Reflections Through a DeafLens

Greetings,

There is much going on around the globe in terms of Deaf art and related events. What I have here is just a fraction of the positive developments that serve to inspire, motivate and ground us as human beings and artists.

Belgium: Theatre Hand in the Eye is a beautifully designed site and I know you'll enjoy the information it contains.

United States: CJ's Three Day Odyssey Around the Globe, International Sign Language Theatre Festival demonstates again CJ Jones' vision and drive. In my book, he is one of my heroes, and I'm sure he'll become one of yours when you see what he's planning!

Norway: Check out Zoom's newest edition. Con Mehum is a one of a kind filmmaker. His talented wife, Ipek, also Deaf, is an actress and correspondent for Zoom. You'll want to bookmark this site so you can keep up with Con and Ipek.

Bedouin:  Discover Magazine brings us a fascinating story of how a language develops among Deaf Bedouin children.

England: Deaf filmmaker Charlie Swinbourne's Coming Out is an award-winning film Deaf people are enjoying and sharing with friends and colleagues. See if you don't agree.

Malaysia: Deaf Artists collaborate on a calendar. Perhaps someday we'll see Deaf artists of the world collaborate on an art project that support Sign Languages of the world.

United States: Through D-PAN, we meet the Ghetto Hand Boyz from Texas and watch them, in one of their songs, rap on the rights of Deaf children.

France: Award-winning Deaf actress Emmanuelle Laborit is the Artistic and Administative Director of the theatre group, International Visual Theatre (IVT). As a child, Emmanuelle met Deaf American, Alfredo Corrado, the co-founder of IVT who has had a lasting influence on her life. 

Japan: Akhiro Yonaiyama, a former member of the United States' National Theatre of the Deaf is the co-founder of Japan Deaf Theatre. He is also one of the leading advocates for Japanese Sign Language and Deaf Art.

These stories make my day, and hope they do yours, too.

Jane

Hello,

Most of us know Marlee Matlin as the actress who won the 1987 Oscar as Best Actress for her work in the film Children of a Lesser God. Since that time, she has appeared in movies and many popular television shows. I don't think many of us realize that Marlee is also a writer who has published two books for children. Her first book, Deaf Child Crossing is about a 9-year-old Deaf girl named Megan and her experiences in a mainstream classroom. Marlee's most recent book, Nobody's Perfect is also about Megan. The second book was written with Doug Cooney. He adapted the story into a play for the stage. The play has been in rehearsal this past summer and will open on October 19th (world premiere) at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. The production was co-commissioned and is being co-produced by VSA arts and the Kennedy Center. I find this exciting because the production involves both Deaf and hearing people. The lead actor is a young Deaf woman, Tami Santimyer.

You know, it's a small world. The director of the play, Nobody's Perfect worked with the Big River production. I'm sure you remember Big River from 2003-2004 when it toured America. Both Deaf and hearing people flocked to see it. It was a popular musical production.  At that time, Coy Middlebrook was the associate director and choreographer of Big River. Now he's the director of Nobody's Perfect. It's also a musical. Coy's student intern (directing), is a Deaf student from Gallaudet University's Theatre Arts department.

I think it's cool, Deaf and hearing people working together to create a work of art. I think many children who see the play will learn something about Deaf people, American Sign Language and most importantly, that it's okay to be different.

If you live near Washington, DC, or perhaps work in a school or have children in your life, I hope you will do what you can to arrange for them to see the play at JFK Center for the Performing Arts. I was excited, during the early part of the summer, when I had the rare privilege of attending a very rough reading of the play. I found it interesting. I've just recently received an invitation to attend the dress rehearsal. My  "granddaughter" Victoria and I are going. It promises to be a special night, and we're looking forward to it. The play is recommended for children ages 9 and up.

Congratulations Marlee!

Jane

p.s.  The Washington Post published a preview of Nobody's Perfect in the Style section on October 10, 2007.   Here's a review of the show that appeared in the Washington Post on October 24, 2007.