Talk Is Free Theatre to Offer ARIA Translation Glasses for Productions Beginning With SOMETHING OLD
Playwright Marjorie Chan's bilingual production runs at Toronto's Aki Studio, directed by Nina Lee Aquino.
Talk is Free Theatre's roprietary Augmented Reality for Immersive Accessibility (ARIA) translation glasses will be offered for use, free of charge, for all of the company's local productions.
Beginning with the world premiere of Something Old by Keara Voo next month, audiences will have the opportunity to watch theatre in the language of their choice (up to 48 currently available), with translations appearing on transparent, colourless lenses of this wearable technology which was developed software engineer Igor Chernukhin with consultation and management by TIFT artists.
While translations tools for theatre are not new, TIFT's ARIA glasses are unique in their ability to allow simultaneous translation into many different languages at the same time, while also allowing them to maintain their focus on the action in front of them. This proves especially beneficial for immersive theatre and theatre in non-traditional spaces, which makes up the bulk of what TIFT produces.
TIFT designed and developed ARIA translation glasses with the intention of breaking down barriers of access to theatre and aid with the integration of new Canadians.
Epstein also notes that ARIA can also be used as an accessibility tool for those who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment by simply displaying untranslated text onto the lenses.
Something Old, about a young woman navigating familial challenges while planning her traditional Chinese wedding, runs June 18-27, 2026, at Morrison CPA, 1895 Commerce Park Drive, Innisfil.
Patrons wishing to make use of ARIA are asked to let TIFT know up to twenty-four hours before they attend the performance by calling 705-792-1949 or emailing admin@tift.ca.
ARIA is one of several Service Projects initiated by the company with the goal of stimulating broader transformation of the professional theatre milieu, It was originally managed by Joe Pagnan and developed by Igor Chernukhin, and is currently managed by Artist BIG member Gabi Epstein and with further technical development by Wade Bogert-O'Brien.
Talk Is Free Theatre has enjoyed over twenty years of developing and producing theatre. Our mission is to produce a range of cutting edge theatre works and to connect them with as wide an array of people as possible–especially with new, non-urban audiences. TIFT is Central Ontario's only professional theatre company with a full, traditional autumn-through-spring season. Their diversity of repertoire has included over 170 immersive experiences, off-centre musicals, reinterpretations of classics, and new works large and small.
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