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Appleton Post-Crescent: Your Fox Cities News Source - Cheryl Sherry: Deaf performer looks to empower at PAH! celebration
Rosa Lee likes to express herself in many different ways. That's the reason she became a performance artist.
"I believe it started when I first attended a deaf camp called Youth Leadership Camp," the New England woman said by e-mail. "They had a drama class that I took. I think I was about 14 years old at that time ... and I don't know, I just fell in love with it."
After trying out for her first play in high school, Lee was hooked.
Incorporating artistic talent and her experiences as a deaf woman from a deaf family, Lee brings her one-woman show "R" to the fifth annual PAH! Celebration held from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Waverly Beach in Menasha. She also will lead a workshop on self-esteem for deaf and hard of hearing children ages 8 to 14.
The fundraiser benefits Deaf Empowerment. Located within the Fox Cities Rotary Multicultural Center in Appleton, the organization was established in 2001 by Lori Fuller and Melanie Blechl in response to a need for services among D/HH individuals in the Fox Valley.
"The purpose of PAH! is to celebrate deaf culture and community," Blechl said. "Our mission is to empower deaf and hard of hearing individuals to lead more productive lives through advocacy, education and community involvement. (PAH!) is a day of education for kids, enlightenment for adults and entertainment for all."
In American Sign Language, PAH! roughly means "success, finally we made it."
Lee began her artistic career in 1993 in "PAH Side Story." In 1997, she co-founded Dangerous Signs, a New York-based performance arts group. Lee's first one-woman show was titled "The UnSeen," which she performed for two years before launching "R."
"It is a multimedia performance that focuses on who we are, what we see, how we feel as a deaf or hard of hearing person," she said. "My show incorporates sign language song performances, ASL storytelling, poetry, video skits and so on. What the audience can expect from the show is laughter, introspection and hopefully a feeling of renewed inspiration to follow their hearts."
There is a National Deaf Theatre in Connecticut, Deaf West Theatre in California and many local deaf theater programs throughout the country, Lee said. Also in existence are several deaf-owned film/video production companies such as Mosdeux, Blue Apple Films, ASL Films and acting schools for deaf and hard of hearing as well as performing arts programs offered at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf/Rochester Institute of Technology in New York.
"Deaf arts festivals can also be found throughout the country as well as deaf artists doing their own thing just like myself," Lee said. "While there are some options out there for deaf and hard of hearing artists to explore however, there is still a great need to tap into the mainstream entertainment industry. We're often two steps behind."
What: Fifth annual PAH! Celebration to benefit Deaf Empowerment featuring children's workshops, live auction, 50/50 cash raffle and a performance by Rosa Lee
When: 1 to 9 p.m. today
Where: Waverly Beach, Menasha
Cost: At the door $30 adults, $17 children ages 10 to 13, $11 ages 3 to 9 and $5 for those under 3. By showing up at the door, a meal (reservations only) is not guaranteed. However, individuals can enjoy Rosa Lee's performance and other activities.
Contact: Pah@deafe.org
Rosa Lee likes to express herself in many different ways. That's the reason she became a performance artist.
"I believe it started when I first attended a deaf camp called Youth Leadership Camp," the New England woman said by e-mail. "They had a drama class that I took. I think I was about 14 years old at that time ... and I don't know, I just fell in love with it."
After trying out for her first play in high school, Lee was hooked.
Incorporating artistic talent and her experiences as a deaf woman from a deaf family, Lee brings her one-woman show "R" to the fifth annual PAH! Celebration held from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Waverly Beach in Menasha. She also will lead a workshop on self-esteem for deaf and hard of hearing children ages 8 to 14.
The fundraiser benefits Deaf Empowerment. Located within the Fox Cities Rotary Multicultural Center in Appleton, the organization was established in 2001 by Lori Fuller and Melanie Blechl in response to a need for services among D/HH individuals in the Fox Valley.
"The purpose of PAH! is to celebrate deaf culture and community," Blechl said. "Our mission is to empower deaf and hard of hearing individuals to lead more productive lives through advocacy, education and community involvement. (PAH!) is a day of education for kids, enlightenment for adults and entertainment for all."
In American Sign Language, PAH! roughly means "success, finally we made it."
Lee began her artistic career in 1993 in "PAH Side Story." In 1997, she co-founded Dangerous Signs, a New York-based performance arts group. Lee's first one-woman show was titled "The UnSeen," which she performed for two years before launching "R."
"It is a multimedia performance that focuses on who we are, what we see, how we feel as a deaf or hard of hearing person," she said. "My show incorporates sign language song performances, ASL storytelling, poetry, video skits and so on. What the audience can expect from the show is laughter, introspection and hopefully a feeling of renewed inspiration to follow their hearts."
There is a National Deaf Theatre in Connecticut, Deaf West Theatre in California and many local deaf theater programs throughout the country, Lee said. Also in existence are several deaf-owned film/video production companies such as Mosdeux, Blue Apple Films, ASL Films and acting schools for deaf and hard of hearing as well as performing arts programs offered at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf/Rochester Institute of Technology in New York.
"Deaf arts festivals can also be found throughout the country as well as deaf artists doing their own thing just like myself," Lee said. "While there are some options out there for deaf and hard of hearing artists to explore however, there is still a great need to tap into the mainstream entertainment industry. We're often two steps behind."
What: Fifth annual PAH! Celebration to benefit Deaf Empowerment featuring children's workshops, live auction, 50/50 cash raffle and a performance by Rosa Lee
When: 1 to 9 p.m. today
Where: Waverly Beach, Menasha
Cost: At the door $30 adults, $17 children ages 10 to 13, $11 ages 3 to 9 and $5 for those under 3. By showing up at the door, a meal (reservations only) is not guaranteed. However, individuals can enjoy Rosa Lee's performance and other activities.
Contact: Pah@deafe.org