Vamos was proud to be part of this year’s Deaffest, the UK’s leading deaf film and arts festival.
Young people attending Young Deaffest had chance to take part in a mask workshop, learning Vamos mask techniques and physical theatre skills. The workshop proved very popular and the participants developed some great skills, including gaining an understanding of how timing, punctuation and clarity contribute to good mask work.
Rachael Savage, who led the workshop commented, “There are definite parallels between the communication style of many deaf people and how a mask performer communicates - using clarity, directness and a strong focus. The group really took to mask, and were able to see how these attributes really work when you put on a mask.”
Interpreter Samantha Allison was brilliant, helping Rachael connect more directly with the group, many of whom signed rather than lip-read. Going forward, Vamos is keen to provide deaf facilitators to lead mask workshops for deaf participants, and we are looking at ways to fund training.
Many thanks to all the organisers of Deaffest for having us, the workshop participants, and Samantha Allison for her fantastic support.