Senses Cabaret
Through involving Deaf and disability artists, Senses Cabaret explores innovative ways of incorporating sensory accessibility into Burlesque performance with a particular emphasis on the aesthetics of access integrated into the creative process and the consideration of methods of accessibility influence this process from the beginning.
Burlesque is a truly rich and excitingly varied art form. It is a genre that fuses an interesting combination of dance, comedy, variety and parody all rolled together into theatre.
Today it is a celebrated art form that empowers the female body and is widely considered a credible art form that has stood the test of time. Burlesque of today is sometimes referred to as 'neo-burlesque’ because it does differ slightly from the traditional style. Nowadays the form encompasses a wider variety of acts and styles, including modern dance and drama.
In Senses Cabaret, VibraFusionLab will be collaborating with Chawna Exner to create an enhanced accessible experience of the Burlesque artform. Accessibility is being centred in this project, creating a show around delivering textures, movements and sounds of Burlesque to a wider audience. The production will include sounds created through movements of costumes using sensors, as well as audio description, tactile elements for the audience and sound visualization translating the feelings in Burlesque movement through other senses. Some of the technologies from VFL that will be used are: sensors that create sound when touched and moved; sensors which start and stop an audio track based on proximity; movement sensors controlling a projected image; LED lighting sensors that control sound pitch; and vibrotactile systems (belts, pillows and handhelds) that convert sound into vibration.
Six performers from the Deaf and disabled Calgary arts community will be invited to participate under the tutoring of Eva Angel (Exner). Each participant will be guided through the development of individual Burlesque performances. VFL will be instrumental in assisting participants in understanding and incorporating sound and vibrotactile technologies into their costumes and as a crucial element in their performance.
Burlesque is a truly rich and excitingly varied art form. It is a genre that fuses an interesting combination of dance, comedy, variety and parody all rolled together into theatre.
Today it is a celebrated art form that empowers the female body and is widely considered a credible art form that has stood the test of time. Burlesque of today is sometimes referred to as 'neo-burlesque’ because it does differ slightly from the traditional style. Nowadays the form encompasses a wider variety of acts and styles, including modern dance and drama.
In Senses Cabaret, VibraFusionLab will be collaborating with Chawna Exner to create an enhanced accessible experience of the Burlesque artform. Accessibility is being centred in this project, creating a show around delivering textures, movements and sounds of Burlesque to a wider audience. The production will include sounds created through movements of costumes using sensors, as well as audio description, tactile elements for the audience and sound visualization translating the feelings in Burlesque movement through other senses. Some of the technologies from VFL that will be used are: sensors that create sound when touched and moved; sensors which start and stop an audio track based on proximity; movement sensors controlling a projected image; LED lighting sensors that control sound pitch; and vibrotactile systems (belts, pillows and handhelds) that convert sound into vibration.
Six performers from the Deaf and disabled Calgary arts community will be invited to participate under the tutoring of Eva Angel (Exner). Each participant will be guided through the development of individual Burlesque performances. VFL will be instrumental in assisting participants in understanding and incorporating sound and vibrotactile technologies into their costumes and as a crucial element in their performance.