Rochester Institute of Technology RIT Scholar Works
Articles
1983 Cultural arts among deaf people Robert Panara
Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.rit.edu/article
Recommended Citation Panara, R. (1983). Cultual arts among deaf people. Gallaudet Today, 13(3), 12-16.
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by RIT Scholar Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Articles by an authorized administrator of RIT Scholar Works. For more information, please contact [email protected]. -- ---
cultural Arts Among Deaf people
by Robert F. Panara he publicationof that remarkable novel, Roots, by TAlex Haley,and its .dramatizationon nationaltelevision has probably created more awareness of "the Black . experience" in America than any other single work since 1852,when Harriet Beecher Stowe published Unde Tom~ Cabin. It is also important to note that Roots, unlike Unde Tom~ Cabin, was the work of a Blackauthor an~ that Black . persons played the leading roles on Tv. This "cultural breakthrough" has great significance when we consider the state of the cultural arts among deaf people. To begin with, there is.the outstanding achievement of the National Theatre of the Deaf which has helped awaken the public to "Deaf Awareness." Since its establishment in 1967, NTDhas influenced millions of hearing people, in the theatre and on TV.. In their han~s, the sign language of the so-called "deaf and dumb~' has
'-
"The Camel Driver" is a dry-point etching by Cadwallader Washbum. Mr. Washbum, who graduated from Gallaudet In 1890, was not only an artist of International note, but also a journalist, oologlst, entomologist, world traveler, and explorer.
------.. -- ...... --.
been transformed (like the ugly member of the NTDsince 1968, minor roles; in the Broadway duckling) into "a many splendored Linda has also played a leading role production these parts were played thing"-a form of visual expression in productions of the LTD(the little by LewisMerkin and Julianna Gold. which paints pictures in the air and Theatre of the Deaf).She is the first PhyllisFrelich'sachievement not "suits the action to the word" (as deaf person to appear in the only proved that a talented deaf Hamlet advised the actors in longest running daytime TVserial, person could succeed on Shakespeare's play). Search for Tomorrow,and she is a Broadway,if given the opportunity, Similarly,whenever they "do permanent member of that popular but it also opened the door to their own thing," NTDhas TVprogram for children, Sesame other deaf performing artists. The presented deafness in positive ways Street. Her pretty face is also often long-running Broadwayhit was so to people unfamiliar with it. They seen in the children's magazine, successful that touring professional have dramatized "the deaf Sesame Street, which includes companies were formed. In each of experience" with such honest photographs of Linda'shands these, a deaf actress has played the ) realism as to win friends and forming words in sign language. By leading role of Sarah Norman, influence many people. And the communicating with "hands that popularized by PhyllisFrelich. The same is true of the LittleTheatre of talk", LindaBove is helping National Tour Company, appearing the Deaf, which always "steals our develop deaf awareness as well as, in major cities, featured Linda showing how deaf people can Bove.The second National Tour hearts away" with its light-handed contribute to the world of and imaginative dramatization of entertainment. Group (calledthe "Bus Company") fairy tales and poetry in a fresh and had Freda Norman in the lead role, modern manner. The big, blockbuster and the London (England) In many other ways, deaf persons breakthrough in the theatre world Company starred LizQuinn. have blazed new pathways for undoubtedly occurred in June, Currently,JackieKinner is starring others to follow in the theatre, in 1980,when deaf PhyllisFrelich, a . in the touring company television, and in the cinema. A former mainstay with the National production. Close to 20 deaf few examples may serve to Theatre of the Deaf, won the persons have been employed in emphasize the value and variety of Antoinette Perry "TonyAward" for leading or supportive roles, or as their individual contributions. Best Actress in the play, Children of understudy/substitutes. The play a Lesser Cod. This is the most will also be made into a movie, .BernardBragghas been justly distinguished prize offered by the promising to touch the hearts of called "The Prince of Players on the professional theatre each year for millions in many parts of the world. SilentStage.II He studied mime the season of plays on Broadway. with Marcel Marceau in Paris and Tony Awardsalso went to John.r " then toured the United States with Rubinstein, the noted actor, for his one man show in many of the Best ~6r, and to the author, Mark best night dubs and theatres. His Medoff, for Best.Play.The play also numerous TV credits include his has two other'deaf characters in own weekly show The Quiet Man, ::.::: frequent performances on BBC BemanJ Stagg starred in "The White Hawk"-a play written~Iy for him. programs, and guest appearances on many popular talk shows. Bernard Bragg helped establish the NTDand was one of its brightest stars for over 10 years. He has gone on many world tours as our "good wi11ambassador" in the world of theatre, .and today he is a world- famous celebrity. The publication of a biography of his life, Signs of Silence (1974),is a lasting inspiration for all deaf youth to rise above theirIi handicap. and "aim for . tbe s~ars..- .'. . . AnotHer 'one of our' shining stars, . who can often be seen on the television screen, is Linda Bove. A
'.'!
