Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel Ortiz.
Hi Joel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey as a Deaf performer began unexpectedly at an ASL Slam event, where I discovered my passion for storytelling and Visual Vernacular. This inspired me to launch JOZ Studio LLC, offering performances, coaching, and workshops for the Deaf and interpreting communities. One of my biggest contracts after launching JOZ Studio was with NTID/RIT (National Technical Institute for the Deaf), where I served as an ASL Coach for the Deaf theater production of In The Heights and also led a Visual Vernacular workshop. During the pandemic, I co-created Visual Vernacular Underground with my partners Justin Perez and Lisa McBee, a successful online show that led to hosting an international VV festival in Washington, D.C. Our work received high praise from Gallaudet University President Roberta Cordano, who recognized the professionalism and impact of our artistry. I’ve collaborated with various organizations such as ASL Slam, ASL Service (known as Propio Language Services), and the Florida Deaf Art Show, and was honored to sign the national anthem at both Orlando Magic and Orlando City Soccer games. I also partnered with World Renew Outreach, a nonprofit supporting missionaries in underserved regions, to translate Bible stories into Visual Vernacular and bring spiritual access to Deaf communities worldwide. This journey has been transformative and continues to grow
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In the beginning, it was a struggle. I had to learn how to use social media to promote my business and find ways to connect with organizations. Over time, I realized that social media could become my own platform and the more I posted, the more I was able to share my passion for storytelling and Visual Vernacular with a wider audience.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in Visual Vernacular (VV) a powerful and unique form of visual storytelling that transcends language barriers. What makes VV so special is its ability to communicate stories through visual expression, body movement, facial expressions, and cinematic techniques, making it universally accessible. Whether you’re in India, Africa, South America, or anywhere else in the world, Deaf or hearing,you can understand and enjoy it. That’s the beauty of this art form. VV allows for limitless creativity. You can perform poetry, tell emotional or humorous stories, interpret sports events, or create deeply sentimental narratives. I first learned about Visual Vernacular in 2018 from fellow performer Justin Perez, who introduced me to the work of Bernard Bragg, the father of VV. Bernard pioneered this expressive storytelling method by blending sign language, mime, and physical theater. I was fascinated and inspired, and from that moment, I committed myself to studying and mastering the art of VV.
What sets me apart is not only my passion for this craft but my dedication to using it as a bridge to connect cultures, communities, and generations, making stories visible and accessible to all.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’d like to encourage the hearing community to take time to learn about the Deaf community. We are people with talent, skills, creativity, and vision. It’s important to recognize and uplift the Deaf community for what we bring to the world. I especially want Deaf children to know they can dream big and achieve anything. I hope to be a role model, someone who shows that Deaf people can and do succeed.
I often say it like this: “A ship can’t see through a storm at night, but when the lighthouse flashes, it shows the way.”My hands are that light, a representation of what Deaf people can do. It’s time for the hearing world to see the light that shines from within the Deaf community.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Jozstudio1
