Realwheels Theatre is fundraising on behalf of Ladan Sahraei, a Vancouver-based Deaf artist who is currently attending the Deaf Arts Academy and needs your support to complete the program!

The Deaf Arts Academy is a well-known and respected institution within the Canadian Deaf arts community; as is the lead instructor, Dawn Jani Birley. They provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn performance techniques through integrated methods of sign language, movement, and acting. This is a specialized training program designed for Deaf actors to express and access emotions through somatic activities instead of relying on techniques adapted from the hearing world.

Along with a cohort of fellow Deaf artists, Ladan will explore physical acting techniques and movement improvisation to add to her repertoire of acting skills. This will allow her to perform in her own way instead of the hearing way. In addition, she will learn grant writing skills and receive mentorship and professional consultation.

The first two sessions took place in 2024 in Halifax and Winnipeg respectively. The upcoming sessions are taking place in June 2025 at Grande-Digue, New Brunswick, and in September 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. Your donation will help Ladan to fund the tuition costs and travel expenses associated with these last two sessions.

Please help us in supporting Ladan by giving today, or sharing this GoFundMe page. You can also donate directly to Ladan's Paypal - visit her website for her email.

Thanks so much!