What is Speaking Vibrations?
“Speaking Vibrations is a multidisciplinary devised performance made by four artists with an extensive range of skills and artistries. One thing that strikes me so distinctly about this piece is its generosity. The pace allows us to wade in slowly. The production functions like poetry rather than narrative; each line, each gesture, illuminating an idea and building to something greater. There is a show happening for a Deaf audience and there is a show happening for a hearing audience and they are the same show. This integration is unusual. It is a vision of a more equitable, beautiful and interrelated world. May this vision and interrelatedness inspire us all.” – Sarah Kitz, Artistic Director, Great Canadian Theatre Company (2022)
Speaking Vibrations is a unique, style-defying and accessibility-centering performance collective made up of Deaf and hearing artists. Together, we represent a diversity of human experiences, cultural identities, languages and diasporic stories.
We explore and express the universality of performance art languages. Our bodies and stories are instruments we all share: whether through sign language, music or movement, there are stories and rhythms in every body.
We practice and perform in over ten different artforms such as ASL song/poetry, visual vernacular, signed music, spoken word, rap, song, stepping, body percussion, rhythm tap and contemporary dance. We use innovative technology, media art, stage and sound design to create accessible, inclusive and immersive experiences.
Accessibility is our aesthetic. We promote and encourage collaboration and creation across disciplines, between cultures, and among Deaf, hearing and Disability communities.
We are based out of Ottawa, Ontario the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg (Odàwàng). Check out this Algonquin Anishinaabe Land Acknowledgement by Dr. Lynn Gehl, Ph.D., an Algonquin Anishinaabe-kwe from the Ottawa River Valley.
To learn more about the people behind Speaking Vibrations, click here.
We are busy planning our 2025-2026 season. Stay tuned for more info, and follow us on Instagram at the link here.
Video of Speaking Vibrations on Tour 2023-2024 at Halifax Fringe Festival and Ta Da! Performing Arts Festival (Wakefield, Quebec). Sound is King Kimbit singing mixed with tap dance. Captions coming soon.
