Listen With Your Eyes
Bo Tasker
Bo Tasker was born in Johannesburg, and grew up in Durban KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and has many talents. He is a circus artist, drummer and performer. He has been performing for more than 10 years as a professional fire spinner, drummer and stilt walker in circuses, clubs, casinos, festivals (e.g. World Cup Fan Festival), private functions and events (e.g. World Federation of Deaf Congress 2011, Durban). His recent success was part of the Afromix, a cross-cultural exchange project between artists and cultures of Reunion Island and South Africa. This involved touring Reunion Island in major festivals and venues in 2011 and again in 2012, led by Durban production company Blue Fire, and Reunion cultural NPO Bouge a Zot. His other recent success in the performing arts was as an actor in the two plays, 'Listen with your Eyes' and 'Talking Hands, The Play''- the major production during the Catalina's ‘Talking Hands’ - the first ever Deaf Theatre festival of South Africa, in September 2012. His recent international success was at the Festival d’Oeil, Reims, France 2013 where he performed 'Listen with your Eyes' and conducted children's workshop teaching children poi performance. He is currently a freelance poi perfomer and slit walker at the various festivals/events.
Darren Rajbal
Darren Rajbal was born and bred in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He is a Hip Hop dancer and became the first ever winner of the reality competition ‘SA's Got Talent’, flighted on SABC2 in 2009. He went on to tour the UK in 2011 - a two-phase project consisting of “Hip Hope Hero” - an international artistic exchange between schools in South Africa and in the UK and a professional touring show co-produced by The Birmingham REP. He recently graduated with a diploma in Animation from the Creative Arts College, Durban. His recent success was performing in the two plays 'Listen with your Eyes' and 'Talking Hands, The Play''- the major production during the Catalina's ‘Talking Hands’ - the first ever Deaf Theatre festival of South Africa, in September 2012. He also hosted a children’s dance workshop during the Festival. This confident and dedicated young man is passionate about drawing, animation and not to mention dancing! Darren was over the moon about being part of the first-ever South African cast to perform at Festival d’Oeil, Reims, France in 2013.
Ismael Mansoor
Ismael Mansoor was born in Manzini, Swaziland and grew up in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. He is an inspiring young poet who loves writing poetry and stories and is a very keen sportsman. After he matriculated in 2007 he was unemployed and did some odd jobs and worked at his mother's business "Wal-Training" as an admin and delivery driver. He started writing to keep himself from losing his faith and vision since 2010. Writing has become his compass in life and passion. His recent success was performing in the two plays, 'Listen with your Eyes' and 'Talking Hands, The Play'' - the major production at the Catalina's ‘Talking Hands’ - the first ever Deaf Theatre festival of South Africa, in September 2012. His recent international success was taking part in the exciting journey that is Festival d'Oeil, Reims, France in 2013.
Alison Swannack
Director/Producer
Alison Claire Swannack was born to British parents in Australia and grew up in England and South Africa is an educator, activist and passionate advocate for the South African Deaf community. Alison's experience includes working and studying both in South Africa and Australia. She was the Exhibition convenor at World Federation of Deaf Congress 2011 and has just completed a big project as the only Deaf team member writing the SASL (South African Sign Language) National curriculum with the Department of Basic Education in Pretoria. Alison worked on various portfolios at Catalina UnLtd – a South African theatre company located in the city of Durban and is also working on another project as the Festival Director of Catalina's 2nd Deaf Theatre Festival 2016 which she and her team founded in September 2012. She is currently working at the Wits Language School, the University of the Witswatersrand as a SASL Academic Programme Cooridnator and Currciulum Developer.
Alison is a passionate believer that the performing arts has a major role to play in impacting the quality of life and access for Deaf South Africans and is thrilled to be taking part in the exciting journey of taking South African Deaf theatre to new audiences in Europe She believes access to several International Deaf festivals will enrich and promote the Deaf South African artists to partake and be invited to future national and international tours.
