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Deaf will be able to
They might not be able to hear the words and music from A Christmas Carol, but the deaf and hard of hearing will still know what’s being said, thanks to a trio of sign-language interpreters on stage.
For the first time, a group of volunteers, known as the Holly Tree Cup of Tea Productions, are able to provide the deaf community with a unique soundtrack to one of their plays.
“They are going to interpret the entire dramatic readings, which has lots of drama in it, and the music,” said director Wanda Burrill.
When the classic Charles Dickens’ play opens at the Bella Rose Arts Centre in Halifax on Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 4, an American sign language, English interpreter for the deaf and hard of hearing will be there too.
The exhausting job of interpreting is being shared among three individuals from the Maritime Association of Professional Sign Language Interpreters throughout each night.
In order to make sure deaf and hard of hearing audience members have a good viewpoint, several front-row seats to the left and right of the stage have been set aside. Anyone with a hearing disability are asked to identify themselves as such when buying their tickets.
Burrill said given the shortage of interpreters, her local, non-profit group is thrilled to be helping to bridge liguistic gaps in the deaf community.
Frank O’Sullivan, executive director of the Society of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Nova Scotians, said while larger venues like the Neptune Theatre have hosted plays with interpreters in the past, this is the first community event that’s he’s aware of to offer it.
“It is a wonderful opportunity,” O’Sullivan said, who is deaf himself.
kmoar@hfxnews.ca
A Christmas Carol will be presented on Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 4 at The Bella Rose Arts Center, 283 Thomas Raddall Dr. in Halifax. Tickets are $22 for adults, $17 for seniors/students and children are $12. Purchase tickets online at Welcome | Bella Rose Arts Centre or phone 457-3239.
They might not be able to hear the words and music from A Christmas Carol, but the deaf and hard of hearing will still know what’s being said, thanks to a trio of sign-language interpreters on stage.
For the first time, a group of volunteers, known as the Holly Tree Cup of Tea Productions, are able to provide the deaf community with a unique soundtrack to one of their plays.
“They are going to interpret the entire dramatic readings, which has lots of drama in it, and the music,” said director Wanda Burrill.
When the classic Charles Dickens’ play opens at the Bella Rose Arts Centre in Halifax on Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 4, an American sign language, English interpreter for the deaf and hard of hearing will be there too.
The exhausting job of interpreting is being shared among three individuals from the Maritime Association of Professional Sign Language Interpreters throughout each night.
In order to make sure deaf and hard of hearing audience members have a good viewpoint, several front-row seats to the left and right of the stage have been set aside. Anyone with a hearing disability are asked to identify themselves as such when buying their tickets.
Burrill said given the shortage of interpreters, her local, non-profit group is thrilled to be helping to bridge liguistic gaps in the deaf community.
Frank O’Sullivan, executive director of the Society of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Nova Scotians, said while larger venues like the Neptune Theatre have hosted plays with interpreters in the past, this is the first community event that’s he’s aware of to offer it.
“It is a wonderful opportunity,” O’Sullivan said, who is deaf himself.
kmoar@hfxnews.ca
A Christmas Carol will be presented on Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 4 at The Bella Rose Arts Center, 283 Thomas Raddall Dr. in Halifax. Tickets are $22 for adults, $17 for seniors/students and children are $12. Purchase tickets online at Welcome | Bella Rose Arts Centre or phone 457-3239.
