Accessibility as an artistic strategy and inspiration (TIKSI)

– A Performing Arts Development Project 2023 - 2025

 

TIKSI is the name of DuvTeatern's performing arts development project (2023-2025). It is also a new approach to thinking about and working with accessibility in performing arts.

The project's aim is to provide performing artists and theater workers with opportunities to broaden their horizons, explore new artistic choices, and push the boundaries of performing arts. Ultimately, it seeks to increase accessibility, foster greater diversity, and achieve broader representation in the Finnish performing arts field among both artists and audiences.

The TIKSI project includes activities such as lectures, discussions, exploratory workshops, networking, platforms for testing new ideas, and artistic research.

Traditional Accessibility Solutions

Traditionally, performances are made accessible for deaf/sign language audiences and visually impaired audiences through various accessibility services. The theater may, for example, arrange sign language interpretation or audio description. The sign language interpreter translates the spoken lines, soundscape, and music of the performance into sign language, usually from a spot at the side of the stage. The audio describer interprets the visual information into speech delivered to the audience through headphones.

For audiences with cognitive or linguistic difficulties understanding plotlines, complex language, or abstract elements, simplified introductions or synopses may be offered. Alternatively, these (adult) audiences are directed toward performances intended for children.

How is TIKSI different?

The TIKSI project views accessibility as a concern for the entire artistic team. The project investigates how accessibility solutions can inspire artistic choices from the beginning of the process rather than being added as a service afterward. It explores how accessibility can be integrated into the artistic whole of a performance and how this affects set design, sound and lighting design, costume planning, directing, and acting.

Together with partners and experts, DuvTeatern explores various creative accessibility solutions for deaf/sign language audiences, visually impaired audiences, and audiences with cognitive or linguistic challenges.

The goal is to create a more equitable theater experience where more audience members can enjoy a thoughtfully crafted artistic experience without intermediaries.

TIKSI in Production: The Performance Livsfarligt på allvar!

The play Livsfarligt på allvar! - a hard-to-interpret murder mystery, premiered on October 10, 2024. It was created by DuvTeatern in collaboration with the University of the Arts Helsinki's Theatre Academy and Svenska Teatern. The play is a one-act murder mystery comedy for a broad audience. A key aim was to integrate accessibility solutions for deaf/sign language audiences, visually impaired audiences, and audiences with cognitive or linguistic challenges directly into the artistic expression of the performance.

Integrated Sign Language

Finnish and Finland-Swedish sign language have been incorporated into the play's stage language by involving a sign language actor and a sign language interpreter in acting roles. Other actors in the ensemble also deliver lines in sign language or use individual signs to support the sign language audience's understanding. Some dialogues, sounds, and sound effects are illustrated or captioned as part of the visual presentation. Lighting design accommodates the specific needs of sign language communication, and costume choices consider hand visibility through thoughtful color and design selections.

Integrated Audio Description

Audio description has been embedded in the play's script and soundscape in collaboration with an audio description consultant. The goal was to make auditory storytelling as equal to visual storytelling as possible. Lines and narrative segments include descriptions of fictional locations, character appearances, and other essential information for visually impaired audiences. Sound design incorporates informative sound effects and music storytelling. Even sounds created by props and some actors' footwear are part of the integrated audio description.

Accessible Understanding

The characters, dialogue, lighting, sound, video, and costume design were developed to support understanding of the plot and events. The aim was to make a complex plot more accessible by addressing challenges openly, clarifying complex parts, and using simplified Swedish language.

TIKSI in Marketing and Communication

The TIKSI approach has also influenced the communication surrounding the play. A video-format flyer set in the fictional world of the play was created in spoken simplified Swedish, Finnish sign language, and with subtitles. An audio-based play introduction delivered by an actor in character was also developed to support the experience for visually impaired audiences.

In October 2023, the TIKSI project organized the lecture Creative Accessibility in the Performing Arts for students and professional performing artists and theater workers.