Workshops
Canada Council for the Arts - New Grants Workshop
Join Deaf Canada Council Program Officer, Tiphanie Girault, for a discussion for the recent changes to Canada Council grants and how this change impacts you.
This special event will offer opportunities to hear about the what’s new with the Canada Council granting portal following their programming reconfiguration. There will be discussion of what changes have occurred and how these changes can support your future applications.
You will have an opportunity to ask questions, get recommendations, find solutions and more.
ASL/English accessible
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026, Noon to 1:30 PM
IN PERSON WORKSHOP
Studio B, Fringe Arts Barns
Cost: FREE. (A Free ticket is required to attend this workshop.)
Presenter: Tiphanie Girault
ASL-Dance with Me
This is a high energy ASL dance and music interpretation workshop using a follow the leader style that’s easy to learn and fun to move with. This is a physically active, fast paced session, so expect full body movement and a good sweat — comfortable, flexible clothing recommended.
Partipants may also choose to join Juan Jaramillo in a short shared performance moment during the Juan Man Show. No experience needed, just bring your energy!
ASL/English accessible
Two workshops available:
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 6:30 to 8 PM
Or
Thursday, March 5th, 6:30 to 8 PM
IN PERSON WORKSHOP
Studio B Room - Fringe Arts Barns
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can
Presenter: Juan Jaramillo
Improv with Joanna Hawkins
Join Deaf mime artist Jonna Hawkins, of the Winnipeg Deaf Mime troupe, 100 Decibels, for a engaging, creative and FUN workshop for building improv skills! No experience required and suitable for all ages.
ASL/English accessible
Saturday, March 7, 2026, 2 to 3:30 PM
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Studio B Room, Fringe Arts Barns
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can
Presenters: Joanna Hawkins
Unmasking the White Deaf Gaze in the Performing Arts
Theatre created by and for Deaf communities often unfolds under the watchful eye of dominant cultural norms — what theorist Toni Morrison called “the white gaze.” In Deaf Theatre, this gaze can shape everything from casting and storytelling to aesthetics, funding, and even audience expectations.
This 90-minute interactive workshop invites participants to critically examine how the white gaze operates in Deaf Theatre and how it impacts artists, audiences, and institutions. Together, we will:
Explore the concept of the white gaze and its historical roots in both mainstream and Deaf cultural spaces.
Identify common patterns of how whiteness has influenced Deaf Theatre practices (e.g., narrative framing, sign language aesthetics, production choices, leadership structures).
e strategies for dismantling harmful norms and cultivating theatre practices that center Deaf IPBOC voices, cultural sovereignty, and authentic representation.
Through guided discussion, small-group reflection, and creative prompts, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of systemic inequities and concrete steps toward co-building more equitable, community-driven theatre spaces.
Who it’s for: White Deaf theatre practitioners, White interpreters, White educators, White students, and White friends interested in challenging systemic biases in creative work.
Duration:1.5 hours (includes discussion, breakout activities, and Q&A)
ASL/English Accessible
Saturday, March 7, 2026, 2 PM MT / 4 PM ET
ONLINE WORKSHOP (Zoom)
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can
Presenters: Sage Lovell and Courage Bacchus
Production Managing & Stage Managing for Theatre
Whose Job is it Anyways?
Let’s talk about the core responsibilities, working relationships, and organizational structures that define Production Management and Stage Management in theatre, with space to discuss how these roles shift depending on the needs of a project.
Topics covered:
Production and Rehearsal Schedules
Pre-Production, Rehearsals, Tech Week, Show Run, Load Out, Reconciling
Budget templates and Petty Cash
Production Meetings and Rehearsal Room Practices
Working relationships between PMs, SMs, and the wider production team
When (and if) one person can take on both roles
This session is also conversational - Have you been asked to take on PM or SM responsibilities under a different job title? Bring your questions, experiences, and real-world scenarios for discussion.
Sally Roberts has been working as a freelance Production Manager and Stage Manager, as well as a technician in theatre for almost 20 years. She is a member of IATSE local 58 (Toronto stagehands), and the Means of Production collective of Production Managers and Technical Directors. In 2025, Sally graduated from George Brown College ASL-English Interpretation program. She is especially passionate about Deaf theatre and increasing accessibility for Deaf artists within production roles.
ASL/English accessible
Saturday, March 7, 2026, 5:15 PM to 6:45 PM
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Studio B Room, Fringe Arts Barns
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can
Presenters: Sally Roberts
Face and Body Workshop
The original workshop from our very first festival returns!
Join Elizabeth Morris and Hayley Hudson of Deaf Spirit Theatre 2.0 for their Face and Body Drama Workshop.
A lively, action-packed experience where stories explode into life—no words, no signs, just movement! Participants use big facial expressions, bold body movements, expressive hands, and fun props to tell exciting stories in creative ways.
This workshop is all about jumping in, letting loose, and connecting with people from all backgrounds and languages in a joyful, inclusive space. Fast-paced drama games and silly icebreakers get everyone moving, laughing, and imagining together—no acting experience needed!
Come play, move, and create unforgettable stories using nothing but your face, your body, and your imagination!
ASL/English accessible
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 2 PM to 3:30 PM
Studio B, Fringe Arts Barns
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can
Presenters: Elizabeth Morris and Hayley Hudson
The Deaf Tempest Workshop
Join Joanne Weber and Mustafa Alabssi of the Deaf Crows Collective as they discuss the process behind their new play, The Deaf Tempest.
The Deaf Tempest reimagines Shakespeare’s classic as a bold, text-free, visually immersive spectacle rooted in Deaf aesthetics. Written and Directed by Chrystene Ells, this groundbreaking production transforms the story’s magic, betrayal, and redemption into a universal language of movement, puppetry, mask, Visual Vernacular, and projection—offering an experience fully accessible to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, hearing, neurodivergent, newcomer, and visually impaired audiences alike.
Developed through storyboard-based creation, ensemble improvisation, and innovative accessibility design, The Deaf Tempest showcases a diverse cast and pushes the boundaries of contemporary physical theatre. A celebration of cultural diversity, creativity, and Deaf expression, The Deaf Tempest invites audiences into a world where storytelling lives entirely in the body.
Joanne and Mustafa will show pictures and scenes from their recent production and discuss the process behind its creation. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about this unique and innovative production!
ASL/English accessible
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 4 PM to 5:30 PM
Studio B, Fringe Arts Barns
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can
Presenters: Joanne Weber and Mustafa Alabssi
The Fire Within
Facilitated by Phoenix The Fire
The Fire Within is a Deaf-led creative workshop exploring healing through movement, improvisation, and visual storytelling.
Participants will engage in guided exercises that transform personal experiences and emotional challenges into artistic expression. Through embodied performance and collective reflection, this workshop offers a supportive space to reconnect with inner strength and creative power.
No acting experience required , just a willingness to explore and create.
ASL/English accessible
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 6 PM to 7:30 PM
Studio B, Fringe Arts Barns
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can
Presenters: Gaitre Persaud