Speaking Vibrations is created and performed by four artists: ASL poet and storyteller Jo-Anne Bryan, percussive dance artist Carmelle Cachero, literary Hip Hop artist King Kimbit, and contemporary dance artist Jordan Samonas.
They are four women from different walks of life, of diverse identities and practices, intersecting through art and beyond. The tensions between where they are from, where they live, and the languages they speak, sign, or have lost, are the stories and songs this work is grounded in.
Accessibility is built into Speaking Vibrations’ aesthetic and audience experience design through d/Deaf storytelling (highlighting d/Deaf lived experience, ASL sign/poetry, visual vernacular) and creative digital technology (dynamic captions, vibrotactile devices, and a bass shaker built into the stage floor, which allows for all performers to keep time and feel the BPM of their songs.)
Our creative interests include the blending of artforms (rhythm tap dance, percussive dance, spoken word, song, rap, ASL song/poetry, visual vernacular, contemporary dance), the visualization and tactilization of sound and music, and using digital technology to enhance performance experiences for diverse audiences.
Speaking Vibrations was selected for Great Canadian Theatre Company’s 2021/2022 season, and Ottawa Council Fringe Festival in 2021, where it was awarded “Outstanding Ensemble Performance.” Our work has been funded and supported by the Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts, and has attracted attention from interviews and reviews with newspaper, radio, magazine and online publications.
