Image Description: Speaking Vibrations on stage in at SkirtsAfire Festival and SOUND OFF Deaf Theatre Festival in March 2024. The viewpoint is from the audience, and dark silhouettes of audience members can be seen. The four performers are standing on a brightly lit, light brown wood platform. Behind them is a screen with an image of crashing waves. Descriptions are from left to right. On the far left: a Filipina woman with long black hair, wearing black shirt, red pants and sash. Left of centre, is a Vietnamese woman with black hair tied in a high bun, wearing a dark blue robe. Right of centre is a Black woman, with short fro, wearing a bright green shirt and matching pants. Far right: a white woman with long brown hair in a ponytail, wearing a white, Grecian-style dress. Photo by Lindsey Tran. @understudystudio_
About Speaking Vibrations:
Speaking Vibrations has four creators and performers: ASL poet and storyteller Jo-Anne Bryan, percussive dance artist Carmelle Cachero, literary Hip Hop artist King Kimbit, and contemporary dance artist Jordan Samonas. We are four women of and from diverse identities, practices and communities. Each of us has a foot in many different worlds. Our stories and expressions are about the tensions between where we’re from, where we live, and the languages we speak, sign or have lost.
We have a larger creative team of directors, interpreters, designers and consultants. We have two directors: Director Jacqui Du Toit, Deaf Culture Director Pamela Witcher. Our stage and production manager is Kat Wong, Lead ASL Interpreter Marianne Kelly and accessibility manager/consultant Drea. Carmelle and Jordan co-produce and project manage Speaking Vibrations. King and Jo-Anne work on accessible marketing and creating ASL promo videos.
Our lighting designer is Emilio Sebastiao, and video designer Lesley Marshall. Our vibrotactile designers are David Bobier and Jim Ruxton (VibraFusionLab). In the past we have worked with accessibility consultant Jessica Watkin, and composer, instrument builder and researcher Jesse Stewart. We work with and hire accessibility consultants, ASL-EN and Deaf Interpreters for our events and activities.
Image Description: Three photos. Top Photo 1: Ten Speaking Vibrations production team members standing on stage, smiling at the audience during a tech rehearsal at Great Canadian Theatre Company, in Ottawa, 2022. Middle: Speaking Vibrations performers and directors sitting in chairs on stage with interpreters during a post-show Q&A at SkirtsAfire Festival and SOUND OFF Deaf Theatre Festival in Edmonton, 2024. Bottom: Speaking Vibrations performers, directors, stage/production manager and interpreter standing on stage after receiving an award with the Ottawa Arts Council, 2023. Photos by Andrew Alexander and Lindsay Tran.
What we do:
Speaking Vibrations creates accessible, inclusive, immersive and integrative performances in over 10 different performance genres and languages. As a collective, we are interested in blending and expanding access to different artforms and languages. We consider how music can be seen, how captions can dance, and how ASL can be felt.
Speaking Vibrations works with ASL and Deaf interpreters during rehearsals, backstage, and for the audience (examples: pre-show announcements, post-show Q&A). We do not have interpreters on stage with us during our shows. Our shows integrate ASL as a performance language and artform.
Accessible Technology & Design:
We are interested in multi-sensory (visual, audial, kinesthetic and tactile) performance art and artmaking. We use innovative technology, stage, and audio-visual-tactile design methods and technologies. For example:
Vibrotactile Devices: vibrotactile devices, built by VibraFusionLab, allow for select audience members to experience live sound as feeling and vibration. We build sub woofers into stage sets for Deaf performers to have better access to “hearing” cues and sound effects.
Creative captions appear on a video projection screen at the same time as they are signed, spoken or sung. They have animations with different fonts, colours, shapes and imagery.
Audio Description offers verbal commentary outlining events happening onstage. Examples: set and costume descriptions, body language and non-verbal actions like dance, ASL, visual vernacular.
T-Coil Loops/Hearing Assistance: when possible, we work in venues with T-Coil loops and assistive hearing devices.
Accessibility is our aesthetic:
We teach organizers, venues and presenters about accessibility and we believe accessibility is a learning process. Speaking Vibrations offers youth-friendly shows, Q&A’s, panel discussions, and tactile demonstrations for Blind and Low Vision audiences. Our producers organize Deaf Interpreting services at our shows for Deaf-Blind audience members. We promote and encourage intercultural and intercommunity collaboration creation between Deaf, hearing and Disability communities.
To learn more about this website’s accessibility features, click here.
