Brandon Kazen-Maddox

Brandon Kazen-Maddox

Artist, Educator, and Champion of Inclusion Through ASL and Deaf Cultural Heritage

  About  

  Speeches  

Brandon Kazen-Maddox (they/them) is an American Sign Language Artist and Grandchild of Deaf Adults (GODA), growing up from birth in a culturally Deaf household. As a third-generation heritage signer, it is Brandon’s passion and responsibility to carry on their generational birthright and lineage of ASL Artistry.

As an ASL Artist, choreographer, filmmaker, dancer, actor, acrobat, and activist, Brandon has spent the last 10 years as a professional ASL interpreter in the mediums of activism, performance, politics, film, television and theater, providing access to, and facilitating communication between the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and hearing communities. Brandon creates work with and for the Deaf and Disability communities, and highlights and empowers BIPOC and LGBTQAI+ artists, building bridges among people of all backgrounds and abilities. Recent keynote appearances have included NASPA Conference, Fidelity Investments Conference, MAS Event+Design, California Faculty of the Arts and A Day of Unreasonable Conversation at the Getty Museum for the social impact organization Propper Daley.

Brandon was a featured storyteller on the 100th episode of Stories From the Stage on PBS and they were named as one of Gucci's Chime for Change 22 for '22. Brandon is a recipient of the Creative Capital Award, New England Foundation for the Arts National Dance Production Grant, the Mertz-Gilmore Foundation Grant and the New York State Council on the Arts grant. Brandon is also a member of the Circle of Advocates for RISE Theater Directory, curated and supported by the Miranda Family Foundation. Brandon's television credits include guest appearances on High Maintenance and The Good Fight. Their work has been profiled by The New York Times, ABC World News, ABC/Disney, CNN and The PBS NewsHour’s “Brief But Spectacular” series.

Brandon holds an MFA in Dance and New Technology from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and is a co-founder of Up Until Now Collective, an arts and media company that focuses on developing and producing radically inclusive interdisciplinary work.

Brandon is an 2025 Artist in Residences for PBS ALL ARTS their half-hour special profiling their work, SOUL(SIGNS): Making Music Visible, premiers nationally in April 2025.

SOUL(SIGNS): A Celebration of American Sign Language, Heritage and Belonging SOUL(SIGNS) is the story of finding one’s own authentic voice through an interactive, multimedia presentation celebrating the art of American Sign Language. It incorporates Brandon’s dynamic gift for communicating through multiple languages - a blend of American Sign Language, spoken word and movement. SOUL(SIGNS) embodies the community experience of belonging while uplifting the voices of the many diverse communities to which Brandon belongs.

Empathy in Action: Becoming a Better Ally in the Disability Community Through the Power of ASL and Interactive Conversation Brandon's work exists at the intersection of artistic expression, accessibility and technology. Join Brandon as they lead this interactive workshop that prepares and inspires audiences across disciplines to accommodate accessibility needs in the workplace. Brandon’s unique perspective teaches audiences how to become better allies, communicators and leaders while fostering an environment of belonging.

The Future of Communication: Building Community through American Sign Language, Art and New Technology In this interactive, multi-media presentation, Brandon redefines communication through the use of American Sign Language, the arts and technology. Brandon shares the lessons they have learned throughout their 10-year career as an ASL interpreter, as well as showcasing their artistic collaborations with the Deaf and Disability communities. Brandon explores how new, innovative technology can help make space for marginalized communities, including the burgeoning world of wearable haptics technology. Brandon’s presentation examines the intersection of the Arts, Technology and Wellness.

  Topic Areas

Art/Performance
Disability Justice
DEIB
High School Programs
Intersectionality
LGBTQ+

  Related Links

Play

A Brief But Spectacular take on blending the worlds of art, ASL and accessibility

Play

One Way or Another with Brandon

Quote
Brandon did an amazing job! Their energy and enthusiasm around ASL sparked excitement and curiosity with our associates, laying the groundwork for our path forward. We received nothing but positive feedback!
Bimbo Bakeries

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