Performing artist, playwright, and accessibility advocate Chris Dodd is pushing for a new presence of d/Deaf theatre in Canada through his SOUND OFF Festival, which celebrates d/Deaf artists from across Canada and explores the relationship between Deaf and hearing audiences.

Chris Dodd is an Edmonton-based Deaf performing artist, playwright, accessibility advocate, and Governor General Innovation Award finalist. He is the founder and artistic director of Canada’s national theatre festival dedicated to the Deaf performing arts, SOUND OFF. Chris holds a degree from the University of Alberta’s Drama program. He is the recipient of the Guy Laliberté Prize for innovation and creative leadership from the Canada Council of the Arts.

“ASL is a very beautiful language. When the interpreters themselves are part of the action, they’re on stage, they’re part of the performance. It’s not just for people who are deaf but for all audiences.”

As Canada's national Deaf theatre festival, SOUND OFF builds upon the rich legacy of Deaf performers and Deaf performing groups in Canada. SOUND OFF brings together Deaf performers from across the country for a festival dedicated to the Deaf performing arts.