Image Description: Six photos side by side. Top Left: Interpreter Andrea Konowalec and stage/production manager Kat Wong at work during a tech rehearsal. Top Middle: Close-up of a vibrotactile device on an audience seat. Top Right: Deaf Culture Director, Pamela Wither at work during a tech rehearsal. Bottom left: Interpreter Andrea Konowalec at work. Bottom middle: Director Jacqui Du Toit giving the performers directions during a tech rehearsal. Bottom Right: Speaking Vibrations performers on stage at SkirtsAfire and SOUND OFF Deaf Theatre Festival for their final bow. Photos by Lindsay Tran.
Speaking Vibrations History
2019
Speaking Vibrations evolved from an idea to create a piece with tap dance and ASL. Speaking Vibrations was created in 2019, where it first performed at Uproar Arts Festival in Ottawa, Ontario. This performance was a catalyst for our group in sparking their journey towards creating accessible and inclusive. performance events. We have since performed live, digitally and on film in Ottawa and across Canada.
Image Description: Photos of Speaking Vibrations in performance at Uproar Arts Festival, 2019. Top left: Jo-Anne Bryan solo ASL song/poetry performance. Top Right: Dance artist Jordan Samonas dancing on a hardwood floor with a shotgun mic. Middle: King Kimbit (left) and Carmelle Cachero (right) face each other in a song/tap dance duet. Bottom Left: An artist’s cartoon rendition of Speaking Vibration’s performers. Bottom Right: King Kimbit (left) and Jo-Anne Bryan (right) perform at Uproar Arts Festival. Photo by Stéphanie Houle / @petite_camera_rouge.
2020-2021
In 2021, Speaking Vibrations self-produced an on-demand accessible concert film for Deaf and non-Deaf audiences. This was directed by Jacqui du Toit and filmed at Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC). We also performed as part of Ottawa Fringe Festival’s 2021 season. This show was pre-recorded at the Arts Court Theatre and streamed online for hundreds of viewers.
Video Description: A trailer for Speaking Vibrations 2021 Accessible Concert Film performed at Great Canadian Theatre Company. Contains clips of scenes from Speaking Vibrations, includes audio captions and rolling credits.
2022
Speaking Vibrations was presented as a part of Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC) 2021-2022 Mainstage season. This production featured 75 vibrotactile devices (including wheelchair accessible floorpads) set up by David Bobier and Jim Ruxton (VibraFusionLabs). We commissioned a sound/vibrotactile installation in the theatre lobby titled VibroDrum/((( Gong ))) by interdisciplinary artist Jesse Stewart. This installation used a special software and computer webcam to track audience movement and translate it into sound and vibration.
Explanation of software: The Adaptive Use Musical Instrument (AUMI) software detects motion and converts it into electrical impulses (known as MIDI signals) that are sent to mechanical strikers that play a series of frame drums in response to movements. The sound of the drums is sent to transducers attached to the underside of the carpeted platforms positioned in front of the installation. The transducers translate the sound of the drums into vibrations. By standing, sitting, or lying on the floors, a person is able to feel the vibrations of the drums in real time. (Jesse Stewart, 2022).
Image Description: An audience member engages with VibroDrum/((( Gong ))) at Speaking Vibrations, GCTC, 2022. Photo by Jordan Samonas.
Image Description: From left to right. Top left: Carmelle Cachero performing a traditional Filipino folk dance. Middle left: A close up of Jordan and Jo-Anne’s hands in the “connection” handshape. Top right: King Kimbit in prayer. Bottom left: Blurry photo of Jordan posing in a deep lunge in front of a bright blue background. Bottom right: Carmelle and Jo-Anne posing with variations of a “world/sphere” handshape.
2023-2024
In 2023-2024, we embarked on our first cross-Canada tour. In September 2023 to Halifax, Nova Scotia at the Halifax Fringe Festival. Next to Wakefield, Quebec at the Ta Da! Performing Arts Festival (September 2023). And in March 2024, to Edmonton, Alberta at SkirtsAfire Festival and SOUND OFF Deaf Theatre Festival.
In May 2024 we produced the Speaking Vibrations Method– a 3-day workshop weekend about artmaking and accessibility. This event was hosted at LabO Theatre in Ottawa. We facilitated panel discussions, workshops and lectures about accessibility, Deaf and hearing collaboration, interpreters, technology and accessible marketing strategies.
Image Description: Top Left: Carmelle and King performing at Halifax Fringe Festival. Middle and top right: Jo-Anne in solo performances. Middle left: Carmelle and Jordan during a tap and body percussion duet. Middle right: Four Speaking Vibrations performers during their final bow, standing in front of a screen with crashing waves. Bottom: Speaking Vibrations Method advertisement. Photos by Mitchell Jodrey and Lindsay Tran.
