Deaf Theatre in USA
Entertaining and Educating Deaf and Hearing
Deaf Theatre has been around for generations. It has a dual purpose: deaf culture entertainment for deaf audiences, and education about deafness and sign language for hearing people. When deaf theatre began, it was deaf people performing for deaf audiences; today it is deaf and hearing together.
The History of Deaf Theatre in USA
The National Theatre of the Deaf led the way for modern deaf theatre. It began in 1967, but deaf theatre's history goes back much further. It has its roots in drama presented at deaf schools and colleges such as Gallaudet as far back as the 1860s.
The National Technical Institute for the Deaf produced its own well-known deaf theatre group called Sunshine Too. From the early 1980s through the late 1990s, Sunshine Too travelled around the USA, educating hearing audiences and amusing deaf children.
A few early plays are preserved on video at Gallaudet University. One is The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark presented by The Gallaudet College Dramatic Club in 1951. There are selections from My Third Eye, a National Theatre of the Deaf 1973 presentation, and a low-quality recording of Sign Me Alice, a play from 1973.
In the 1990s there was a black deaf theatre group, Onyx Theatre Company of New York, founded by Michelle Banks. It appears that this company no longer exists.
Deaf Theatre has appeared on Broadway. The National Theatre of the Deaf made a Broadway appearance in 1968. Another deaf theatre group that was on Broadway is Deaf West Theatre, whose production of Big River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on Broadway made headlines in 2003. The play, with roles played by deaf and hearing actors together, was critically aclaimed, award-winning, and toured the nation.
Deaf Playwrights
One of the best known deaf playwrights is Willy Conley. Some of his works have been published in a deaf literary anthology, The Tactile Mind magazine. Another is Raymond Luczak. His plays are listed on his website. Yet another is Bernard Bragg.
A bibliography of deaf theatre can be found on Willy Conley website at Gallaudet University.
Adapted from deafness.about.com
Questions
1. You have been asked to write a summary of the history of Deaf Theatre in Norway for the website deafness.about.com. Write the text.
2. Explain how the purpose of Deaf Theatre in USA has changed over the years. Do you think the same thing has happened in Norway? Give reasons for your answer.
3. Deaf Theatre has appeared on Broadway. Where is Broadway? Explain why you think it is so important for a deaf theatre company to perform there.
4. What does onyx mean? Why do you think it was chosen as the name for a theatre group of black, deaf actors?
5. Write an informative text about Huckleberry Finn and the book’s literary importance in USA.
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6. Make a time line showing the history of deaf theatre in USA.
7. Make a glossary list of words and expressions used when writing and talking about the theatre. You can get some ideas from the text below.
8. Write a review for your school newspaper of a film or a play you have seen performed by a deaf theatre company.
Here are some tips for writing a review of a play:
A general impression of the success or failure of elements of the production, for example acting, directing, lighting, scenery, costumes etc. But be open-minded!
2. The body of the review / Give a brief thematic summary (but not a plot summary) of the play. Support your summary with examples from the performance.
Describe and discuss the elements of the performance in the order that you outlined in the introduction.
Interpret, analyse and evaluate. Focus on the important elements that you will use in your conclusion.
3. Conclusion / Show why your opinion of the play is valid based on what you have said earlier.
Do not add any new points.
Don’t be afraid to leave your reader with something to think about!
Adapted from wisc.edu