Thank you for your interest
in booking Trix Bruce for a
workshop and/or a show. Trix
Bruce is honored to present
in your area. To suggest a
date for a workshop and/or a
show, you may contact Trix
through her website. Please
understand that Trix can not
guarantee to meet or to hold
your requested date, as she
has numerous requests
throughout the year for her
performances. Please keep in
mind that the discussion of
a date does not constitute a
confirmation. Send an email
requesting a date and either
Trix or her manager will
contact you to make final
arrangements. A confirmation
will be sent by email with
the booking information,
date, and proposed
arrangements. Please have
the "approval" invitation
ready to send with your
request. Only when both your
final approval and Trix's
final approval are both
official will a particular
date be considered as a
booked date. Workshop/Shows List Print
Out Available (
)
WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS
Excellent for Interpreters,
ASL Students
“Face-Painting” with
Non-Manual Signals in ASL
Non-manual signals (NMS) in
American Sign Language
enrich and clarify the
meaning of manual signs.
Come and learn the art of
painting your face with a
full spectrum of NMS colors
and designs. Non-Manual
Signals include: 1)
Non-Manual Adverbs 2)
Lexical Non-Manual Behaviors
3) Non-Manual Grammatical
Markers 4) Emotional States
/ Evaluative Judgments 5)
Prosodic Structure 6)
Discourse Structure 7)
Turn-Taking 8) Backchannel
Feedback 9) Grammatical
“Sound” Markers, and 10)
Mouth Movements. This
workshop will focus on
developing accurate
non-manual signals and
markers as used in ASL.
Demonstrations of each
category of facial behaviors
and head movements will be
shown in context. Practice
exercises will be offered.
By the end of this workshop,
you’ll be an artist!
VISUALIZE THIS: Drawing in
Space With ASL Classifiers
As a native English speaker,
you work within a linear
language, but American Sign
Language (ASL) uses space,
movement, classifiers and
layers to show visual
pictures. Would you like to
learn how to quickly and
artistically convey an
English message in ASL?
Come to this workshop to
learn how. Show a car
accident, Lasik eye surgery,
or a gymnast, using
classifiers. Participants
will explore how to
translate ideas visually.
This workshop strongly
focuses on ASL storytelling
and ASL performing. Hands-on
experiences & skill building
activities will clarify eye
gaze, role shifting, and
spatial referencing.
Emphasis is placed on
developing the ability to
think in pictures as a way
to improve expressive and
receptive communication
skills.
ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS: Whoa!
Train Zoom Gone. Did You See
What She Signed? What did
she mean by that and how can
I say it in English?
English Equivalents is a
powerful workshop that will
guide participants in
finding ways to express
idiomatic translations from
American Sign Language (ASL)
to English, and from English
to ASL. Many signs are
complex and not easy to
translate. This workshop
will give you the skill to
get your ideas across, no
matter how idiomatic or
technical the original
expression. English
Equivalents in ASL will help
you confidently continue the
flow of information exchange
from ASL to English and from
English to ASL.
ASL Role Shifting: “He Said,
She Said…”
Role-Shifting is so much
more than just narrating!
Tell stories by becoming the
characters. It is important
for the audience to tell
which character is speaking,
and you can learn to do that
in this workshop, which
focuses on ASL storytelling
techniques for: 1)
developing story characters,
2) role shifting, eye gaze,
and spatial referencing
3) identifying speakers,
shifting between speakers,
and matching speakers'
affect, and 4) understanding
the difference between the
storytelling and discourse.
Participants will have
hands-on practice with the
material presented in the
workshop, and will receive
feedback on their ASL
performance exercises.
English Idioms: PSST...How
Do You Interpret That? Fire up your creativity and
learn how to interpret
idioms in American Sign
Language! This workshop will
guide participants in
expressing idiomatic
concepts across languages.
Idioms breathe life into
language. Come and join us
as we master idioms!
ASL SEMANTICS: Precision of
Expression in ASL
Semantics
is defined as the study of
meanings expressed by the
elements of a language or a
combination of the elements.
A concept expressed in an
ASL sign often cannot be
conveyed by a single
all-purpose English word.
