☆ Rory Studio CIC ☆

Missing posters covered the trees,
the streets,
and the village notice board. Beyond the dark woods stood
a strange house
hidden behind a giant red gate. Illustration by Paul Miller
Hand-drawn & digitally painted in Photoshop using Wacom Cintiq #paulmillerillustration #RoryStudio #VictorTheMisfit #DeafArtist #deafarts

On their way to the park,
Anders and Aurora stopped
before a giant red door. The smell of gingerbread
filled the air,
making their stomachs growl. Slowly… the door opened by itself,
as though welcoming them inside. Dark thorny vines twisted around the path
as music drifted through the air. Aurora followed the sound, hypnotised.
But Anders, Deaf and wary,
tried to pull her back. Illustration by Paul Miller
Hand-drawn & digitally painted in Photoshop using Wacom Cintiq #paulmillerillustration #RoryStudio #VictorTheMisfit #DeafArtist #DeafArt

BOOM BOOM!! Feel the bass. Feel the vibe. Feel the music! 🔥 We’re excited to welcome Deaf Rave to the Signs Alive Festival team! Get ready for an electrifying family DJ workshop on Saturday 27th June, where children, young people, and families can step into the world of DJing, music, rhythm, and sound. 🎧 Ever wondered what it feels like to be a DJ? 
🎵 Want to feel the beat through your body? 
💥 Ready to experience the bass with Woojer vests and dancefloor vibes? This is your chance to meet professional Deaf DJs, try DJ equipment, ask questions, mix sounds, and discover how music can be experienced in exciting new ways. Whether you love dancing, music, technology, or just want to try something different — this workshop is for YOU! About @deafrave Founded in 2002, DEAF RAVE is a leading d/Deaf led organisation in creating accessible events for the d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent communities, ranging from family festivals to nighttime raves across the UK and worldwide. Founder Troi “DJ Chinaman” Lee MBE began with a vision to give Deaf, Hearing and Disabled Artists and performers a platform to display their love for music. Come and experience the energy, the vibrations, and the BOOM BOOM bass at Signs Alive Festival! 🎧🔥 Book your tickets now via the link in our bio 📆 Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 June
📍 Sheepfolds Stables, Sunderland Signs Alive Festival is curated by Deaf artist Paul Miller and is a Deaf-led festival celebrating Deaf creativity and visual language. The festival is created in partnership with Rory Studio @rory_studio and Surface Area Dance Theatre @surface_area_ supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. @aceagrams With special thanks to partners Southpaw Company @southpawcompany and Sheepfolds Stables @sheepfoldsstables for their support. #SignsAliveFestival #Sunderland #NorthEast #DeafArtists #FamilyFestival BSL

We’re excited to officially announce the launch of our British Sign Language (BSL) & Deaf Awareness Training and Consultancy, delivered by Surface Area Dance Theatre in partnership with Rory Studio. Led by Deaf artist and practitioner Paul Miller, our training offers a practical and welcoming introduction to BSL, Deaf awareness, and inclusive communication within arts, cultural, education, and workplace settings. Whether you’re front-of-house staff, artists, educators, producers, technicians, freelancers, or organisational leaders, these sessions are designed to build confidence, understanding, and meaningful accessibility. Topics include: ✨ BSL basics & fingerspelling ✨ Deaf awareness and inclusive communication ✨ Everyday vocabulary and practical language skills ✨ Arts and cultural sector terminology ✨ Guidance tailored to your organisation and team At Surface Area Dance Theatre, accessibility is not an afterthought — it is embedded into everything we do. Through this new partnership, we are proud to support organisations and communities in creating more inclusive and welcoming environments for Deaf people. To find out more or book training for your organisation, click the link in our bio or visit: .uk/training-and-education Organisations we have worked with Live Theatre @livetheatrenewcastle | Eliot Smith Dance @eliotsmithdance | Alphabetti Theatre @alphabetti_theatre | Moving Art Management @moving_art_management | The Lit and Phil Library @litandphil | North East Museums @northeastmuseums | Northern Stage @northern_stage | North East Inclusive Dance Network @northeastinclusivedancenetwork | The Bare Toed Dance Company @baretoeddance | Dance City @dance_city_newcastle | Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art @balticgateshead | Curious Arts @curious_arts | Meta 4 Dance @meta4dance | Art Connect (Newcastle City Council) | Tyne Theatre and Opera House @tyneoperahouse | Novo Theatre @novo.theatre #BSL #BritishSignLanguage #DeafAwareness #Accessibility #SurfaceAreaDanceTheatre

My new style, redraw and paint The Gingerbread Witch hand drawing and digital art painting in photoshop and Wacom cintiq. She smelled the children
deep within the woods. Then she found it —
a torn ribbon stained with blood. “They escaped…”
the witch hissed in rage. Her cauldron boiled green
as she cast a sleeping spell
across the town. Written & Illustration by Paul Miller
Photoshop & Wacom Cintiq #paulmillerillustration #RoryStudio #VictorTheMisfit #DeafArtist #deafart

