Talk is Free Theatre (TIFT) Artistic Producer announced today that after extensive development and testing, the company’s proprietary Augmented Reality for Immersive Accessibility (ARIA) translation glasses will be offered for use, free of charge, for all of the company’s local productions.

Beginning with the world premiere of Something Old by Keara Voo next month, audiences will have the opportunity to watch theatre in the language of their choice (up to 48 currently available), with translations appearing on transparent, colourless lenses of this wearable technology which was developed software engineer Igor Chernukhin with consultation and management by TIFT artists.

While translations tools for theatre are not new, TIFT’s ARIA glasses are unique in their ability to allow simultaneous translation into many different languages at the same time, while also allowing them to maintain their focus on the action in front of them. This proves especially beneficial for immersive theatre and theatre in non-traditional spaces, which makes up the bulk of what TIFT produces.

TIFT designed and developed ARIA translation glasses with the intention of breaking down barriers of access to theatre and aid with the integration of new Canadians.

“We have a growing population of people in Barrie whose first language is not English,” says Spivak. “It is wonderful that we can use ARIA to work to welcome people into our artistic community by providing audiences and artists new to Canada a tool to interact and communicate more easily, perhaps even improving language learning and retention.”

“I'm thrilled that audiences will finally get the chance to experience this new technology in TIFT's productions,” adds ARIA project manager Gabi Epstein, “which will continue to foster accessibility and a stronger sense of community. We are so grateful to everyone who has been a part of the testing process to allow us to get to this point."

Epstein also notes that ARIA can also be used as an accessibility tool for those who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment by simply displaying untranslated text onto the lenses.

Something Old, about a young woman navigating familial challenges while planning her traditional Chinese wedding, runs June 18-27, 2026, at Morrison CPA, 1895 Commerce Park Drive, Innisfil. For more information on Something Old, go to www.tift.ca.

Patrons wishing to make use of ARIA are asked to let TIFT know up to twenty-four hours before they attend the performance by calling 705-792-1949 or emailing admin@tift.ca.

Funding for the creation and development of ARIA was generously provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

ARIA is one of several Service Projects initiated by the company with the goal of stimulating broader transformation of the professional theatre milieu, It was originally managed by Joe Pagnan and developed by Igor Chernukhin, and is currently managed by Artist BIG member Gabi Epstein and with further technical development by Wade Bogert-O'Brien.

Talk Is Free Theatre has enjoyed over twenty years of developing and producing theatre. Our mission is to produce a range of cutting edge theatre works and to connect them with as wide an array of people as possible–especially with new, non-urban audiences. TIFT is Central Ontario’s only professional theatre company with a full, traditional autumn-through-spring season. Their diversity of repertoire has included over 170 immersive experiences, off-centre musicals, reinterpretations of classics and new works large and small.