Gem

Seen & Heard follows Seeing Voices Montreal, a theatre group that stages mixed English and American Sign Language (ASL) productions. And with The Little Mermaid, they're taking on their biggest challenge yet.

The group’s founders explain their ideals for this mixed Deaf and hearing theatre group. But plans to conduct a first meeting in sign language get derailed, leaving the Deaf participants frustrated.

Director Jack tests out his play's jokes on a hearing pal while producer Aselin shares how she started the theatre group and became estranged from her parents in the process.

Director Jack’s hearing teammates join him to help audition actors for The Little Mermaid’s hearing roles. But the team starts to panic when no Deaf women come to audition for the lead role.

The team finally casts the lead role. Rehearsals start and the largely LSQ/ French cast struggles with the English script and ASL signs. Cast members share their very different experiences growing up Deaf.

When the Deaf actors mock a non-signing hearing actor, Jack finds a way to help them connect.

Tough new stage manager Lyanna starts running a tighter ship, and director Jack and actor David lock horns over a costume that will impede an actor’s communication to Deaf audience members.

Tension and chaos abound before showtime when director Jack gathers everyone for a last pep talk and group hug. The curtain rises. The audience loves the show and the cast is elated!

A show-down between the frustrated stage manager and director Jack erupts before the final performance, and a painful post-mortem reveals the group’s growing pains.