how do we (speak) like a palace: a deep listening session

‘how do we (speak) like a palace: a deep listening session’ invites you to encounter the tension and joys of disabled speech by listening to a 30-minute soundscape in silent disco style, followed by a conversation with the soundscape’s co-creators graeme dyck and jennifer lindsay. this session will be accompanied by animation by winnie truong.

when you listen to the soundscape, you will become immersed in four worlds of disabled speech. each world will be introduced and characterized by specific sound cues: the sounds of a bus, a passenger asking a question, and a pause, followed by water in the first world, earth and wind in the second world, an electroacoustic composition in the third world, and a combination of all sound cues in the fourth world. all sound cues overlap with language-based field recordings.

these worlds encounter a body with disabled speech for the first time. unmake it by unlearning coping strategies invested in cure; delight in it with euphoric embrace, and reimagine it with tenderness and possibility.

after listening to the soundscape as a group, graeme and jennifer will share how the soundscape came to be and where it is going. then, they will open the conversation to explore your sensory experience with the soundscape, as well as possibilities of disabled speech. you will be invited to consider: what does disabled speech sound like? what does it create? how do you (speak) like a palace?

seating is limited. in consideration of everyone who would like to come, please email the event contact if you are unable to make it.

this deep listening session is a preface to an interdisciplinary dance-theatre production premiering at the nancy and ed jackman performance centre in toronto on june 10, 2027.