GVAD is sharing this information:
After a challenging season for our community, the Summerland’s Ryga Arts Festival is proceeding this year in a smaller, revised form. We are offering all remaining events completely free of charge to provide welcoming spaces for people to gather and connect.
We are proud to feature Order of Canada recipient and award-winning Deaf actor, playwright, and advocate Chris Dodd in two upcoming events. Please note that ASL interpretation will be provided at both events.
About the Artist:
Chris Dodd CM is a Treaty 6 based (Edmonton) award-winning Deaf actor, playwright, accessibility advocate, and Governor General’s Innovation Award finalist. He is the founder and artistic director of SOUND OFF, Canada’s national festival devoted to Deaf performance, which has been running annually since 2017. Chris holds a degree from the University of Alberta’s Drama program and has been working within Edmonton’s theatre community, and across Canada, for over 25 years. His play, Deafy, has been touring across Canada and internationally since 2021, and has been published by Playwrights Canada Press. In 2025, he was a recipient of the Order of Canada.
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Upcoming Events:
“Nineteen Eighty Eight” – A Workshopped Reading in ASL
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Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: ABD Centre (Formerly IOOF Hall, 9536 Main St, Summerland, BC)
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About: Join Chris Dodd as he presents a deeply personal and funny reading of his latest work-in-progress. The play is a recollection of life during 1988 as the remainder of his hearing disappeared, exploring loss, music, memory, and getting your groove back.
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Cost: Free (by donation)
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“Language of the Body” w/ Chris Dodd
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Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Summerland Rec Board Room (13205 Kelly Avenue Box 159, Summerland, BC)
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About: Experience the expressive power of the body as Chris shares techniques inspired by Deaf aesthetics and performance. This session focuses on expressing ideas, concepts, and stories without dialogue.
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Cost: Free (by donation)
Reserve Your Tickets: https://rygafest.tickit.ca/events/35857-language-of-the-body-w-chris-dodd
