Reflections Through a DeafLens

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Hello! For Jane's Picks, I've selected Bernard Bragg, known by most of us as "BB." There are many reasons for my choice. He's an artist, actor, director, translator, playwright and teacher. BB is a second generation Deaf actor. His father was an actor and director in the New York City area. While growing up in a Deaf family, his father provided him with theatre experience and naturally through osmosis and constant exposure to theatre, BB became a professional actor. He was one of the people who played a key role in the formation of the National Theatre of the Deaf during the 1960s. He has traveled around the world several times. He recently decided to do a one-man show, Theatre in the Sky, flying to and performing in cities throughout America. This fall he will perform in seven cities.

We may wonder, why is he doing this? Yes, because it's entertaining but also there's an additional motive. He's raising money to support both the National Association of the Deaf (U.S.A.) and the World Federation of the Deaf. Money from his performances will be divided equally between NAD and WFD. During the recent WFD conference in Spain, BB was there doing a number of things including directing a children's production, Babel. During WFD's closing ceremony, BB, along with the president of NAD, presented the president of WFD with a check for $25,000. The money will be used to support Deaf people of the world, especially those in developing countries.

Now we would think BB was done, but no, he's still performing and is looking to raise money for NAD. His goal is to reach the same amount he raised for WFD.  BB told me he's determined to do this and if there is any remaining money, it will go to WFD.

That would probably be enough but no, I've discovered that he has also established endowments at different universities. At California State University at Northridge, he established an endowment in his name to support Deaf artists, filmmakers, actors, and theatre. He has done the same for NTID at RIT and at Gallaudet University.

I'm really impressed with what he's doing. I imagine you are too. I like that he's supporting Deaf people of the world and Deaf artists. BB will be performing in Washington, D.C. this week. I'm going to be there in the audience, enjoying his show. If you're curious and want to see his show, click on the link below to find his touring schedule. He will be performing in Rochester,  Philadelphia and other cities. If you want to contact him, do it.

Oh, yes, on the banner above, you'll see the fingerspelled word R-e-f-l-e-c-t-i-o-n-s. You might be interested to know that the concept behind this creative way of fingerspelling the word belongs to Bernard Bragg. Back in the early days of the National Theatre of the Deaf, during the 1960s, BB, working with actors, came up with this idea and they brought it to life on stage. So for all these reasons and more, Bernard Bragg is Jane's Pick, for sure! 

Click here for more information and touring schedule for Bernard Bragg's Theatre in the Sky: http://www.nad.org/site/pp.asp?c=foINKQMBF&b=3266677

Jane

Greetings,

It is exciting to see competitions in the arts for Deaf and hard of hearing students taking place throughout the country. Some have been around for a while and others are new. I've included here five links, all related to arts in education. It is my hope that you will, after viewing the works of Deaf and hard of hearing children, do all you can to encourage and support Deaf children in reaching their full potential. All children, d/Deaf or hearing, are entitled to explore their creative nature and to create works of art, be it painting, storytelling in ASL or in English, dance or any other creative form. It has long been known among artists and enlightened educators that children who participate in the arts tend to excel academically as compared to those who have been deprived.

National Arts Education Public Awareness Campaign, this site promotes the arts in education and explains the importance of having art education as part of every school's curriculum: http://www.americansforthearts.org/public_awareness/

The distinguished 2007 10th Annual Marie Jean Philip ASL Poetry, Storytelling and Deaf Art Competition sponsored by the American Sign Language Program at Northeastern University took place in March 2007. Click to see their site and list of winners: http://www.asl.neu.edu/festival/prior_festivals/2007/

The California School for the Deaf at Riverside posted videos of students who won the school's ASL competition. You are in for a heart-warming special treat.

http://csdr-cde.ca.gov/2007/04/18/marie-jean-philip-asl-competiton-winners/

Below are two upcoming national competitions for Deaf and hard of hearing students.  Check them out and share with your friends, especially those who teach.

2008 Gallaudet National Essay, Art and ASL Contest: Click here for details: http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/newsandnotables/flash/081507

RIT National Art Competition for Students With Hearing Loss: http://www.ntid.rit.edu/media/full_text.php?article_id=609

Congratulations to everyone–students, parents, faculty, staff, schools and universities involved in supporting the arts for all d/Deaf and hard of hearing children. You guys rock!

Jane

Congratulations to Onisha Blagdon, Producer and Mei Te, Artist/Graphic Designer! Together they have created a new organization, Deaf Women of the Silver Screen. Their website announces the first biennial Film Festival, "Divas of the Silver Screen."

Click here for details http://www.dwss.org/1.html

Cinema is mostly a male domain with women traditionally providing support as actors or members of a production crew. We are, at this time, witnessing the first generation of Deaf women filmmakers – those of us who produce, write and direct films and videos.  Surely there are more on the horizon. As part of the first wave, we have Onisha Blagdon, Jade, Julia Dameron, Patty Durr, Ruthie Jordan, Bridget Klein, Catherine MacKennon, Aidan Mack, Jackie Roth, Tracey Salaway, Gunilla Wagstrom (Sweden) and yours truly. There are more, especially in Europe and Asia, and I hope with time, we'll learn more about them. Many have websites or are in the process of building one. You'll find them on the blogroll in the Filmmaker category.

Way to go Onisha and Mei!

Jane