Welcome to the digital program for Blind Dates
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Blind Dates by Vivian Chong
A Theatre Passe Muraille Production
Presented by Public Energy Performing Arts
Image Description: Vivian Chong sits in a bright yellow kayak on bright aqua water. Her arms are raised triumphantly, paddle in hand. The image is cut into Public Energy’s brand logo shape, which somewhat resembles a power plug with three prongs at the bottom. Text on the image indicates that this is a theatre performance.
Pictured: Vivian Chong
Credits and Music
Show length: 65 minutes, followed by a 15 minute Q&A and a lobby reception
Written, Performed & Composed by Vivian Chong
Directed and Dramaturged by Marjorie Chan
Set Design by Echo Zhou
Sound Design by Gloria Mok
Lighting Design by Steph Raposo
Stage Management by Flávia F. Martin
Non-visual Dramaturgy by Jessica Watkin
Projections & Captioning Consultant April Leung
Access Support & Dramaturgy Associate Mandy E. MacLean
Production Management by Aidan Hammond
Touring Production Management by Carlos Varela
Venue and Touring Technician Chris Sutherland
Production Crew
Set Construction and Technical Support: David Fisher
Scenic Paint: Edith Nataprawira
Music (in the order it appears)
All music and lyrics by Vivian Chong
Performed by Vivian Chong
Lily Pad – instrumental piano
Cabin Fever – ukulele and vocals
One Blue at a Time – piano and vocals
Mirror Image– instrumental piano
Self Made Woman – piano and vocals
How We Met – piano and vocals
Special Thanks to
Stacie Dunlop, Njo Kong Kie, Diana Tso, Neha Ross, Olivia Zotti
ACCESSIBILITY:
Relaxed Environment
A Relaxed Environment (RE) is created for audiences who have various access needs that a traditional theatre environment does not accommodate. Before a Relaxed Environment performance, audiences will get an access guide that gives them all the information they need to know for the performance (directions to the theatre, pre-show warnings, etc.)
During a Relaxed Environment performance an audience member can: enter and exit the theatre, move around throughout the theatre, can make noise or sounds, and those who need to keep their phone on will be able to do so as long as it is on silent or on vibrate. Throughout the show, there will be some light over the audience.
Environmental Warnings
Water Based Haze
2 instances of flashing lights
Content Warnings
Mentions of Harassment
Blind Friendly Performance
Elements of the show have been created or adapted to better include Blind audience members.
Captioned Performance
AI generated captions will appear on a screen onstage, capturing all spoken text for this performance.
Access Guide
An Access Guide is a package that aims to support people with communication difficulties, learning disabilities, English as a second language and Autistic People. It can be used to help anyone access and understand the play. The package may include spoilers. View the Blind Dates Access Guide Here.
Venue Guide
A Venue Guide provides detailed information to navigate to and within the venue. View the Market Hall venue guide here.
Note from the Playwright:
Hey friends, I’m Vivian Chong. I hope you enjoy my theatre show Blind Dates. As a theatre creator, I’m here to entertain and enlighten you and bring more joy in this world. Sometimes when we make new connections, it might not always be successful. We get scared by the largeness of it, and it challenges us.
Sometimes we forget who we are. And I get scared, too. I’m with you on that. Whenever that happens, remember who you are and bring your best forward. Then you remember how to recreate new connections, make new friends, and find new experiences. Everything is for our growth. Remember who you are and then you can radiate your best outward.
We need more love in this world. Love is here for all of us.
Vivian Chong
Playwright, Composer and Performer, Blind Dates
Listen to an audio version of this note here
Note from the Director:
Thank you so much for joining us at this production of Blind Dates. We’re so thrilled to have Vivian Chong create and perform with us this season, bringing her blend of song and storytelling to our stage. Developed through TPM’s BUZZ Program, the show also benefitted from support from Diaspora Dialogues, and the Ontario Arts Council.
For Blind Dates, it has been an incredible journey of affirming’s Vivian’s desire to speak to her intersectional experience of finding love. This has been reflected in our approach in rehearsals, access and transportation support, and with the collaboration of the amazing designers of the project (Echo Zhou, Gloria Mok, and Steph Raposo). Every design aspect has been carefully considered to provide the most accessible and empowering experience for the creator/performer – from the adjustment of performer-friendly lighting, to audio-led dramaturgical discussions, as well as a tactile set.
For the audience, there has been consideration to make the production as ‘Blind-Friendly’ as possible as well. The set itself with different surfaces provides staging information for the audience as Vivian moves around it. We created a tactile wall on the way into the theatre, that provides access to some of the textures of the show, as well as an audio visual description of the set. Additionally, the run is relaxed, with re-entry permitted and as well, Vivian’s text is projected above the stage via AI for audiences who might require surtitling support for the show.
We’re so thrilled at TPM to be able to offer such a diverse season with so much representation from the Deaf and Disability community on our stages. Although not our specific intention to program in this way, at the same time it is indicative of our continued commitment in working in these communities, including both development of the plays as well as building trust with artists. At TPM we are interested in works with a potential to create conversation, that can affirm or challenge, and ultimately entertain.
Enjoy Blind Dates!
Marjorie Chan
Artistic Director, TPM
Director & Dramaturge, Blind Dates
Listen to an audio version of this note here
Cast
Vivian Chong | Playwright, Performer, Composer
I am an artist, potter, sculpter, painter, singer song writer, playwright, theatre creator, actor, dancer,drummer, film maker, comic book author, yoga instructor, tri-athlete
Dora Award nominee, finalist of the Toronto Book Award. Youth leader for the blind community, accessible yoga teacher, audio description consultant
Image description: Vivian posing in front of grafiti in mexico wearing yellow sunglasses and purple top.
Photo credit: Jeff Dusome