Likewise, English words and
phrases may have variations
in meaning, which require
translations using different
ASL signs. This workshop
helps the student advance
skills in translating the
languages of ASL and
English.
What’s your TAKE on ASL
Semantics? TAKE a Look and
TAKE Home a Big Take.
Semantics is defined as the study of meanings
expressed by the elements of
a language or a combination
of the elements. A
concept expressed in an ASL
sign often cannot be
conveyed by a single English
word. Likewise, English
words and phrases may have
variations in meaning, which
require translations using
different ASL signs. This
workshop helps the student
advance skills in
translating the languages of
ASL and English. This
workshop focuses on the word
“TAKE”.
ASL Extreme Makeovers: The
Art of Personification
Learn
how to “change yourself”
into someone or something
else. In literature, the
technique of
“personification” gives an
inanimate object, a plant,
or an animal characteristics
that make it seem “human”.
The object shows emotions
and takes on person-like
behaviors. You can use this
technique in American Sign
Language to “become” a
flower, butterfly, or even a
book! Trix will demonstrate
how to personify characters
and shift roles within your
story. You’ll learn how to
“become” a baseball,
basketball, beach ball,
bowling ball, football,
marble, ping pong ball,
racquetball, soccer ball,
water polo ball, and more!
Voice Interpreting with
Trix: “Psst…Did I say that
right?”
Whoops! What did I say?
Review and re-do in an
atmosphere of support and
good humor by joining this
confidence-building
workshop. Boost your
professional skills while
you have fun rambling
through Trix’s stories. Get
ready for power voice
interpreting with Trix’s fun
workshop!
Visible Words: The Art of
Storytelling With
Classifiers
Let’s create better visual imagery with ASL classifiers! Maybe
you’ve wondered: Are there
any new classifiers? Which
classifiers best express
certain ideas? How can we
use classifiers most
effectively? ASL classifiers
are simply handshapes used
to convey action and ideas
in concise and visually
articulate ways. Let’s
polish our storytelling by
improving visual imagery
with classifiers. This
workshop will offer hands-on
practice in using classifier
handshapes with creativity
and precision. Move away
from thinking in English and
stringing signs together.
Let handshapes tell the
story!
A Classifier is Born!
Some
people believe in limiting
language creativity, but
world-wide and throughout
history, languages have
emerged and evolved through
communication and
storytelling. When a unique
predicate classifier is
created within a story, and
ASL users adopt it
naturally, a new classifier
is born. Come to this
workshop to see the process
in action.
Close-Up Views: Classifiers
Under the Microscope
Get a close-up 3-D view of life under the microscope with
classifiers. Clearly
translate ideas from English
to ASL with real objects and
the human body as a focus of
description. Zoom in on
learning to use classifiers
effectively.
Trix’s ASL Toolkit for
Number Incorporation
This
workshop is provided for
anyone who wishes to improve
their American Sign Language
skills focusing specifically
on various number systems
found in ASL. Trix’s
workshop presentation and
your interaction with other
participants will give you
plenty of opportunities to
improve your receptive and
expressive sign skills.
Trix’s ASL Toolkit for
Number Incorporation
workshop will help you sign
numbers related to
sports and games, eye doctor
appointments, mathematics
classes, and award
conferences, as well as
countless other
number-related situations.
Come and learn!
Handshape Clarity:
Really? Did I sign
that?
Handshapes are a vital
American Sign Language (ASL)
parameter. Linguists
have identified a large
number of discrete
handshapes. Trix will
demonstrate how to use these
particular handshapes most
effectively, fine-tuning
nuances and associated palm
orientations, locations, and
movement.
Excellent for ASL Students
Trix Upon A Time: An ASL
Storytelling Handbook
Create
your own visual
storytelling! Participants
in this exciting workshop
will brainstorm the steps
needed to put a story
together, list associated
sensory impressions, and use
Role Shifting, Eye Gaze,
Characterization, and
Classifiers to build
compelling ASL stories.
