Cre8 Theatre proudly brings back Deaf Arts Festival NI, a vibrant celebration of d/Deaf culture, creativity, and inclusion. This festival champions d/Deaf artists, breaking down communication barriers and uniting d/Deaf and hearing communities through accessible theatre and co-created performances.

With interpreters at every event, it ensures an immersive and engaging experience for all. At its core, the festival promotes access, representation, and the unique beauty of d/Deaf identity, making the arts a space where everyone can connect and participate. Please see age group guidance per event.

Festival Programme:

21 March

• Festival opening event | 7pm: Hosted by Paula Clarke. This event is open to the public. The festival team will do a run-down of festival events, featuring what not to miss! A great opportunity to mingle with the artists performing in the various festival events and meet the team behind the festival magic. For all the family. You can also turn up to this event without booking!
• Sign Song Session | 7.30pm: Join us for an engaging Sign Song Session, where music meets the beauty of sign language! This unique experience is designed for individuals of all ages to explore the world of songs through expressive signing

• Children’s BSL Workshop | 10am: Drop off your kids to our ‘Ready, Steady SIGN!’ session and let them burn off some energy and learn an amazing skill – Sign Language.
• Coffee Morning - An open sharing session for all | 10am: A safe space where all are welcome to open important conversations about deaf access and more.
• BSL Gallery tour | 11.15am: Join Paula Clarke, deaf BSL signer and art facilitator for an interactive tour of The MAC Theatre art galleries.
• History of The Troubles tour | 12.30pm: Join Paul Keenan on an immersive journey through Belfast’s history, exploring The Troubles, the Peace Wall, and firsthand experiences—all shared in an accessible language.
• Ray Bradshaw - Deaf Comedy Fam | 1pm: Full of hilarious, revealing tales about growing up with deaf parents, Deaf Comedy Fam is a show all about being a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) and everything that happens with that. Ray will be telling stories from his last 3 UK tours in a special performance accompanied by a BSL Interpreter.
• Open Mic Comedy Improv | 2.15pm: Host Ray Bradshaw and friends will guide performers in an open mic session. A chance for festival artists and the public to ‘step on’ to our open stage and share a thought, a story, poetry, an act, whatever you would like to share.
• Filmmaking with Klarissa | 3.30pm: An insight into the filmmaking world and the experiences of transitioning careers, using transferable skills.
• Ready, Steady, Sign! | 3.45pm: Everyone is welcome at our ‘Ready, Steady SIGN!’ session. Come all ages and learn an amazing skill – Sign Language.
  
• After Party  | 9pm: A live DJ set where you can sing, sign, dance and party the wee hours away, upstairs in the Sunflower Bar.

23 March

• Sculpt a Bunny Craft Workshop | 12pm: Bring yourself, your friends, your family along (deaf and hearing together)to a fun and friendly crafting workshop where you will create a rabbit ornament. Something you can take away with you. Maybe for the Christmas tree or to put up in your bedrooms or around the home.
• Ready, Steady, SIGN! | 2pm: Come all ages and learn an amazing skill – Sign Language. Presented by Sign Source Learning.
• Walking The Maritime Mile …….. And Beyond  | 1pm: Come and explore Belfast’s Docklands on a walking tour, uncovering its rich history, Titanic heritage, and vibrant redevelopment along the River Lagan!