Awards and Recognition:
Speaking Vibrations has been nominated and granted several awards. In September 2023, we won the April Hubbard Creative Access Award (Halifax Fringe Festival). In May 2023, we won the Corel Endowment Fund for the Arts Award (Ottawa Arts Council). We were nominated for Best Direction (Jacqui Du Toit, Pamela Witcher) and Best Design (David Bobier, Jim Ruxton, Jesse Stewart at the 2022 Prix Rideau Awards). In 2021, we won Outstanding Ensemble Performance at the Ottawa Fringe Festival.
Our Supporters:
We extend our gratitude to our funders, supporters and collaborators. We are grateful for the City of Ottawa, Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts, without whom our work would not be possible. We are deeply grateful for the essential work of ASL and Deaf Interpreters, technicians, designers and consultants who make our work possible.
Over past 5 years, Speaking Vibrations attracted attention from many newspaper, radio, magazine and online publications. To learn more about past interviews, performances and awards click here.
Image Description: King and Carmelle pose in the GCTC lobby after the 2022 Prix Rideau Awards Ceremony. Bottom left: Carmelle, Emilio Sebastiao (lighting designer) and King smile and pose in front of a tropical background with a frisky swan. Bottom right: Jordan embraces King during a group conversation in at the Prix Rideau Awards.
The Artists
Carmelle Cachero
Co-Producer, Creator, Performer
Image Description: A photo of Filipina woman, she has long black hair and wears black shirt, red sash and red wrist ties. She is looking towards the camera and her hands are clasped together.
Carmelle Cachero tells her story through rhythm and her passion for the art form of rhythm tap is a driving force to her pursuits. In addition to Speaking Vibrations, she currently dances with the Ottawa Rhythm Initiative Ensemble and YOW City Tap. She co-founded the West Coast Tap Dance Collective and is a former member of The Urban Tap Squad, both based in Vancouver. Carmelle currently is a Producing Fellow in the ThisGen Fellowship under the partnership of Why Not Theatre and the National Arts Centre. Her love for the arts extends into other aspects of her life working as a Sign Language Interpreter for theatre and the performing arts.
Jordan Samonas
Co-Producer, Creator, Performer
Image Description: A white woman on stage posing in a lunge position in front of a blue background. She is looking down. Her palms are open in the shape of a book. She has long brown hair and wears a white draping fabric like a dress.
Jordan Samonas is a professional dance artist, creator and producer. Visionary and go-getter with over 10+ years experience in indie self-production, she has performed for over 25+ years on stages and at festivals across Canada and internationally. Jordan is co-producer and lead project manager of Speaking Vibrations, an award-winning, multi-disciplinary and accessibility-centering performance collective (SkirtsAfire Festival, SOUND OFF Deaf Theatre Festival, Halifax Fringe, Great Canadian Theatre Company, Ottawa Fringe). A dance “chameleon” with an eclectic movement background (contemporary/modern dance, rhythm tap, kizomba/semba, ballet, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre), Jordan’s movement style embodies sound, groove and feeling. She deeply values the rich cultures, traditions and histories of the dances she practices, and believes in dance as communication, community-building and collective joy. If you’re looking for her, she can be found on the dance floor, in her garden or on a canoe trip.
Jo-Anne Bryan
Creator, Performer
Image Description: A photo of Black woman on stage in front of a black background. She has a short fro and is wearing a bright green shirt with wide sleeves. She is looking towards the camera. Her hands making the shape of a sphere or globe.
Jo-Anne Anita Bryan is an Ottawa-based Artist experiencing life through the intersections of being Black, Deaf, Queer, and Woman. Her artistry includes American Sign Language (ASL) storytelling and performance. Jo-Anne is one-quarter of the Speaking Vibrations group; they did their first performance at Uproar Arts Festival (2019). Jo-Anne performed her ASL storytelling Where You Come From (Phenomena Festival, 2019) and 400 years (Sound Off Festival, 2021). When not performing, she works as ASL consultant/Deaf interpreter to interpreters and Deaf theatre actors and creates illustrations in her spare time. She wants to ensure that theatre is accessible to Deaf communities.
King Kimbit
Creator, Performer
Image Description: A photo of a Vietnamese woman who has her black hair tied in a high bun. She is wearing a dark blue robe with draping sleeves. She has her palms open and her eyes closed.
King Kimbit is a literary and vocal Hip-Hop artist based on traditional land of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg. As a daughter of the Vietnamese Diaspora, King yearns to explore the roots of her journey as she expresses through art forms learned from an inner-city upbringing, some of which can be heard on her debut album, Life Lessons Poetically. King is passionate about empowering and encouraging youth, community care, and sharing love through writing, reciting, and the abolition of punitive, carceral institutions, and is currently working on her sophomore album, Healing Trauma From The Projects.
