More Than Words Can Say

A new vanguard of deaf theatre makers is requesting representation, and funding for deaf artists. Audience members are ushered into the foyer and up the stairs into a small theatre space by Auslan Speakers for a one night only event at the Arts House North Melbourne, a venue that showcases new and experimental performance and theatre works.

More Than Words Can Say has been co-directed by two blazing deaf talents, Catherine Dunn and Sam Martin. They navigate the performance, offering their personal analysis of the hidden world of Deaf art, supported by two mic’d up Auslan interpreters. In a conversation with each other, they discuss their personal experiences such as growing up and finding their way around the adult world as artistic deaf people. Dunn grew up in rural Victoria and, having no exposure to deaf art, both she and Martin discuss YouTube as a way of connecting with the International Deaf community.

These guys are here to break rules, offer new interpretations and develop an audience that is not exclusive to only deaf people. The conversation continues in bouts during the show. The performance includes five deaf twenty-something actors. Lexi (Julia Murphy) and Daniel (Dan Fox) are "having a deaf party", Paris (Raquel Fasano) and Jason (Karthik Vijanandam) are "new to the deaf party scene". Jason (Fabio Spadea) hits the party late, and is highly expressive about a peculiar incident that happened at the football; the quintessential funny man offers hilarious ‘visual vernacular’ (animated deaf gesturing that is similar to mime) that portrays the moment. Daniel and Jason get it on while Paris and Lexi bond as friends.

These actors give generously; they too want to be heard and be able to continue their work practise, not just as deaf artists but simply as artists. After the performance a Q&A gave the actors an opportunity to share their experiences. They too expressed difficulty in finding role models, some having travelled overseas to attend deaf events to reinforce their deaf identity. With many reputable deaf art festivals and like-minded institutes in abundance across Europe and the USA, they want to raise awareness and urge Australia to get with it and recognise Deaf artists and practises.

Flora Georgiou

Image: Ashton Jean-Pierre