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LEWISHAM: Deaf playwrights make their voices heard (From News Shopper)
LAST year, Deafinitely Theatre - London’s pre-eminent deaf-led theatre company - created a development workshop called Deafinitely Creative for the benefit of young deaf writers.
This month the project is producing Deafinitely Shorts, a showcase of six short pieces written by the emerging talents from the programme.
Lewisham resident Aliya Gulamani has seen her writing transformed by the project. “I have learnt how to characterize in depth, how to determine plot and most importantly the thought functions behind being a writer – which has been the most valuable lesson.”
Asked how she feels about using these skills upon completion of the project, she looks to the longterm.
“After completeing my degree in English and Drama, I would like to do an MA in Creative Writing – specializing most probably in playwrighting.”
The project, begun by Paula Garfield and led by playwright Andrew Muir, began as a response to the theatre’s constant challenge of finding well-trained and experienced deaf playwrights.
Up until now, a lack of training for deaf writers has meant that the theatre was constantly outsourcing writing to hearing authors.
The aim of Deafinitely Creative is to provide a credible source of training for deaf individuals who wish to become skilled in writing for stage and screen.
It is a vital and timely project as Deaf writers are woefully underrepresented in British theatre and film, an imbalance that Deafinitely Theatre is keen to redress.
According to Muir the project “has provided an opportunity for deaf writers to express themselves creatively without fear of failure.
"At its core have been six courageous writers, so dogged in their willingness to learn and develop their skills, that at times I found myself speechless.”
The project ensures deaf voices can be heard and challenges accepted social conventions of what deafness means, proving again that there are no limits to what deaf artists can achieve if given adequate support.
Deafinitely Shorts. The Drill Hall, Chenies Street, London. December 10 to 12. 7.30pm. £5. 020 7307 5061.
LAST year, Deafinitely Theatre - London’s pre-eminent deaf-led theatre company - created a development workshop called Deafinitely Creative for the benefit of young deaf writers.
This month the project is producing Deafinitely Shorts, a showcase of six short pieces written by the emerging talents from the programme.
Lewisham resident Aliya Gulamani has seen her writing transformed by the project. “I have learnt how to characterize in depth, how to determine plot and most importantly the thought functions behind being a writer – which has been the most valuable lesson.”
Asked how she feels about using these skills upon completion of the project, she looks to the longterm.
“After completeing my degree in English and Drama, I would like to do an MA in Creative Writing – specializing most probably in playwrighting.”
The project, begun by Paula Garfield and led by playwright Andrew Muir, began as a response to the theatre’s constant challenge of finding well-trained and experienced deaf playwrights.
Up until now, a lack of training for deaf writers has meant that the theatre was constantly outsourcing writing to hearing authors.
The aim of Deafinitely Creative is to provide a credible source of training for deaf individuals who wish to become skilled in writing for stage and screen.
It is a vital and timely project as Deaf writers are woefully underrepresented in British theatre and film, an imbalance that Deafinitely Theatre is keen to redress.
According to Muir the project “has provided an opportunity for deaf writers to express themselves creatively without fear of failure.
"At its core have been six courageous writers, so dogged in their willingness to learn and develop their skills, that at times I found myself speechless.”
The project ensures deaf voices can be heard and challenges accepted social conventions of what deafness means, proving again that there are no limits to what deaf artists can achieve if given adequate support.
Deafinitely Shorts. The Drill Hall, Chenies Street, London. December 10 to 12. 7.30pm. £5. 020 7307 5061.