Creative ASL
Cookbook: Recipes for ASL
Performance
Come
stir up something visually
delicious! Learn how to put
ASL ingredients together to
serve a banquet for the
eyes. Let’s cook up a story
in ASL, using some new ideas
to give ASL storytelling
more flavor and appeal. This
workshop will focus on ASL
storytelling techniques
for:1)
Developing story
characters 2) Using role
shift, eye gaze, and spatial
referencing 3) Employing
classifiers more effectively
4) Applying grammar,
expression, and appropriate
signing speed 5)Performing
the construction of 3-D
structural images 6)
Utilizing ASL grammar to
indicate "sounds" AND 7)
Comparing ASL storytelling
and ASL discourse.
Participants will have
hands-on practice with the
material presented in the
workshop, and will receive
feedback on their ASL
performance exercises.
The Whats, Whys, & Hows of
the Classifiers in ASL
English
speaker you work within a
linear language, but ASL
uses space and movement
through classifiers to show
a visual picture. When using
Classifiers, are you able to
clearly portray the English
message into ASL? This
workshop provides
participants with an
overview of using
Classifiers, by focusing on
what they mean, when to use
them and how they are used.
This workshop will also
provide hands-on experiences
& skill building activities
needed for appropriate
classifier use applied to
complex descriptions and
images.
PERFORMANCE SHOWS
The Hearing World Around Me
Welcome to the World of
Trix, and exciting true
tales about life as a deaf
person among the hearing.
With Trix's stories,
Awakening in the Wind, Notes
Under The Door, and more,
you will see her
embarrassing moments,
challenges, learning
experiences, and a growing
sense of pride. People with
no clue what deafness is
like will come to understand
something about it while
enjoying these true stories.
Tales of a Mad, Mad, Mad ASL
World
Trix performs amazing feats
of American Sign Language
skill, thrives on audience
interaction, and enjoys
accepting artistic
challenges. With her
creative storytelling, she
brings into play various
handshapes, classifiers, 3-D
representations,
personification, role
shifts, international sign,
and more. Let Trix take you
on a roller coaster ride
through ASL poetry,
storytelling, and folk
tales.
A Handmade Treasury of Deaf
Folktales
The heart
and soul of Deaf culture is
passed from generation to
generation through sign
language folktales, stories,
jokes, puns, and other forms
of cultural expression.
As Trix weaves these tales
into a performance, the
audience will gain insight
into the Deaf experience and
the ways in which Deaf
people view the world around
them. These cultural
gems help to explain Deaf
identity.
A Story Worth A Thousand
Signs
As a
poet, storyteller,
presenter, and teacher, Trix
pursues her dreams through
performance. She tips her
hat to audience members, who
are following their own
dreams. Trix draws her
inspiration from the
audience, encouraging people
to become involved in the
performance. The Star
Spangled Banner, The Silent
Music Band Group, The Use of
Handshapes in Storytelling,
and more adventures will be
performed by Trix and YOU!
This show is excellent for
children.
A Night of Improv with Trix:
Whose ASL is it?”
You've
heard of the TV Show “Whose
line is it anyway?" right?
Now, it's coming to a stage
near you, only this time
it's in ASL! With no
practice, no preparation,
using different ideas from
the audience, and using
people from audience, Trix
will captivate you with her
impromptu "ASL-libbing" and
a night of hearty laughter!
Trix’s ASL Idol!
Join
the fun and show off your
talents in “Trix’s ASL
Idol”! Let the magic happen
as you try out your improv
signing skills at this
creative event. Join in as
Trix and event participants
compose and present A to Z,
number, and handshape
stories, and all kinds of
ASL entertainment. Deaf
judges will determine
contest winners. Don’t miss
this sensational signing
extravaganza!
Adventuring in ASL: Trix’s
Travels
Trix's
newest show, Adventuring in
ASL: Trix’s Travels,
features hilarious true
tales. Trix has journaled
through years of journeying,
and now she’s ready to share
these stories with you. As a
Deaf person traveling among
hearing people, Trix has
experienced incredible ups
and downs, adventures,
snags, crazy-making moments,
and eventual happy landings.
Trix draws you in as she
encounters
misunderstandings, missed
flights, embarrassing times,
exciting challenges, and a
growing sense of
travel-savvy. Take a ride
with Trix, and see for
yourself!
