Miss-Delectable
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Deaf Actors Tells Christmas Story in Holiday Play
In many holiday musicals the singers have voices like angels. The problem is one community can't enjoy what so many seem to love because all they hear is silence. So one area church is putting on a play and the message is getting to the audience loud and clear.
"This year our Christmas drama is entitled Hillbilly Christmas," says Pastor of Woodhaven Baptist Deaf Church Pastor Arthur Craig.
A “Hillbilly holiday play?” That isn't the only way this show is unconventional. This Christmas play is put on for and by Houston's hearing impaired. One actor starts swaying his hips to loud Bluegrass style music playing as he signs "I'm ready for a good old-fashioned, Saturday night, Kentucky hoe down".
"Yee haw," another actor signs from the stage. This isn't Woodhaven's first rodeo. The church has been signing a Christmas story on stage for some time.
"I'm involved in this drama because I like drama. It's something where I can be involved in my church and give back to the community. So I really enjoy that," signs church member and actress in the play Kathy Walters in an interview with Fox 26. Pastor Craig is translating for us.
"Communication to the deaf is very visual. We began to produce this drama and it has evolved into something bigger and better. We have so many from the deaf community involved in it" says Pastor Craig.
In this holiday play, the deaf tell a story. "Do you understand me?" one actress signs as she looks up to the sky. Deaf actors are on stage using sign language. Hearing actors are behind the scenes, speaking into microphones, lending their voices.
"So we tell this story, the Christmas story, in this drama and it gives the deaf people (a chance) to know they can be involved in music and can be involved in the emotional part of presenting this drama," signs church member and an actor in the play Abel Yarrito. The sound of a banjo playing spills into the auditorium through the speakers. It may not be the Christmas carols you've come to know but you could say this holiday production is music to the ears for so many.
"We're just happy to share everything with the deaf community and with all of Houston," signs Kathy and Abel.
In many holiday musicals the singers have voices like angels. The problem is one community can't enjoy what so many seem to love because all they hear is silence. So one area church is putting on a play and the message is getting to the audience loud and clear.
"This year our Christmas drama is entitled Hillbilly Christmas," says Pastor of Woodhaven Baptist Deaf Church Pastor Arthur Craig.
A “Hillbilly holiday play?” That isn't the only way this show is unconventional. This Christmas play is put on for and by Houston's hearing impaired. One actor starts swaying his hips to loud Bluegrass style music playing as he signs "I'm ready for a good old-fashioned, Saturday night, Kentucky hoe down".
"Yee haw," another actor signs from the stage. This isn't Woodhaven's first rodeo. The church has been signing a Christmas story on stage for some time.
"I'm involved in this drama because I like drama. It's something where I can be involved in my church and give back to the community. So I really enjoy that," signs church member and actress in the play Kathy Walters in an interview with Fox 26. Pastor Craig is translating for us.
"Communication to the deaf is very visual. We began to produce this drama and it has evolved into something bigger and better. We have so many from the deaf community involved in it" says Pastor Craig.
In this holiday play, the deaf tell a story. "Do you understand me?" one actress signs as she looks up to the sky. Deaf actors are on stage using sign language. Hearing actors are behind the scenes, speaking into microphones, lending their voices.
"So we tell this story, the Christmas story, in this drama and it gives the deaf people (a chance) to know they can be involved in music and can be involved in the emotional part of presenting this drama," signs church member and an actor in the play Abel Yarrito. The sound of a banjo playing spills into the auditorium through the speakers. It may not be the Christmas carols you've come to know but you could say this holiday production is music to the ears for so many.
"We're just happy to share everything with the deaf community and with all of Houston," signs Kathy and Abel.