Celebrating International Day of Sign Languages: An Interview with BSL Interpreter Olivia Whitter 🤟

An Interview with Olivia Whitter

1. You’ve become such a familiar face at ADT events – what do you enjoy most about being part of the ADT family?

Olivia Whitter: A lot of work and energy goes into all the work that the ADT family do to make sure that all the events, meetings and prep work is ready and as stress free as possible. I always feel everyone is valued and is made to feel part of the family. Every space is open and safe, and everyone is made to feel welcome.

2. For someone who might never have worked with a BSL interpreter before, what does your job actually look like at a busy outdoor festival?

OW:  We imagine it’s a little more adventurous than standing quietly at the side of a stage! 😄

I’ve done everything from push ups to salsa dancing!

A busy outdoor festival can be chaotic in the best possible way! When your part of an outdoor festival, it’s unpredictable in terms of the weather, the crowd, the tech! so being flexible and not being too shy helps. Getting the crowd involved often starts with the company dancing including me!

Getting up on stage to interpret is one part of the job but demonstrating is also a BIG part of working with ADT. I’ve been part of a dance mob in the streets of Stratford- upon-Avon and part of a full workout when working with the schools ADT are involved with.

3. You’ve interpreted everything from artists and presenters to workshops, performances and slightly chaotic festival moments! What’s been your favourite or most memorable ADT moment so far?

OW:  There are so many! Honestly, I always know I’m going to have fun.

A few moments stand out one being the Street Games in Manchester a few years ago, I was voicing over for Kevaughn so I had a Mic on. We had so much fun, the crowd were loving it and when we came to the dance at the end, we all went crazy dancing our hearts out. Kevaughn was signing all these instructions and directions, and I was voicing over while dancing! By the end we were all breathing very heavily and laughing very loudly, including the crowd, it was a brilliant day!

A more recently memory is interpreting for an Oprea singer at Light Up Fest in Cannon Hill Park, it was such a beautiful moment and everyone there had a great time. The lanterns were wonderful and the walk around the park was also fun, such excitement for all the families involved. I’ve done this event a couple of times, and each one is just magical!

4. What’s one thing you wish more arts organisations understood about making events genuinely welcoming and accessible for Deaf and BSL-using audiences?

OW: I wish that more arts organisations understood that booking an interpreter for events doesn’t automatically make the deaf community feel welcome. How the team interacts with the deaf community before the events i.e promoting BSL, responding to emails, smiling faces on the day, learning to fingerspell your name shows true thought and intention.

Also, when booking a BSL Interpreter prep is so important, we can’t interpret want we don’t know. we need the speeches in advance, any scripts that are involved in the performances in advance.

For outdoor events: where the toilets are, where the first aid tent is, where the quiet spaces can be found. Who to tell if there are any safeguarding issues etc. In short, we need to be part of the team and have an overview of the day…. This is something ADT do very well!

5. Quick-fire to finish: if you had to describe working with the Autin Dance Theatre team in three signs or three words, what would they be?

OW: Please can I have four: Adventurous, fun, welcoming and safe.