Building on the work of Deaf West Theatre and the LA Phil’s historic collaboration Fidelio, See / Feel / Hear Music invites audiences to engage with Deaf artists whose work explores the creation and reception of music, the innate music of sign language, and the politics of sound. Curated by Deaf West Theatre in collaboration with the LA Phil’s Insight program, the symposium offers a combination of conversations, presentations, film, and lobby activations. Featured artists include Dame Evelyn Glennie, Christine Sun Kim, DJ Kurs, and Andrew Yee.

The program is divided into two sessions: an afternoon session, which is free with registration, and an evening session with a $20 ticket. Both are open to audiences of all ages and will feature ASL interpreters.

Afternoon Session (Free with Registration) Make a reservation

2 PM - 3:30 PM

- Showcase of Fidelio with DJ Kurs of Deaf West Theatre

Deaf West Theatre bridges the Deaf and hearing worlds through innovative theatrical productions. For this opening session, the company’s Artistic Director, DJ Kurs, leads an exploration of the process behind their innovative collaboration with the LA Phil that reimagines Beethoven’s Fidelio as a multilayered communicative experience for both Deaf and hearing audiences and performers. 

4 PM - 6:30 PM

- Film Screening: The Tuba Thieves, directed by Alison O’Daniel

Alison O’Daniel’s film launches off from the story of an actual spate of tuba thefts from Los Angeles High Schools, but it’s really a film about listening. O’Daniel is a hard of hearing, interdisciplinary artist whose work examines the full spectrum of sound and our relationships with it. The Tuba Thieves uses sound design, sign language, captions and an interwoven narrative to offer an innovative form of multisensory storytelling that challenges preconceived notions of sound and silence and expands our perception through new modes of communication.

Evening Session ($20 Ticket) buy tickets

8 PM - 10 PM

- Conversation with Evelyn Glennie

Virtuosic, solo percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie has graced the world’s premier stages, collaborating with the finest orchestras and ensembles. As a Deaf musician operating at the upper echelon, her awareness of sound is honed to the highest degree. Dame Glennie graces the REDCAT stage to expand on her life-long mission to Teach the World to Listen and share stories from her life in music.

- Presentation and Conversation with Christine Sun Kim

Artist Christine Sun Kim’s work is a heightened language that expands perception of sound by illustrating our shared humanity and challenging preconceived notions and artificial barriers when it comes to sonic experiences. Drawing from her personal experiences with sound and music, Sun Kim creates multidimensional works that honor the subjectivity of our experiences while weaving connective tissues for new channels of communication. Her onstage offering, an invitation to imagine new modes of exchange, is not to be missed.

Ongoing

- Video Installation by Andrew Yee & Tristan Cook

Throughout the afternoon and evening, audiences are invited to engage with an original video installation by GRAMMY Award winning cellist Andrew Yee and filmmaker Tristan Cook that sketches out a new musical landscape through vibration and movement.

Please note: Seating to the afternoon session is not guaranteed. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis from 2PM-6:30PM.

Attendees will receive a complimentary chapbook (while supplies last) produced by Deaf West Theatre and LA Phil Insight in collaboration with Content Object Design Studio. The publication documents some of the ways in which Deaf and hard of hearing artists encounter, create, think about, and experience all types of music.