Framed by an inexplicable series of tuba thefts from Los Angeles schools in the early 2010s, d/Deaf artist and filmmaker Alison O’Daniel’s debut feature film uses the instrument’s absence from these bands to explore what it means to listen. The Tuba Thieves weaves together reenactments of historical musical performances misconstrued as silent: the premiere of John Cage’s 4’33’, the final punk show at San Francisco’s Deaf Club, and Prince’s surprise Purple Rain tour show at the Deaf university Gallaudet in Washington, DC. Featuring Nyke Prince, a Deaf woman who is given a drum kit; Geovanny Maroquin, a high school saxophone player impacted by the tuba thefts; and Sam Quinones, an L.A. Times reporter on the case, the stories of a discrete cast of characters are layered with a parallel narrative using open captions. Through these entanglements, O’Daniel creates a cinematic language that centres deafness in a world of audism, reattuning the act of listening as one untethered from the ear. 

At entry, guests will be offered inflated balloons to feel the vibrations of the soundtrack and access the film with heightened sonic and tactile sensitivities. O’Daniel refers to this practice as “Heavy Air,” which pays homage to the Deaf clubs that invited d/Deaf community members to experience films together in this way.

Written and directed by Alison O'Daniel, based on musical scores by Christine Sun Kim, Steve Roden, and Ethan Frederick Greene
Starring Nyeisha "Nyke" Prince, Russell Harvard, Geovanny Marroquin and Warren "Wawa" Snipe
Produced by Alison O’Daniel, Su Kim, Maya E. Rudolph, Rachel Nederveld
Executive Produced by Wendy Ettinger, Maida Lynn
Consulting Producer Alysa Nahmias
Cinematography by Derek Howard, Meena Singh and Judy Phu
Edited by Zack Khalil and Alison O’Daniel