Speaking Vibrations: a co-presentation with Ottawa Dance Directive

Image Description: Four performers against a black background. From left to right: A Black Bajan woman with short fro, wearing a bright green shirt and matching pants. Filipina woman with long black hair, wearing black shirt, red pants and sash. a Vietnamese woman with black hair tied in a high bun, wearing a dark blue robe. A white woman with long brown hair in a ponytail, wearing a white, Grecian-style dress. Text Reads: SPEAKING VIBRATIONS. A co-presentation with Ottawa Dance Directive. October 2, 3, 4 2025 | 7:30 PM; ODD Box | 2 Daly Ave, Ottawa. Logos of City of Ottawa, Ontario Arts Council, Government of Ontario, Ottawa Dance Directive and Ottawa Fringe Festival logos. Photos by Lindsey Tran. @understudystudio_

Speaking Vibrations is an award-winning, multidisciplinary performance featuring signed music, ASL song/poetry, spoken word, song, percussive and contemporary dance. Throughout this piece, four women explore their origin stories and, along the way, discover and connect with one another. This production features vibrotactile devices, audio description, assistive listening, tactile interpretation, and dynamic captions/video projections.

Credits

Creators & Performers: Jo-Anne Bryan, Carmelle Cachero, King Kimbit, Jordan Samonas

Understudy: Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson

Direction: Jacqui Du Toit, Pamela Witcher

Lighting Design: Emilio Sebastiao

Video Design: Lesley Marshall

Stage/Technical/Production Management: Kat Wong

Assistant Stage and Accssibility Managment: Drea

ODD Technical Director: Laura Wheeler

Funders and Supporters

This production is possible because of the generous support of the City of Ottawa, Ontario Arts Council, Government of Ontario, Ottawa Dance Directive and Ottawa Fringe Festival.

Dates and Times - October 2-4, 2025

Thursday, October 2 at 7:30 pm (Q&A to follow) - Mask-mandatory

Friday, October 3 at 7:30 pm (Q&A to follow) - Mask-optional

Saturday, October 4 at 7:30 pm (Q&A to follow) - Mask-optional

Location

ODD Box | 2 Daly Ave, Ottawa

Tickets

We understand the financial barriers that artists, arts workers, underemployed persons, D/deaf and disabled artists face in attending events. As such, this event has different options for pricing to ensure that finances are not a barrier to attending.

Please note that in support of the safety of immunocompromised persons, we are having a mask-mandatory evening on Thursday, October 2. The remaining shows on Friday, October 3, and Saturday, October 4, are mask-optional. We will provide masks at the front desk if you have forgotten yours.

Tickets are priced as follows excluding taxes:

$25 - General Admission (standard pricing)

$15 - Artists/Students/Underemployed (If standard pricing isn’t a barrier for you, we ask that you leave these tickets for those who need them)

$10 - Community/Youth (For Deaf, DeafBlind, Blind individuals and Youth under 18)

$0 - Support Person/Companion (If you are an aide/companion supporting a person to attend the show)

Tickets at the door will be subject to availability and are not guaranteed. Due to limited capacity, we highly recommend securing your seat in advance.

Speaking Vibrations Access Guide coming soon!

Accessibility Features

This show features vibrotactile devices, audio description, assistive listening, tactile interpretation and dynamic captions/video projections.*

*Note: Please let us know if you are requesting the use of a vibrotactile device, audio description, assistive listening, tactile interpretation services or reserving a wheelchair seat by adding a note with ticket purchase and sending us an email at [email protected].

Vibrotactile Devices

Handheld vibrotactile devices allow select audience members to experience sound as feeling and vibration. There are a limited number of devices that will be prioritized for Deaf, hard of hearing and DeafBlind patrons. If you want to use a vibrotactile device, please add a note with your ticket purchase and email [email protected]

WARNING: If you are pregnant, have a pacemaker, or have a medical condition that may be aggravated by intense vibration or magnets, do NOT use or be near the vibrotactile devices. Please ensure you are distant from these devices as it is the vibrations themselves that can cause issues. If you have a condition that means you can’t use a vibrotactile device, and you are sitting at or near a vibrotactile device, please tell a staff member or a volunteer to assist you to move to a different seat.

