The theatre's work in making productions accessible to the blind and visually impaired was recognised at Parliament last night.
The theatre was one of six recipients of Arts Access Aotearoa's 2013 Big A Awards presented by Arts, Culture And Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson as Parliament last night.
The awards celebrate individuals and organisations which provide opportunities for people with limited access to engage with the arts as artists and audience members.
''It's fantastic news. It's recognition of all the accessibility developments at the theatre over the last year,'' Fortune artistic director Lara Macgregor said from Wellington, after receiving the award.
''Why should anyone miss out on having a good experience at the theatre? It's really just about communication and people really appreciate that.''
The theatre had improved wheelchair access for patrons and trialled audio-described plays in 2011, in collaboration with the Experience Access Trust, before providing an audio-described performance of each production last season.
The performances allowed blind patrons to listen through headsets to a live audio describer narrating the onstage action.
Patrons could also take a guided tour of the set, handle props, feel costumes and meet the cast. Braille programmes were also provided.
''It's been great for us. It's widened our reach into the community and is part of making the Fortune as accessible as possible,'' Ms Macgregor said.
The award was heralded by Dunedin's sight and hearing-impaired community.
''Usually, when we go to a play, my husband has all the power. He's read the programme and he can see the set and the actors,'' blind theatre-goer Julie Woods said yesterday.
''With audio-described performances, I'm the one with the power.
''I meet the actors and do a touch tour before the show.
''Meeting the actors during the touch tour and hearing them perform a few lines really helps me identify who's speaking on stage.''
Dunedin's Artsenta art workshop, which caters for people in the mental health and alcohol and substance abuse communities, also received a highly commended citation in the creative space award for its role in the Otago arts community.
