Jerome Parisse, click
here to update your pages on AuthorsDen.
Blogs by Jerome Parisse
Writing for the deaf and the hearing 6/7/2010 3:02:13 PM
A friend of mine and I are taking on a new challenge: We've decided to write a play suitable for both deaf and hearing audiences, but without any interpreting, captioning or voice over of any kind! On stage today there is a variety of plays that are presented to a mixed deaf/hearing audience. Visual theatre, without any words spoken; "normal" plays, with sign language interpreters on each side of the stage (or sometimes what is called "shadow interpreters") or captioning; or mixed plays, with spoken and sign languages used, where actors sign and speak simultaneously - or at different times during the part (My play "My Sister's Choice" is an example of such play).
The problem with a lot of them is that they never feel totally real - more often than not, the hearing or the deaf audience suffers. They have to crane their neck to see the interpreter and watch what's happening on stage at the same time, they struggle to read words disappearing too quickly, the transcription does an okay job, but just an okay job, etc. This is why we thought we would try a slightly different proposition. The play we are writing will have hearing actors who will speak (and hear!) and deaf actors who will sign. The hearing audience will listen to the hearing actors speak and watch the deaf actors, while the deaf audience will watch the deaf actors sign and see the hearing actors struggle with communication. Of course the play is about transmitting messages, and it will be fun to watch actors from each side try to communicate with "the other side". Having said that, we have built a real story , with unexpected twists and the usual clashes. We're trying to make it meaningful, fun to watch and listen to, smart, and educational. Watch this space!
