1s1 Deaf-Led Theatre Inc.

What 1s1 Deaf-Led Theatre Inc. does

1s1 Deaf-Led Theatre Inc. is a Canadian non-profit theatre company founded in 2019 and headquartered at 9 Frank Rivers Drive, Toronto, Ontario. The company produces Deaf-led theatrical works and digital media that integrate American Sign Language (ASL), movement, music, and spoken English, building performances designed to be accessible to both Deaf and hearing audiences. Led by Founder and Artistic Director Dawn Jani Birley — an internationally recognized Deaf cultural leader — 1s1 cultivates collaborative environments where Deaf and non-signing creatives co-create bilingual storytelling that the organization frames as "so rare in Canada."

The company's portfolio spans live theatre productions and digital media products. Its theatrical works include Lady M (2023 world premiere at SummerWorks / Theatre Centre, Toronto, directed by Ramesh Meyyappan), Qalb - A Journey of the Ego (2024 at Tarragon Theatre extraspace), and the upcoming To A Flame (2026 world premiere, co-produced with Nightwood Theatre and Modern Times Stage Company). Its digital media offerings include the I Am Puff children's cartoon series, the Puff and the Magic Binoculars interactive bilingual iPad app (developed with Gallaudet University and Motion Light Lab), and the Hand in Hand video series on Deaf-hearing theatre collaborations (produced with Why Not Theatre and funded by Canada Council for the Arts).

Revenue is generated through four streams: ticket sales for live productions at Toronto venues (Theatre Centre, Tarragon Theatre, Nancy and Ed Jackman Performance Centre); one-time app purchases via the Apple App Store for iPad users globally; donations from individuals; and grants from Canadian public arts councils (Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Canadian Heritage) and private foundations (Lindy Green Family Foundation, TD Ready Commitment, Toronto Metropolitan University Chrysalis Project, Canadian Cultural Society for the Deaf). Distribution channels are split between domestic in-person venues and global digital platforms (YouTube, Apple App Store), with audiences spanning Deaf and hearing theatre-goers, children and families, and the broader Deaf cultural community.

Name

1s1 Deaf-Led Theatre Inc.

Legal name

1s1 Deaf-Led Theatre Inc.

Website

https://1s1theatre.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Short description

1s1 Deaf-Led Theatre Inc. is a Canadian non-profit founded in 2019 that produces Deaf-led theatrical productions and bilingual ASL-English digital media (including the I Am Puff children's series and iPad app) for Deaf and hearing audiences, operating from Toronto.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts

NAICS

Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education & Accessibility-Optimized Media (UDL, AAC, Captioning) (EDAGALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sign Language Learning Programs (ASL/BSL, etc.) (EDAMAFAM), Accessible Media Production (Alt Formats, Captioning, Audio Description) (EDALAGAC), Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC)

Keywords

• Deaf-led theatre
• Bilingual theatrical productions
• ASL English performance
• Inclusive performing arts
• Deaf arts education

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Live theatre productions with in-person ticket sales for Deaf and hearing audiences
2. App Sales: Sale of Puff and the Magic Binoculars interactive storytelling app through Apple App Store for iPad
3. Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Canadian Heritage, and private foundations including Lindy Green Family Foundation and TD Ready Commitment
4. Donations: Public donations and support from individuals to support accessible art

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

1s1 Deaf-Led Theatre Inc. produces and presents Deaf-led theatrical productions that integrate American Sign Language, English, movement, music, and spoken word for both Deaf and hearing audiences. The company also creates digital media, including the I Am Puff children's cartoon series and an interactive bilingual iPad storytelling app, alongside the Hand in Hand video series on Deaf-hearing theatrical collaboration.

Product overview

1S1 Theatre is a Deaf-led theatre company founded in 2019 that specializes in multifaceted storytelling connecting Deaf and hearing audiences. The company operates a portfolio of theatrical productions (To A Flame, Lady M, Qalb) and media products (I Am Puff children's series with interactive iPad app), along with educational video content (Hand in Hand series). Productions incorporate American Sign Language and English, creating bilingual theatre experiences for inclusive audiences. The company was founded by Artistic Director Dawn Jani Birley and operates from Toronto, Ontario.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• I Am Puff: Children's cartoon series created for Deaf and hearing children, featuring a character who talks about differences, diversity and acceptance. Includes an interactive bilingual storytelling app for iPad.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Why Not TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term collaboration partner since 2015, co-presenting productions including Lady M (2023) and Qalb (2024). Why Not's SHARE stream partners with 1s1 Theatre to help produce, present, and tour work. Collaboration on Prince Hamlet project evolved into the Hand in Hand video series.
• Nightwood TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for To A Flame, a groundbreaking theatrical work intertwining ASL and English with vibrant movement and live music for Deaf and hearing audiences.
• Modern Times Stage CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for To A Flame theatrical production.
• Gallaudet UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with 1s1 Theatre on the development of the Puff and the Magic Binoculars interactive bilingual storytelling app, providing academic and Deaf community expertise.
• Motion Light LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with 1s1 Theatre on development of the Puff interactive bilingual storytelling app, contributing technical expertise in visual storytelling and animation.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Signing Time (Two Little Hands Productions): Children's ASL-learning media company producing videos, apps, and merchandise. Comparable to 1s1's I Am Puff product line in the children's sign-language education media category.

Direct peers

• Why Not Theatre: Toronto-based intercultural theatre company and long-term co-production partner of 1s1. Comparable as a small-to-mid Canadian theatre company with shared co-presentation history and overlapping audience bases.
• Nightwood Theatre: Toronto-based feminist theatre company and co-production partner on To A Flame. Comparable as a small Canadian theatre company with similar scale and grant-funded operating model.
• Deaf West Theatre: A Deaf-led American theatre company producing bilingual ASL-English productions. Closely comparable in mission, artistic model, and audience positioning to 1s1 Theatre, though larger and more established.
• National Theatre of the Deaf (NTD): Historic US Deaf-led theatre company producing bilingual ASL-English theatrical works since 1967. Directly comparable in Deaf-led mission, bilingual performance format, and educational outreach.
• Modern Times Stage Company: Toronto theatre company that co-produced To A Flame with 1s1. Comparable as a small Canadian theatre company operating in the same venue ecosystem and funding environment.

Broad incumbents

• Tarragon Theatre: Established Toronto theatre that hosted 1s1's Qalb production. Comparable as a Toronto theatre venue/ecosystem participant but operates at significantly larger scale with mainstream programming.
• Soulpepper Theatre Company: One of Canada's largest theatre companies, based in Toronto. Comparable as a Toronto theatre operator and likely venue/ecosystem partner, though at materially larger scale and with mainstream programming.

Others

• Motion Light Lab: Research and development partner that co-developed the Puff app with 1s1. Adjacent technical collaborator specializing in visual storytelling and accessible interactive media for Deaf learners.

Regional players

• Gallaudet University (Department of Theatre Arts): Academic institution supporting Deaf-led theatre development; collaborated with 1s1 on the Puff app. Comparable as a producer of Deaf-accessible theatrical and educational content, though primarily US-focused.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@1s1Theatre
• Facebookfacebook.com/people/1S1-Theatre/61561093444398/?_rdr
• Instagraminstagram.com/1s1theatre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 1s1 Deaf-Led Theatre Inc.