Role: Producer & Director (2022–February 2024)
Collective: Survivance Collective
Description:
SURVIVANCE: Monologues is a groundbreaking theatrical performance that amplifies the voices of Black Deaf women through deeply personal monologues. Produced and directed by Ebony R. Gooden, the piece addresses themes of racism, audism, ableism, colorism, and more, with a powerful identity and intersectionality.
Each monologue deals with an aspect of their intersectional experience, touching on heavy topics about oppression, such as racism, audism, ableism, colorism, and more. A recurring theme throughout the piece is the colour of their hands as they navigate what it means to be Black, Deaf and a woman.
Performance Highlights:
- Reims, France: Clin d’œil International Deaf Festival (July 2022)
- Montreal, Quebec: Dis/Abilities Diversity Sets Culture in Motion (October 2023)
- New Brunswick, Canada: Dialogues on The Edge (September 2023)
- Winnipeg: Dialogues on The Edge (June 2023)
- Halifax, Toronto: National Deaf Arts & Culture Festival (July 2024)
About Survivance Collective:
Survivance Collective, previously known as Black De’VIA Collective, was co-founded in December 2021 by Natasha ‘Courage’ Bacchus, Hodan Youssouf, Tamyka Bullen, Ebony R. Gooden, and Jo-Anne Bryan. Initiated by Natasha ‘Courage’ Bacchus, the collective is dedicated to supporting multidisciplinary art in film and theatre that reflects radical intersectional analysis of racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, and ableism.
Mission Statement:
The purpose of Survivance Collective is to create Black Deaf Canadian film and theatre that serves as a platform for emerging and future Black Deaf artists to collaborate and expand their diverse skills in various art forms such as acting, filmmaking, storytelling, dancing, playwright, and theatre designing. The collective aims to establish core values to strengthen teamwork and carry the legacy to the next generation. The SURVIVANCE collective is based on Black Deaf women’s real intersectionalized stories to provide representation, empowerment, and healing for Black Deaf women and communities worldwide.
Themes Explored in Monologues:
- Racism and colorism
- Audism and ableism
- Intersectional oppression
- Identity reclamation and resilience
Performers:
- Natasha ‘Courage’ Bacchus
- Hodan Youssouf
- Tamyka Bullen
- Jo-Anne Bryan
Grant Support and Sponsors:
Supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, with grants for the Reims, France performance and script development. Special thanks to the Calgary Association of the Deaf and community donors for their contributions.