------The West Coast has been the performances and also went on Notable Deaf Persons (1975),is a scene of several other pioneering national tour (1977-78);and young collection of "mini-biographies" achievements by deaf artists during Jeffrey Bravinin the leading role of written by the late Rev.Guilbert the past decade. On November 15, the CBSSpecial Movie, And Your Braddock and edited by a deaf 1971, Jane Wilk and Peter Name Is Jonah, which was shown woman, Florence Crammatte. The Wechsberg started the very first on national television, Sunday most recent achievement is Deaf television program with evening, January 28, 1979.However, Heritage (1981)by Jack Gannon, a newscasters who were deaf. This a full account of all those deaf narrative history of deaf America. In was NewSign Four,a daily news persons who deserve mention in this SOD-pageopus, people and program by KRON-TVfor deaf this area of the cultural arts will personalities come to life against a persons in the San Francisco Bay have to wait until some historian in backdrop of historic events. area. Jane and Peter, both former the future, one hopes a deaf Featuring over 400 photographs, members of the NTD, used sign person, records it in a book. Deaf Heritageis also the best language and fingerspelling to source on deaf culture in a single Nevertheless, it is important to book to date. communicate the news of the note that the deaf person who world, as well as "what was identifies with a deaf counterpart Other sources of information are happening and where" in the local on stage or on television gets a TVprograms such as "The deaf community. NewSign Four psychological boost which serves Captioned EveningNews" (WGBH- proved so successful that it was to remove the stigma of deafness. TV,Boston) and "D.E.A.F.Media honored with an Emmy Award. One discovers a "new image" of Productions" (San Francisco).These Another EmmyAward went to one's self-a person with self- TVprograms regularly feature Deaf Peter Wechsberg in 1973for his worth, with greater confidence, Heritage segments, which chronicle documentary film, My EyesAre My with a more positive attitude events and personalities in deaf Ears,an NB(:-TVSpecial which toward life and society. And the history. The following is a brief featured "success stories" of deaf more one studies this new image, sampling: people who have contributed to the stronger becomes one's desire . Deaf Artist-Cadwallader' the cultural, educational, and social to seek other examples, or "role Washburn (1866-1965),whose growth of California. In 1975, Peter models," of deaf persons who have works were exhibited in realized a lifelong dream by succeeded in the various cultural museums all over the world, establishing "Sign Scope", a motion arts." .,. and who was called "the dean picture production company in Who are these "role models?" of American dry-point etchers." Portland, Oregon. This led to the What were their cultural interests? . Deaf Sculptor-Douglas Tilden production of a full-length movie in How did they contribute to the (1860-1935),whose statues are technicolor, Deafula, a spoof or . satirical version of.the classic cultural growth of the deaf-and to in Golden Gate Park, at the. the greater cultural development of horror film, Dracula. It also proved Universityof California, and in that a deaf artist could be as America?The list is long, and many public places in San almost endless. As mentioned Francisco. ingenious and versatile as Mel before,. what is really needed is a . Deaf Journalist-laura Redden Brooks of Hollywood, because complete written history of the Peter Wechsberg not only wrote cultural achievements of deaf Searing (1840-1923),a war the script but also directed the people. correspondent during the Civil movie and played the leading role War,who wrote for such of Deafula! Fortunately, we are getting newspapers as the St. Louis there-with every passing year, the Republican and The New York One could go on. and on to list deaf community is getting closer to many other breakthroughs by deaf Times; she also published two persons who 'have earned fame on . this ~oaJ. For instance,: we now books of poems and an have courses in "Deaf Studies" at autobiography. TV.or the living stage-such as the Gallaudet College and the National performance of the comedy Technical Institute for the Deaf. . Deaf Architect-Thomas Marr mystery, Arsenic and Old Lace, by These courses focus on the image (1866-1936),who designed the the Dramatics Club of Gallaudet of deaf characters in short stories, largest hotel of his day in College at the Fulton Theatre. in novels, and plays. They also study Nashville, Tennessee, as well New York (1943); Bruce Hlibok's the works of deaf authors-as . as many other public baildings outstanding portrayal as the deaf (including the Tennessee poets, as novelists, as dramatists, as School for the Deaf). teenage rebel in the Broadway biographers who try to preserve musical, Runaways, which enjoyed some retord of the life and work of a successful run of 180 deaf persons who have succeeded in the cultural arts. One of these special works is The Silent Muse (1961),an anthology of prose and poetry by deaf writers, edited by Robert Panara, Taras Denis, and I.H. McFarlene. Another book,
