Ghost River Theatre and internationally acclaimed Deaf artist Landon Krentz are bringing a visually immersive theatrical experience to Calgary that explores extinction through a new shared language for Deaf and hearing audiences.

A World Without Them takes audiences through riveting vignettes centered on at-risk or extinct Canadian species, from the Albertosaurus to the endangered Banff Springs Snail. Krentz fuses Visual Vernacular—a highly expressive Deaf performance technique rarely seen at this scale—with visual storytelling to embody grief, wonder, and resilience.

"A World Without Them is designed to transcend cultural and language barriers," says Krentz. "Visual Vernacular integrates precise gesture, rhythm, facial expression, and cinematic movement to tell stories in pure visual form."

The production began development in 2024 when Krentz was artist-in-residence at Ghost River Theatre. Co-creator and director Eric Rose describes the piece as a visual elegy for creatures already lost to extinction and a call to protect those still fighting to survive, reminding audiences that extinction erases not only species but voices, cultures, and ways of understanding the world.

The world premiere runs February 6-15 at West Village Theatre and is recommended for Deaf and hearing audiences ages 12 and up. Following its Calgary debut, the production will tour nationally and internationally.