Posted May 8, 2024
Behind the Scenes – Augmented Reality Technology and ASL
This month we spoke to Ash Knight, Executive Director of Toronto’s Pleiades Theatre, about the theatre’s introduction of Augmented Reality technology with ASL. Pleiades is among the first theatres utilizing this cutting-edge technology, which will enhance the theatre experience for d/Deaf theatregoers. AR glasses will be available for the last show of their 2023/24 season, Tyson’s Song, by Peter N. Bailey.
Pleaides Theatre in Toronto is offering a new accommodation for d/Deaf patrons— augmented reality glasses. Augmented reality (or AR) glasses are a wearable accessory that enhances reality with digital overlays. There are numerous uses for the technology, but it is particularly useful for d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing theatre patrons. While many theatres schedule a handful of shows during their runs where an ASL interpreter signs at the side of the stage, AR glasses can be made available for every show in a run, and patrons don’t need to split their attention between two different areas of the stage. At Pleiades, AR glasses will provide ASL interpretation videos, through the AR glasses, overlaid on top of the action of the play, allowing the theatre to present the play and the ASL interpretation simultaneously. The patron can control the size of the video (height and width) in the AR Glasses, its brightness, and its position in their field of vision to optimize their viewing enjoyment.
Pleiades is offering five pairs of AR glasses for each performance of Tyson’s Song, a Canadian premiere which is currently playing at the Factory Studio Theatre. The program has been made possible by the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund, which allowed the theatre company to invest in the technology. Pleiades is working with Deaf Community Consultant Gaitrie Persaud, who is guiding them through the inaugural process.
Ash Knight, Executive Director of Pleiades Theatre, says, “Pleiades’ mandate is sharing first- and second-generation Canadian stories, and that means we work very strongly with different languages and communities. ASL and the d/Deaf community are a natural extension for us moving forward, particularly when it comes to working with d/Deaf artists who are also first- or second-generation Canadians.
The glasses will also be used in future years to present language subtitles or audio translation so that patrons who do not speak English will be able to enjoy stories in fullproduction from their communities presented on stage. As well, hopefully, to present a play with all d/Deaf actors on stage and either subtitles or spoken audio for hearing audiences.”
Knight added, “We’ve learned a lot this first year working with Gaitrie and the glasses themselves. We hope to continue improving the experience for d/Deaf patrons each year. This kind of innovation is necessary to invite new audiences into the theatre and make our Canadian stages truly represent the Canada of today.”
Tickets for Tyson’s Song are pay-what-you-choose (minimum five dollars,) and AR glasses can be requested on a first-come, first-served basis when booking.