The Magic of ASL is a bi-annual, two-hour theatre performance, showcasing emerging and professional Deaf theatre artists. In the past two Magic of ASL events, we have hired out-of-province performers to come and perform to Manitoba audiences and facilitate workshops for the Manitoba School for the Deaf (MSD) students as part of the Gathered Series: Community Enrichment through Deaf Arts.
2026 Magic of ASL: Gathered Series Five: Presenting Guest performers from the Invisible Practice from Edmonton: Connor Yuzwenko-Martin and Crystal Wolfe ᐋᐧᐸᓇᒐᐦᑯᐢ and the Manitoba School for the Deaf Students who performed Taiko drumming and mime. It was a great variety show line-up!
Connor Yuzwenko-Martin's performed his own avante garde performance of "Dorsal Traces" and Crystal Wolfe ᐋᐧᐸᓇᒐᐦᑯᐢ did a moving Indigeous story "wîhkwaskwa". The Vibrations (MSD students) did two Taiko drumming pieces "Tusnami" and ""Hashagi". The two Mime students mimed the hilarious "Rush Hour", "The Bird" and "Hitchhicker" skits.
The Meet and Greet was after the show, The interview of the performers was a 30 minute session and cakes from Baked Expectations were served afterwards in the lobby. The winners of the two door prizes of $15 coupons from Artist Emporuim went to two MSD students.
We thank the University of Winnipeg for their generous donation in kind for the use of class space at the Asper Centre for Theatre and Film for the Mime classes.
CONNOR YUZWENKO-MARTN BIO
Connor Yuzwenko-Martin (he/him, they/them) is a Deaf performance artist, producer, and playwright based in Edmonton, Alberta. His work focuses on creating performance rooted in Deaf culture, sign languages, and inclusive practice.
Connor is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Invisible Practice (TIP), a Deaf arts organization dedicated to developing Deaf-centric creativity through any genre and medium that Deaf artists choose to inhabit. His artistic practice challenges traditional performance structures and expands access in the arts toward meaningful inclusion. Recent credits include After Faust, CARBON MOVEMENTS, CAPABLE, Coloured Skin, and Dorsal Traces, all of which reflect his commitment to blending theatre, language, tactile embodiment, and innovative accessibility techniques.
Beyond his creative practice, Connor is widely recognized for his leadership in accessibility and intersectional justice. His north star is a vibrant arts ecology that embraces and uplifts Deaf creatives and audiences, and where Deaf-centric stories emerge to be shared across the land.
CRYSTAL WOLFE ᐋᐧᐸᓇᒐᐦᑯᐢ BIO
Crystal Wolfe is an Indigenous Deaf artist, interpreter, educator, and advocate. She was involved in the advocacy effort for Bill C-91 (An Act Respecting Indigenous Languages), which was led by the B.C. Hummingbird Society of the Deaf and which received royal assent in 2019. She has long defended the rights of the Deaf Indigenous community so that they can access traditional ceremony, participate in cultural duties, and create safer spaces in the wider community.
Crystal aims to spotlight Indigenous Deaf and their accomplishments across the country, help address and resolve ongoing oppressions within our communities, and elevate them as a source of pride for themselves and everyone around them. She records stories and leads ceremonies at various Deaf artistic events, including the annual SOUND OFF Deaf Theatre Festival. She has also performed as a Deaf interpreter in several productions, such as all these things collide inside of me (Good Women Dance/Wild Mint Arts).
Crystal is part of the Nehiyaw and Niitsitapi-Blackfoot Confederacy. She lives and works on Treaty 6 land and is also a member of Neyaskweyaw (Ermineskin) Band of Maskwacis. She is fluent in Plain Indian Sign Language, Nehiyawi ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐃᐧ, and loves writing in Cree, travelling, and spending time with her nôsisimak.
2026 MAGIC OF ASL: GATHERED SERIES FIVE EVENTS
2026 MAGIC OF ASL SHOW:
WHEN: April 9, Doors open 6:00 pm, SHOW: 7:00 pm
WHERE: West End Cultural Centre, 586 Ellice Ave, Winnipeg, MB
COST: Great price at $20, $5 Discount for MCSD-DAM members!
