Festival Director

Juan Jaramillo is a Deaf multidisciplinary artist, theatre-maker, playwright, director, performer, and curator from Colombia, now based in Canada. As the founder of Dancing Hands, his artistic practice spans theatre, ASL storytelling, Visual Vernacular, film, and community-engaged performance. For more than 30 years, he has created original works that celebrate Deaf culture, identity, and visual language while building meaningful connections between Deaf and hearing communities. Passionate about mentorship and artistic development, Juan is committed to creating opportunities for emerging Deaf artists. Through RootsPulse Fest, he envisions a vibrant space where Indigenous, Black, Brown, and Asian (IBBA) Deaf artists can create, collaborate, and thrive together. 

Co-Festival Director -

Natasha “Courage” Bacchus is a Deaf multidisciplinary artist, theatre-maker, visual performer, and accessibility advocate. A former three-time Deaflympic gold medalist sprinter, her artistic practice explores signed music, body movement, and solo performance across theatre, cabaret, film, and television. Since 2019, she has collaborated with artists and companies throughout Canada, the United States, Colombia, and France. Courage is committed to breaking barriers for Indigenous and Black Deaf artists by creating powerful, visually rich performances that celebrate identity, resilience, and community. Her internationally acclaimed solo production, Rebirth of Courage, premiered in 2022 and continues to inspire audiences through its deeply personal journey of transformation. 

Assistant Festival Director-

Robert Haughton is a Black Deaf artist, actor, mental health therapist, and emerging arts leader passionate about creating spaces where Deaf artists feel seen, supported, and connected. A proud father of three Deaf children and one CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Robert brings both personal and professional experience to his work in the Deaf community. His theatre credits include The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Fernando and His Llama, But The Truth Is, Julius Caesar, and Fences. As he continues to grow as an artist, Robert is exploring comedy, stage management, and festival production. Through RootsPulse Fest, he hopes to connect with artists, mentors, and collaborators to build a stronger Deaf arts community where creativity, belonging, and the next generation of Deaf leaders can flourish.