Audio Description

Audio Description offers verbal commentary outlining events happening onstage: set and costume descriptions, body language and non-verbal actions. Audio description is available via the Listen Wifi app. You can download the app in advance or borrow a device. To listen to or reserve a device for audio description, please add a note with ticket purchase and email us at [email protected]

Assistive Listening

Assistive listening is available via the Listen Wifi app for shows in the ODD Box. If you require assistive listening services, and/or would like to borrow a device, please add a note with ticket purchase and email [email protected]

Creative Captions

Performers’ words appear on a screen at the same time as they are signed, spoken or sung. Creative captions have animations with different fonts, colours and shapes.

ASL Performance and ASL Interpretation

This show integrates ASL song/poetry as a performance language. Pre-show announcements and post show Q&A will be interpreted in ASL.

Wheelchair Accessible Seats

A limited number of wheelchair accessible seats are available Please add a note with ticket purchase and email [email protected] to let us know. Please note that unless we are notified in advance, wheelchair seats may be released to other patrons 15 minutes before the show begins.

Tactile Interpretation

If you require Tactile ASL, Protactile, close vision, or other DeafBlind interpreting services, please add a note with ticket purchase and email [email protected]

Support Persons

If you require an attendant, aide, or companion, they are still required to have a ticket. Book a complimentary ticket for a support person and email to let us know [email protected]

Masking

Please note that in support of the safety of immunocompromised persons we are having a mask-mandatory evening on Thursday, October 2. The remaining shows on Friday, October 3, and Saturday, October 4, are mask-optional. We will provide masks at the front desk if you have forgotten yours.

Content Warning

One scene, performed in visual vernacular, references the history of enslaved African peoples being trafficked on a ship. Some viewers might find this scene distressing. Other themes: mental health issues/struggles, ableism and racism.

Sensory Warnings

Loudness – There is some loudness in vocal singing and tap dancing.

Darkness – The theatre becomes dark due to video projections.

Vibration – Select audience members can experience the show with a vibrotactile device. Audience members are free to not use their device if they choose.

How to Get to ODD Box

By bus: ODD Box (located inside Arts Court) is a 3 minute walk from the Mackenzie King Bridge/Rideau Centre bus stop. Many major transitway routes stop here regularly. To plan your route, you can use the OC Transpo travel planner.

By car: From the west or east, take the 417 (Queensway) to the Nicholas Street exit. At the lights, continue onto Waller Street. Turn left on Daly Avenue, and Arts Court will be situated on the left.

Parking: Nearby paid parking options are at the Rideau Centre, Les Suites Hotel, or at the corner of Besserer and Waller. Free street parking can be found a short walk away in Sandy Hill and in Lowertown. Insider tip: After 6pm and all day on weekends there is free parking underground at City Hall (10 minute walk).

Bike Racks: In front of Arts Court on Daly, as well as in the Fringe Courtyard entrance (67 Nicholas). More bike racks can be found at the OAG main entrance (50 Mackenzie King). Please note: that this is a high theft area for bikes; parking your bike is at your own risk.

By ParaTranspo or Taxi: You can be dropped off at 10 Daly Avenue’s entrance, ask them to drop you off near the Jackson Cafe/Ottawa Art Gallery side. You will turn right and go down Daly, and turn left at the first opening before you reach the stairs for the accessible entrance to Arts Court.

Finding ODD Box from 2 Daly Avenue

Wayfinding in the Arts Court building can be challenging. Not to worry - we will have wayfinding signs and volunteers available to assist you. Please arrive early enough to give yourself time to find the ODD Box theatre before the show.

ODD Box is located inside the Arts Court on Daly Avenue. Enter at 2 Daly Avenue. Use Elevator A to reach the second floor and turn left where the ODD Box is located.

Finding ODD Box from Accessible Entrance at 10 Daly Avenue

The accessible entrance is located at 10 Daly Ave., slightly east of the main entrance.

If entering from the accessible entrance, you will go through the side door, go straight and to the left past the stairs. Elevator A will be on your left and you will take to the 2nd floor. ODD Box is immediately to the left when you exit Elevator A. An accessible washroom is available on the second floor, near the elevators.

If entering through the stair entrance of 10 Daly Ave you will go up the stairs through the double doors, turn left and walk through the first set of doors. On your right is elevator A and you can take it to the 2nd floor.

If you would like to take the stairs, continue straight and go through the second black doors and turn left. Walk up 2 flights of stairs, exiting on the second floor.

Please arrive early to account for time to find parking and in case elevators are in use upon your arrival. Contact [email protected] for any questions about wayfinding or aaccessibility protocols.

"How to find the ODD Box” Video coming soon!

Host or Publisher Jordan Samonas