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Patience
by Estelle Rosen

My name is Jack Volpe.  I am Deaf.  I am the director of a play called, Deaf Snow White, produced by an organization called Seeing Voices Montreal (SVM).  The group was founded at the end of 2012,  and a lot of people have joined and heard about us since then. Our goal is to spread Deaf awareness because some people might not quite understand what comes with being Deaf and why awareness on the subject is important. We are here to spread our message and to tell them that indeed, we are and/or work with the Deaf, and we use theatre to achieve our goal in spreading Deaf awareness.

CHARPO: 
As director of SVM's first production Deaf Snow White, what are the challenges for a director adapting a well known popular story combining Deaf and hearing cast and crew?

VOLPE: 
Honestly, this is my first time directing a play. However, I have already directed movies in the past, and have studied and graduated from the Film Production program at Concordia University five years ago. I was in that program for about three years. So I have experience with directing in that sense. I love working with the cast and crew, getting together and discussing ideas, and just working with the whole team.

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Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2014
By Neale McDevitt

Aside from singers, auctioneers and ventriloquists, few people rely as heavily on their voices as actors. The best thespians use their voices as instruments to convey every feeling ranging from angry to Zen.

But what about Deaf actors who, because of their use of a visual language, have less access to performance art than their hearing counterparts? Some people might suggest that they are lesser actors because their powers of expression are diminished.

Those people have never been to a Seeing Voices Montreal (SVM) rehearsal in which Deaf actors performing side by side with hearing colleagues, bring words to life using their hands, bodies and facial expressions.

To read the full article, please visit: http://publications.mcgill.ca/reporter/2014/02/speaking-volumes-unique-theatre-group-incorporates-voice-and-sign-language/