simultaneously across multiple devices.
How does it work?
It is a lightweight tool that is able to take a caption file created by a trained Captioner, and output the text of that file as scrolling lines onto a wide variety of screens. This includes existing LED screens, RGB screens, phones, tablets, TVs, and most standard displays, as well as our new supply of off-the-shelf displays which will replace our traditional LED screens.
Who can use it?
A qualified Stagetext trained Captioner can use the software. They are the only ones who have a license currently to use the software. Let us know if you need a Captioner or want to train a local Captioner.
How is it different to the current software used by Stagetext?
Some of the functionality is similar to the existing software, in that they both output lines of text onto the LED screens. However ST+ is compatible with a much wider range of screens and computer devices, and can even be used in a web browser without installing any software, allowing it to be used on all sorts of devices, such as Macs and Chromebooks.
Do I need to pay extra for this?
There is no additional charge to venues – Stagetext+ is licensed through a Stagetext qualified Captioner.
What hardware do I need to use the software?
ST+ will work on existing LED screens, RGB screens, phones, tablets, TVs, projectors, and any display that can be connected to a computer. If you wish, you can purchase new screens for your venue via Stagetext.
Will it work on my existing screens?
Yes! ST+ will work with both the older LED screens (black and yellow/amber) as well as the RGB screens (black and multicolour text).
Can I have the captions showing on mobile phones and caption boxes at the same time?
Yes, although this is a bit of a more complex set up, and will depend which screens you are using. Please get in touch to discuss this with the Stagetext team and we can support you in setting this up.
I’m a small venue – how will Stagetext+ work for me?
Our new supply of screens includes a smaller caption display, just 37 inches wide, which can fit into smaller sets. All it needs is a power supply and HDMI cable to the Captioner and you’re good to go! Or, if you already have a TV or large screen with a projector for example, you can show the captions on those.
What is an Operator?
An Operator is a Stagetext trained member of your team that can output repeat performance captions. The original captioned show still needs to be prepared by a qualified Captioner to ensure quality and best practice deaf access, but the addition of an Operator means you would be able to offer captions at any show after your initial captioned performance.
I’m not a theatre, can I use Stagetext+ at my event?
Yes! If you’d like captions for scripted performances, then ST+ has been designed to deliver theatre captions, and displays whole sentences on a scrolling page for any venue space – big or small. We work with large West End theatres to small studio spaces.
Can I use the software for live subtitles at my event – such as for a talk or a lecture?
ST+ has been designed to deliver theatre captions, and displays whole sentences on a scrolling page. For live subtitles, it is better to display each word as they are typed, and so we use a separate tool, Streamtext, for this.
However, both ST+ and Streamtext can be displayed on our new supply of screens, allowing you to both caption and live subtitle in a space using the same hardware (screens). This is particularly useful if you are a theatre and want a live Q&A after the performance as we can switch the display between the captioned performance using Stagetext+ and the live subtitles software, Streamtext very easily.
I’d like to use Stagetext+ at my venue. How do I get started?
We will be rolling this out across the service delivery from 2026. Please get in touch with Olivia Durkin our Head of Training and Theatre, if you’d like to discuss how we can help you, using the form below.
We will be rolling out Stagetext+ to captioners from 2026. Get in touch to see how Stagetext+ can help your venue deliver more deaf access more often.
