2024 Magic of ASL: Live!

On June 6th, 2024, Deaf guest performer, director, playwright Landon Krentz and the Manitoba School for the Deaf (MSD) students put on an excellent entertaining show at the Forrest Nickerson Theatre to a well-attended audience of Deaf and non-deaf communities. Visual Vernacular, ASL Poetry and Prose, Drumming were performed. The show was enjoyed by all judging by the enthusiastic audience responses to the performances.

There was audience participation with two contests during the show. One was the A-Z ASL Alphabet fingerspelling competition and the fastest speller, Kristian Owczar, won. The other was a Gesture competition describing a photo on a big screen behind them. Two young audience members took part describing an imaginary experience with a hot air balloon. The audience declared them to be equal in their spontaneous performances.

Landon and his MC team, MSD students Jancis Anthony and Ava May introduced the performers and judged two fun-competitions in fast A-Z ASL Alphabet finger spelling and Gestures with some of the audience members.

Landon's two renditions, "The Destruction of the Northern Spotted OWL Habitat" and the "Sea Mink’s Maple Leaf" were thought provoking.

Deaf photographer, Leonardo Salgado did an amazing job of capturing the movements of the ASL performances. These were posted on Facebook and Instagram after the show. On social media (Facebook and IG) his photos reached an audience of 1.3 K. mostly from Winnipeg and a number from across Canada and elsewhere.

In the spirit of inclusivity, ASL-English Interpretation was provided for the non-fluent ASL audience.

2024 Magic of ASL: Live!, a labour-intensive project, produced many impactful benefits to the Deaf community and exposed Deaf Culture to the Winnipeg audience.

The first of the Gathered Series successfully dovetailed into the bi-annual Magic of ASL. The Deaf community and non-audiences learned that Visual Vernacular can transcend across any language barriers to be understood what is happening on stage.

Young Deaf people will be inspired to become performers by seeing and interacting with a professional Deaf performer plying their trade on stage. We are working to build a larger viable community of Deaf performers by providing this opportunity to see and learn.

Ahead of the event, several adverstments were posted on Social media with the following information.

WHAT: 2024 MAGIC OF ASL:LIVE! First live show since the pandemic!

WHEN: June 6, Doors open 6:30 pm, SHOW: 7:00 pm

10 Wheelchair spaces, Rush seats

WHERE: Forrest Nickerson Theatre, DCM, 285 Pembina Hwy.

COST: Great price at $25, 10% Discount for MCSD-DAM members!

E-transfer: treasurer@mcsd-dam.com or Cash: Door

WHO's PERFORMING? The wonderful Landon Krentz and MSD Students! We have a great variety show lined up!

ASL Interpretation for those who are not ASL fluent! Bring your family and friends!