It’s a unique theatre festival that aims to increase exposure for deaf artists and audiences in Edmonton.
Sound Off: Deaf Theatre Festival runs Feb. 16-19, showcasing local art, music, theatre and dance through American Sign Language.
“Were we really representing our community as a whole? That’s a question we’re asking ourselves through diversity and inclusion,” said Murray Utas with Fringe Theatre Adventures.
The idea for the festival was born from creator and festival director Chris Dodd who was asked to participate in a panel discussion on accessibility within the arts.
“I argued that there were few opportunities for both artists who were deaf and for deaf audiences to participate in mainstream theatre. Vern Thiessen, the new artistic director of Workshop West, was in attendance and he approached me afterwards for applying for grant funding to create a new festival dedicated to the deaf performing arts. We were successful and the festival as been in the works for the past two years,” Dodd said.
It’s also the first-of-its-kind in Canada.
Audiences can enjoy several different productions with designated seating near the front so deaf patrons have better views of the interpreter.
“I want to expose Edmonton audiences to a unique theatre event,” Dodd said. “It’s rare that people get an opportunity to experience how well suited American Sign Language is to the stage and it’s power of expressiveness.”
“I think a lot of people in our community are starting to see that maybe there’s no one on stage like them,” Utas said.
Organizers hope to host a similar festival next year and one day branch out across the country.
Tickets can be purchased online at chinookseries.ca or audiences are invited to pay what they can at the door.
The festival runs in partnership with the Chinook Series at the ATB Financial Arts Barn.
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