Finding meaning beyond language: ‘Small Mouth Sounds’ explores connection and isolation

“Small Mouth Sounds” by Bess Wohl invites audiences into a world where words are scarce but meaning is abundant.

Presented by the School of Performing Arts and directed by Julia Devine, assistant professor of practice in directing and acting, the production will run April 21-25 and offers a unique theatrical experience centered on six strangers attending a silent retreat.

Set in a secluded woodland retreat, the play follows individuals on wildly separate paths who are seeking clarity, healing, or escape. Bound by a vow of silence, the characters communicate through gesture, expression, and presence, revealing the complexities of human connection without spoken language. This immersive theatrical experience also includes soundscapes, Foley performance, and audience interaction. 

Without relying on traditional dialogue, “Small Mouth Sounds” challenges both performers and audiences to engage more deeply with nonverbal communication. Moments of humor, tension, and vulnerability emerge in unexpected ways, creating an experience that feels both intimate and universal.

For Devine, the challenge of staging a largely silent play became an opportunity to explore storytelling in its purest form. Devine drew inspiration from a quote by Ram Dass, a spiritual teacher and psychologist: “The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” Using this mindset, she worked with the actors to find meaning beyond language, asking questions about how  the characters interact with their environment and the objects around them, how they present themselves physically, and how they can communicate relationships to other characters without language.  

Through this exploration, the actors have found many ways to tell a story within silence. “We’re so used to communicating with words, but, sometimes, the words can get in the way. Sometimes there are words that can’t express what we’re feeling, and that traps us. So when you stop speaking and you’re just with yourself, it could be scary at first, but then, hopefully, it can lead to some kind of understanding,” Devine said. 

Sound and visuals shape the experience 

A unique aspect of the play is the incorporation of Foley performance.

The term "Foley" originates from Jack Foley, who was a pioneer of sound effects and soundscapes in film in the 1920s, and refers to the use of live sound creation such as drums, rain sticks, and singing bowls during a performance. “It helps us tune in in a stronger way. It’s been a really enjoyable part of the production that was unexpected, because this was sort of a later idea, and now I can’t imagine doing this piece without it. It completes it,” said Devine. 

The production’s visual world also plays a crucial role in shaping the audience’s experience, particularly in a play where dialogue is minimal. Costume designer and Master of Fine Arts costume design student Jeremy Pritchard approached the show with an emphasis on subtle storytelling through clothing. “As a designer, I’ve always viewed costumes as an extension of the character. It is the armor this character wears in their day-to-day lives, and I really wanted to help the actors connect to their characters and to help tell the stories of each individual character through costumes. So a lot of the costumes undergo transformations alongside the characters as a way to help aid the storytelling,” Pritchard said. 

“Small Mouth Sounds” is an experience that inspires reflection and encourages stillness. Devine hopes that audiences will lean into the experience and embrace the silence that comes with it. “We may not be able to change the world, but maybe we can bring more positive energy. The more people that can find peace, the more collective energy can grow,” said Devine.  

Performances are April 21-24 at 7:30 p.m. and April 25 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., all in Squires Studio Theatre.

Tickets are $15 for the general public and $12 for seniors and students and may be purchased through the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech ticket office in person, online, or by calling 540-231-5300. All seating is general admission. Tickets will be available at the door in the Squires Student Center beginning one hour prior to the performance. For online purchases, please visit the School of Performing Arts website.

All university community members and visitors will need to display a parking permit, use the ParkMobile app, pay a fee, or pay using an hourly meter to park on the Blacksburg campus unless otherwise noted by signage. Find additional parking information on the Parking Services website.

If you are an individual with a disability or desire an accommodation, please contact Emily Baker at least 10 days prior to the event. 

Written by Kendall Seibel, a graduate student in arts leadership