DREAM OF BRINGING THEATER TO LIFE FOR DEAF IS REALIZED MISSION: MUSICAL PRODUCTION FOR HEARING IMPAIRED TRAVELS U.S., JAPAN.Byline: Connie Llanos llanos (yä`nōs), Spanish American term for prairies, specifically those of the Orinoco River basin of N South America, in Venezuela and E Colombia. Staff Writer When Ed Waterstreet Ed Waterstreet is the founder and artistic director of Deaf West Theatre. He is married to Linda Bove, better known as "Linda the Librarian" from Sesame Street. came to Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , the theater buff was disappointed with his entertainment options. Growing up as the only deaf child in a family of seven in the Midwest, Waterstreet's options for theater were more than limited. He figured if there was anywhere he'd be able to get quality theater as a member of the deaf community, it would be in Hollywood. "But I was shocked that in Los Angeles there was almost no theaters for the deaf and hard of hearing," he said. So Waterstreet set off on a mission to create a theater venue that celebrated the deaf culture This article describes aspects of Deaf cultures. See also deafness and Models of deafness. For a discussion of the medical condition, see hearing impairment. Deaf community and Deaf culture . Waterstreet established the North Hollywood-based Deaf West Theatre Founded in 1991, Deaf West Theatre Company has become a cultural institution serving as a model for deaf theatre worldwide. It is noted for being the first professional resident Sign Language Theatre in the western half of the United States. in 1991, when it became the first professional sign-language theater on the West Coast. Deaf West had no theaters to compare itself to or to go to for advice, but Waterstreet said at first, the theater received plenty of public support -- just not from the community he expected. "In the beginning, most of our audience was hearing people," Waterstreet said. "That was great, but it also showed that the deaf and hard of hearing community wasn't used to having theater catered to their needs." In an ironic turn of events, Waterstreet had to adapt his performances for the hearing. At first, he provided infrared hearing aids Hearing Aids Definition A hearing aid is a device that can amplify sound waves in order to help a deaf or hard-of-hearing person hear sounds more clearly. for hearing people to listen to a reading of the script that was being signed on stage. "That didn't work because it was distracting," Waterstreet said. So Waterstreet decided he would have both deaf and hearing actors rehearse re·hearse v. re·hearsed, re·hears·ing, re·hears·es v.tr. 1. a. To practice (a part in a play, for example) in preparation for a public performance. b. the same roles together. Then the hearing actors could simultaneously provide a voice for the deaf actors from behind the curtain in concealment; in secret. See also: Curtain . The successful melding of the two mediums led Waterstreet to pursue a lifelong dream. He said he remembered how his family used to love listening to music on the radio and in church. He also recalled how holiday musicals were a family favorite. Waterstreet said he was always forced to come along. "I would sit there alone watching these people move their mouths. I couldn't hear anything, but I could also see how much people enjoyed it. I always kept that in the back of my mind and I said if I ever did theater, I would like to do musicals." As soon as he saw the visual power of signed music, Waterstreet said, he was determined to bring musical productions to life for the deaf. Jeanie Hackett, co-artistic director of the Antaeus Company, L.A.'s Classical Theater Ensemble, said the experience is unforgettable. "It's like watching dance," she said. "The sign language takes on a different movement. It's physical." The musicals have been tremendously successful for the nonprofit A corporation or an association that conducts business for the benefit of the general public without shareholders and without a profit motive. Nonprofits are also called not-for-profit corporations. Nonprofit corporations are created according to state law. theater. "Big River," the theater's most recent musical production, went across the country, even to Broadway -- then traveled to Japan. "When I first talked about a deaf musical, people thought I was crazy," Waterstreet said. "But it worked." Future plans for the theater include working with Centre Theatre Group -- the largest theater organization in Los Angeles -- and the Community Redevelopment Agency, which has recently picked the theater for its Arts Revitalization re·vi·tal·ize tr.v. re·vi·tal·ized, re·vi·tal·iz·ing, re·vi·tal·iz·es To impart new life or vigor to: plans to revitalize inner-city neighborhoods; tried to revitalize a flagging economy. Program. Also, Waterstreet said, he plans to continue his work with young people. Deaf West does outreach with elementary school elementary school: see school. students and occasionally sets up free performances for youngsters at its theater. For Waterstreet, the mission has always been the same. "I wanted deaf people This is an incomplete list of notable deaf people. Important historical figures in deaf history and culture The idea that a person who was deaf could achieve a notable or distinguished status was not common until the latter half of the 18th century, when Abbé Charles-Michel de to have the chance to experience the same things as hearing people when it came to theater," Waterstreet said. "I am glad we have been able to do that." connie.llanos(at)dailynews.com 818-713-3634 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Ed Waterstreet is founder and artistic director of Deaf West Theatre in North Hollywood, where theater productions are designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing actors and audiences. When the theater was established in 1991, it became the first professional sign-language theater on the West Coast. Evan Yee/Staff Photographer |
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