-- Another visual media effort Deaf Drama and Arts Project which has made several successful which holds great promise is (Seattle, Washington),and the New tours of the U.S. The ADDC "Beyond Sound", a deaf TV and YorkDeaf Theatre, ltd., to name maintains headquarters in Austin, FilmCompany established in the most active and successful Texas,and also conducts a Hollywood in 1979by Gregg Brooks groups. The Fairmount Theatre of workshop and training program in and Saul Rubin. Its aim is to the Deaf, Cleveland, Ohio, began cooperation with the National produce quality films and TV as a community theatre but has Theatre of the Deaf at the latter's programs dealing with deaf culture grown to become a second annual summer School for and the humanities. professional deaf theatre company. ProfessionalTheatre Personnel The National Association of the Like the NTD,it has had program in Waterford, Connecticut. tremendous success. Deaf has also helped encourage Another major dance theatre interest and participation in the Mention should also be made of company is Mus;gn, featuring a cultural arts. At its national Spectrum on Deaf Artists, which superbly talented quartet of deaf convention in 1964 it established made an attempt to establish a professional performers-Rita the National Cultural Program. permanent independent . Corey, Bob Hiltermann, Ed Chevy, Conceived by Douglas Burke, who organization to develop cultural and MarjorieTanzar. Mus;gn (an also served as national chairman, arts and artists of, for, and by the acronym of "music" and "sign") the NCP Committee organized a deaf. Based in Austin, Texas, went on national tour in the fall of national network of cultural Spectrum was spearheaded by 1982after making a sensational programs involving the "grass roots Betty Millerand Charles McKinney. debut at the World's Fairin deaf" at local, state, and regional It made a valiant attempt to found a Knoxville,Tennessee. The company, levels. Tournaments were held in deaf "cultural Utopia", but lack of. based in Berkeley,California, has which deaf individuals competed in funding and fadlities forced it.to created a unique form of visual such activities as dramatics, dissolve in 1981,after more than music using sign language, mime, painting, photography, ceramic and five years in existence. and dance to interpret an ever- plastic arts, poetry recitals, story- One of Spectrum's best changing variety of popular songs. telling in signs, dance, and beauty promotions, however, is still alive The result is a fast-stepping musical pageants. The winners of each tournament were invited to and Welland flourishing. This is the American Deaf Dance Company, a partidpate in the National Cultural group of talented deaf professionals Program Contest, held during the ~ " NAD Conventions. These national contests became known as the National Culturama Program, and had become the highlight of each NADConvention. They could be .compared to Hollywood'sAcademy Awards Night inasmuch as the winning contestants were honored with the prized "Golden NADDY Awards." Although the NAD Cultural Program was discontinued in 1976, mostly because of t~e difficulty of funding expenses for tournaments and travel, its influence remains. This is evident in our developing deaf community theatres-The Hughes Memorial Theatre (Washiflgton, D.C.); Northwest Theatre of the Deaf (Vancouver, Washington); Spectrum Deaf Theatre Company (Austin, Texas);
John Kovacs,a 12-year-olddeal boy was cast as a deaf child and pennanent family member 01the NBC-TVdramaticseries, "'The family Tree., which premiered February5, 1983.
------revue, communicated rhythmically One of these is KittyO'Neil, deaf two deaf parents who raise a through the visual language of sign- from infancy,who has been called hearing child. mime, which is both captivating "Hollywood's most amazing stunt No doubt about it-Deaf and equally appealing to both woman." For many years now, Kitty Women's Power is on the rise. And hearing and deaf audiences. O'Neil has been a "stand-in" for it may be just the challenge that Probably the greatest individual Hollywood and TVactresses the deaf male needs today. If so, achievement by a deaf person in wherever the scene proves we already have the right man to the field of dance is that of Frances dangerous to human life. Her roles help us regain our former pride Woods, who was a premature baby include substituting for Linda and stature-"The Incredible born without ear drums in 1907.A Carter whenever "Wonder Woman" Hulk!"-that is, Lou Ferrigno, graduate of the Ohio School for leaps over rooftops or jumps down another deaf person who has made the Deaf, she has been dancing to earth from the 12th floor; for it "big" on national TV. professionally with BillyBray,her Lee Grant, who almost drowned in the sinking jetliner in Airport 1977; Lou Ferrigno was born and raised hearing husband, for over 50 years. in Brooklyn, New York.An ear Known as ''The Wonder Dancers", for Lisa Blount, when she was ablaze with fire during a graveyard infection at age three caused a Woods and Bray have performed in permanent severe loss of hearing many of the best night clubs and scene in the movie 9-30-55;for Lana Wood when she was hanging and made learning to speak quite hotels in America and Europe, out a window on the 10th floor in difficult. Often finding it hard to be featuring a wide repertory of dance the TVseries Baretta; as well as for understood by his peers, Lou numbers from "The Adagio" and became shy and withdrawn so that "The French Apache" to the fox- roles on The Bionic Woman, and countless others. at the age of 16 he was a skinny 90 trot, the rhumba, and the cha
------