We’re delighted to welcome Lisette Auton to the Signs Alive Festival! Lisette will be leading a fun creative writing workshop and mapmaking for all the family. You don’t want to miss this amazing opportunity in the North East. 🎟️ Book your tickets now via the link in our bio ABOUT LISETTE AUTON Lisette Auton is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, predominantly making work as an author, spoken word performer and playwright. She is passionate about telling the stories she struggled to find – those that reflect her northern, disabled and neurodivergent experiences. By also working as a mentor, activist and creative practitioner, she enables others to be the authors of their own stories. Creative access, joy, kindness and welcome are at the heart everything she does. Her fourth and latest book, ‘The Starlight Rebel’ is published by Puffin. @lisette_auton 📆 Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 June📍 Southpaw Company, Sheepfolds Stables, Sunderland Signs Alive Festival is curated by Deaf artist Paul Miller and is a Deaf-led festival celebrating Deaf creativity and visual language. The festival is created in partnership with Rory Studio @rory_studio and Surface Area Dance Theatre @surface_area_ supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. @aceagrams With special thanks to partners Southpaw Company @southpawcompany and Sheepfolds Stables @sheepfoldsstables for their support. #SignsAliveFestival #Sunderland #NorthEast #DeafArtists #FamilyFestival

The night is wide. The world is silent. But maybe… someone is out there. Illustration by Paul Miller | Photoshop @rory_studio #paulmillerillustration #RoryStudio #VictorTheMisfit #DeafArtist #DeafArt

We’re delighted to welcome Charlotte Arrowsmith to the Signs Alive Festival team! Charlotte will be leading a fun family drama workshop on Saturday 27th June — a fantastic opportunity for children and families to get creative together. Charlotte will also be taking part in a Q&A session on Sunday 28th June, where she’ll talk about her experiences as an actress working in theatre, short film, and television. If you’re interested in acting or performing, this is a great opportunity to learn from her journey and ask your own questions. 🎟️ Book your tickets now via the link in our bio ABOUT CHARLOTTE ARROWSMITH Charlotte Arrowsmith is a pioneering British Deaf actress, theatre director, and BSL consultant known for breaking barriers in mainstream theatre. She was the first Deaf actor to perform in a main stage production at the Royal Shakespeare Company and the first Deaf actor to understudy a hearing role. Charlotte continues to advocate for Deaf-led theatre and better representation across the arts. @oz260413 📆 Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 June
📍 Sheepfolds Stables, Sunderland Signs Alive Festival is curated by Deaf artist Paul Miller and is a Deaf-led festival celebrating Deaf creativity and visual language. The festival is created in partnership with Rory Studio @rory_studio and Surface Area Dance Theatre @surface_area_ supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. @aceagrams With special thanks to partners Southpaw Company @southpawcompany and Sheepfolds Stables @sheepfoldsstables for their support. #SignsAliveFestival #Sunderland #NorthEast #DeafArtists #FamilyFestival BSL

We’re continuing our commitment to raising awareness during Deaf Awareness Week 🤟 Collaboration and partnership are at the heart of creating meaningful, accessible work — and this week is a powerful reminder of why Deaf artists and Deaf-led projects must be supported, championed, and centred in our industry 🎭 We’re proud to be working alongside Surface Area Dance Theatre on Signs Alive Festival @signsalivefestival in Sunderland @southpawcompany (27–28 June), directed by Paul Miller of Rory Studio @rory_studio . This exciting festival celebrates how working together builds access, strengthens community, and elevates creative work for everyone 🌍✨ Let’s keep the conversation going beyond this week — and continue building a more inclusive arts sector 💬 Find out more about Signs Alive Festival via the link in our bio 🔗 Supported by Arts Council England @aceagrams #DeafAwarenessWeek #AccessibilityInTheArts #DeafArtists #SurfaceAreaDanceTheatre #Collaboration

✨ More exciting news for Signs Alive Festival 2026 ✨ We’re thrilled to welcome Christopher Fonseca and Harry Jardine from @fusetheatre to join our incredible festival line-up! Fuse Theatre will be leading an inspiring one-week workshop with students from Sunderland College and Bede College, creating a brand-new performance, “Feel the Beat, See the Sound.” This powerful piece will premiere live at the festival 🎭 And that’s not all…
Fuse Theatre will also be bringing their 10 minute version of their dynamic performance “Follow the Signs” to the stage! Fuse Theatre is a Deaf-led company creating bold, BSL-led theatre and championing Deaf talent through performance, workshops, and consultancy. Fuse Theatre bridge the gap between Deaf and hearing communities through creativity, access, and representation. 🔥 Don’t miss this! Join us for a weekend full of creativity, performance, and inspiration. Photography Phoebe Capewell In the meantime, book your tickets now via the link in our bio or via this link: 📅 Sat 27 & Sun 28 June 📍 Southpaw Company, Sheepfold Stables, Sunderland Signs Alive Festival is curated by Deaf artist Paul Miller and is a Deaf-led festival celebrating Deaf creativity and visual language. The festival is created in partnership with Rory Studio CIC @rory_studio and @surface_area_ supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England @aceagrams With special thanks to partners @southpawcompany and @sheepfoldsstables Sheepfold Stables for their support. #SignsAliveFestival #Sunderland #NorthEast #DeafArtists #FamilyFestival

Stitched with care, not just thread. Hands restored, language returned. This is where friendship begins @signsalivefestival @rory_studio #PaulMillerArt #VictorTheMisfit #DeafArtist #DeafArt #signsalivefestival

Stitched together. Half-awake. Silent world. Boris the Misfit speaks in his own way. From page to animation — now heading to @signsalivefestival #PaulMillerArt #VictorTheMisfit #DeafArtist #DeafArt #Illustration