SPECIAL
PRESENTATIONS
SIGNS GONE WRONG: ASL
BLOOPERS
Over
the years, interpreters,
students and teachers have
shared with Trix some of the
unintentionally funny things
they’ve signed. We’ve all
had this kind of experience.
Let’s help each other make
it through as we laugh at
our ASL bloopers!
ASL POETRY: Visual Art from
the Heart
Let's
express our joy and sadness
in language. Trix takes you
on this journey of images,
metaphors, wisdom, humor,
and joy. Participants will
focus on Signing Space,
Prosodic Movements with
Affect (Emotions), Language
Play, and Poetic use of ASL.
Feelin’ The Sounds: Let Your
Hands Do The Dance!
Trix brings you a show to
remember as she blends her
story-poems with sound
effects and music. Her songs
in sign language will dance
their way into your heart.
Trix lights up the stage
with sign, stories, sound,
dance, flash images,
captioning, characters and
video clips to awaken the
poet in you. Along with
voiceovers by Jenn Lee and
sound effects designed by
Kenan Pekoz, Trix will use
sign language in ways that
will delight your senses and
touch your heart.
THE DEAF WOMAN'S SECRET OF
SUCCESS: JUST BE YOURSELF!
It's a
Deaf woman's world! Aspiring
women who want to increase
their awareness and nurture
their talents will enjoy
this seminar. Deaf
businesswoman Trix Bruce
brings you a workshop
showing you how she put her
mind to developing a
business that was after her
heart. Trix's presentation
will get you thinking about
how your own ideas can help
you build a successful
business. Trix discovered a
path to her successful
career and her tips will
help you develop as a Deaf
female role model. If you
are a Deaf woman with a
vision, Trix will encourage
you to make that climb and
get to the top! Be proud of
your talents, your
accomplishments, and your
forward looking goals.
"Can Do It!" Attitude
Trix's
life experiences and
hard-won wisdom fuel her
successful business.
Energize your drive to
success as you learn to
advance your career with
education, opportunity, and
a "Can-Do-It!" attitude.
Presenting practical
outlines for Deaf and
hearing people, enhancing
individual achievement as
well as teamwork, Trix
guides you towards greater
success and a more
fulfilling life path.
Empowerment Through Signing
Skills
Get ready to face your
challenges and win! Trix’s
tips empower you in building
superior signing skills.
Trix will review regional
accents and cultural
perspectives. Trix has
worked with students,
teachers, and cultural
perspectives. She’s learned
about their challenges, and
in conversation with Deaf
friends, as well as through
surveys, Trix has discovered
ways to support signing
empowerment. Trix helps
workshop participants feel
“on top of the world”. How
do you handle it when
someone criticizes your
skills? Learn to honor
yourself and your values,
your time, and the skills
that you’ve been building
over the years.
Trix Bruce Turns Deafness
and Disability to
Communication and
Capability: Workshop for
Supervisors, Managers and
Human Resources Staff
This entertaining workshop for supervisors, managers, and HR staff
will reduce barriers and
enhance communication with
deaf and disabled persons in
the workplace. Learn updated
techniques for interviewing,
sourcing candidates, and
working as a team.
Participants will get tips
for better communication,
discover relevant cultural
information, watch vignettes
from real life, and have
opportunity for questions
and discussion.
You Can Learn to “Think
Deaf”! Visual Gestural
Communication Skills
No more searching
desperately through books
or depending on teachers to
tell you how to sign
something. You can
learn to “Think Deaf”!
Visual gestural skills will
get your point across,
with or without traditional
sign. Build your confidence
in communicating with Deaf
communities.
Baby Signs in ASL
Signs are
fun for hearing babies, too!
Have you ever wondered about
the benefits of teaching
American Sign Language (ASL)
to the children in your
care? Babies and children 7
months to 2 years are able
to understand and respond
through sign language. Using
ASL to communicate with
infants and pre-verbal
children is helpful and fun.
With ASL, you can open up a
world of communication with
little ones!
Trix is available for
booking!
Please print the Performer
Request Form
(.pdf)
.
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