scribbler86
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2008
- Messages
- 21
- Reaction score
- 0
I auditioned for "The Sound of Music" for a local community theater and made it into the cast. (did "My Favorite Things" in ASL for those wanting details..)
However, I have a dilemna. They used a CODA (who is 16 years old and a 'minor') to interpret for auditions - I allowed it as it was a last-minute thing and the CODA was already there auditioning for Liesl. (She got the part). But I told them that for the actual meetings and rehearsals, I wanted an interpreter and a script. They said they would look into it. (this is a hearing theater - I'm the only deafie who actually showed up).
Lo and behold, when I showed up for the cast meeting, the CODA was there to interpret (again) and she didn't do much and left after 20 minutes. I stayed the whole 90 minutes and got a bit of this and that. I felt really betrayed. So I emailed the director my concerns and this is what I got in reply: no interpreter - can't afford it (even though I pointed them into the general direction of grants made thru VSArts specifically for access) and no scripts - only the leads get them.
so I didn't feel like it was worth my time to stay in the cast and fight for access the entire time... these are my reasons.
1. The only songs I'll be signing are those in Latin. (I would have had to translate them, learn to hear Latin and somehow keep up with the cast... why can't I do something like 'Edelweiss' or 'Do Re Mi'? Anything BUT 'Dixit Dominus' and 'Praedlium'. Basicallly I'm doing all the non-ENglish songs). Whoopee. NOT.
2. They won't hire an interpreter "we can't afford it" blah blah. Go get the grant from MRAC... The guy there specifically told them about the grant I know cuz he did a bcc of the email to me. Laziness... they're making the CODA terp. I told them, how can she be in two places at the same time? If I'm working with the vocals and they're blocking 'Do-Re-Mi'... how? Didn't think about that.
3.They won't do an ASL performance (ie no interpreted show) and I'm like, why should I do a show that won't hire 'terps - what if my friends wanted to come? IT would be hypocritical of me as it goes against my standards. Why? " no funds..." Again, go to MRAC (Minnesota Regional Arts Council). or VSArts. Something.
4. No script. They only go to Maria, the Captain, Max and the Baroness and photocopies for the kids and the "lead" nuns. Again... how? (I do know that I have memorized the FILM version but again... script? If no terp, then a script is the alternative.... leaving me with no options.
5. They stress 'family' but I see no family going on. 'Everyone is welcome"? Ii think not.
Wich puts me back at square one... again. (Why do I keep auditioning for 'hearing' musicals? Simply cuz the closest theater that does 'ASL musicals' is in Chicago.... and I obviously can't commute between here and there.
Obviiously I can't sue them due to the 'loopholes' in the ADA... 'reasonable accomodations' means getting a 16 years old CODA to interpret AT the SAME time as performing Liesl? Um I don't think so. What if I wanted to show up to SEE the show and asked for a 'terp - they would say no. (I did ask) So... what grounds does that leave me at?
Still pissed off...
A friend told me that I had a legit complaint but I'm wondering what would be the best way to address this situation- I do want to quit but at the same time, those people need to learn how to handle the once-in-a-blue-moon deaf who shows up for auditions... I did FAME with little problem (it did help that 8 of the cast knew basic sign language and three were semi-fluent, and the director was aware of Deaf culture having directed "A Taste of Sunrise"). What do yo think I should do about this?
However, I have a dilemna. They used a CODA (who is 16 years old and a 'minor') to interpret for auditions - I allowed it as it was a last-minute thing and the CODA was already there auditioning for Liesl. (She got the part). But I told them that for the actual meetings and rehearsals, I wanted an interpreter and a script. They said they would look into it. (this is a hearing theater - I'm the only deafie who actually showed up).
Lo and behold, when I showed up for the cast meeting, the CODA was there to interpret (again) and she didn't do much and left after 20 minutes. I stayed the whole 90 minutes and got a bit of this and that. I felt really betrayed. So I emailed the director my concerns and this is what I got in reply: no interpreter - can't afford it (even though I pointed them into the general direction of grants made thru VSArts specifically for access) and no scripts - only the leads get them.
so I didn't feel like it was worth my time to stay in the cast and fight for access the entire time... these are my reasons.
1. The only songs I'll be signing are those in Latin. (I would have had to translate them, learn to hear Latin and somehow keep up with the cast... why can't I do something like 'Edelweiss' or 'Do Re Mi'? Anything BUT 'Dixit Dominus' and 'Praedlium'. Basicallly I'm doing all the non-ENglish songs). Whoopee. NOT.
2. They won't hire an interpreter "we can't afford it" blah blah. Go get the grant from MRAC... The guy there specifically told them about the grant I know cuz he did a bcc of the email to me. Laziness... they're making the CODA terp. I told them, how can she be in two places at the same time? If I'm working with the vocals and they're blocking 'Do-Re-Mi'... how? Didn't think about that.
3.They won't do an ASL performance (ie no interpreted show) and I'm like, why should I do a show that won't hire 'terps - what if my friends wanted to come? IT would be hypocritical of me as it goes against my standards. Why? " no funds..." Again, go to MRAC (Minnesota Regional Arts Council). or VSArts. Something.
4. No script. They only go to Maria, the Captain, Max and the Baroness and photocopies for the kids and the "lead" nuns. Again... how? (I do know that I have memorized the FILM version but again... script? If no terp, then a script is the alternative.... leaving me with no options.
5. They stress 'family' but I see no family going on. 'Everyone is welcome"? Ii think not.
Wich puts me back at square one... again. (Why do I keep auditioning for 'hearing' musicals? Simply cuz the closest theater that does 'ASL musicals' is in Chicago.... and I obviously can't commute between here and there.
Obviiously I can't sue them due to the 'loopholes' in the ADA... 'reasonable accomodations' means getting a 16 years old CODA to interpret AT the SAME time as performing Liesl? Um I don't think so. What if I wanted to show up to SEE the show and asked for a 'terp - they would say no. (I did ask) So... what grounds does that leave me at?
Still pissed off...
A friend told me that I had a legit complaint but I'm wondering what would be the best way to address this situation- I do want to quit but at the same time, those people need to learn how to handle the once-in-a-blue-moon deaf who shows up for auditions... I did FAME with little problem (it did help that 8 of the cast knew basic sign language and three were semi-fluent, and the director was aware of Deaf culture having directed "A Taste of Sunrise"). What do yo think I should do about this?