American Sign Language is poetry in motion — a full-bodied form of expression filled with nuance and grace. In many ways, it’s the perfect language for the stage, a place where actors use the entirety of the human form to communicate.
Silence is tangible — an energy that ripples through the atmosphere. It can be felt at the Getty Villa during a recent rehearsal for Deaf West Theatre’s upcoming production of “Oedipus,” as bodies move across the stage with practiced fluidity. The occasional squeak of sneakers pierces the air, but otherwise the quiet is absolute, settling over the theater like a soft blanket.
Hayes gently holds Wailes’ hands as Wailes signs, while a Protactile interpreter deftly taps fingers on Hayes’ shoulders and back. These taps convey supplemental information beyond what is being said, explains Deaf West Artistic Director DJ Kurs. For example, gentle taps signify that other people are nodding. Stronger taps indicate that a question is being asked of Hayes, or attention is being drawn toward her. A finger scrolled on the back means that someone entered the room in that direction.
Kurs sits on a shaded patio at the Getty Villa during a break from rehearsal. He is tall and slender, with curly hair, a kind smile and serious eyes. He was raised by deaf parents in Riverside and attended Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., before moving to L.A. and becoming involved with Deaf West, eventually taking over leadership in 2012., and he considers himself as much an activist as he is an artist.
Still, deaf actors have struggled to gain a foothold in the mainstream world of American theater. That struggle has been aided in no small part by the L.A.-based nonprofit. Founded in 1991 by deaf actor Ed Waterstreet, Deaf West became the first regional theater company in the country led by a deaf artistic director.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Cities of the future,' built from scratchBillionaire Marc Lore is fleshing out his plan to build a utopian city called Telosa for 5 million people in the American desert — and he's not the only one with such ambitions.
Read more »
Attention must be paid to NYC's must-see fall theater and dance eventsThese 12 must-see performances offer ample evidence of the ways New York theaters and dance companies are innovating canonic works during the season ahead.
Read more »
'The Last of Us Part I' accessibility options include DualSense haptic feedback for dialogue | Engadget'The Last of Us Part I' accessibility options include DualSense haptic feedback for dialogue
Read more »
Opinion | I'm 61 and have $70k in student loans. Why I refuse to pay it back.I am part of the Fifty Over Fifty debt strike, in which older Americans who still have college loans refuse to comply with a predatory system.
Read more »
Novartis to spin off, list Sandoz businessThe Swiss pharmaceutical company said Sandoz would be based in Switzerland and listed locally alongside a an American depositary receipt program in the U.S.
Read more »