Dawn Jani Birley to debut new show in the Tarragon Extraspace this September
iPhoto caption: Image courtesy of 1s1 Theatre.
This fall, internationally acclaimed Deaf actor Dawn Jani Birley will premiere a new work, Qalb: A Journey of the Ego, at the Tarragon Extraspace.
Created with artists from Sweden, Finland, and the U.S., the piece, produced by 1s1 Theatre, uses the poetry and philosophy of 13th-century poet Rumi to explore the notion of resilience. Inspired by Birley’s experiences of audism, or Deaf oppression and exclusion, Qalb uses poetry to transform Birley’s isolation, anger, and frustration into a more powerful, loving force onstage.
“Our productions present both Deaf and hearing audiences new ways of seeing and understanding the world,” said Birley in a press release. “Together, through the wisdom of this beloved poet, we work to become reflections of our true selves and create a world in which we all wish to live.”
Qalb: A Journey of the Ego runs at the Tarragon Extraspace from September 7–14. Tickets are available here.
Aisling Murphy
Aisling is Intermission's senior editor and an award-winning arts journalist with bylines including the New York Times, Toronto Star, Globe & Mail, CBC Arts, and Maclean's. She likes British playwright Sarah Kane, most songs by Taylor Swift, and her cats, Fig and June. She was a 2024 fellow at the National Critics Institute in Waterford, CT.
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