Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
http://wfmz.com/cgi-bin/tt.cgi?action=viewstory&storyid=14223
Learning another language can open the lines of communication between cultures. And just beyond the Berks border - there's a school hoping to break down the barriers from the moment students set foot in the classroom.
Nats of play
REPORTER:
They are performers in a play - entertaining children in a form of theater that doesn't need to make a sound.
For two of the actors - this is what they hear.
Nats of silence (drop out audio)
REPORTER:
The performers are part of a touring group with the National Theater of the Deaf, made up of both hearing and deaf artists.
The audience sees and hears every word through NTD's signature performance style - combining sign language and the spoken word.
Chris: 10:06
The performance was great today probably one of our best shows because the energy was just through the roof the whole time.
REPORTER:
The captive audience?
Elementary students from Coventry Christian School in North Coventry Township who have been learning sign language since pre-school.
Mark Niehls: 15:20
I think it broadens their perspective of those within our community that cannot and do not speak and I think it gives them not only the skill but then exposes them to the deaf culture in a way that's very healthy and educationally beneficial for them.
Naomi: 13:50
It's a good thing for the kids even though they are not deaf - it's a good show so we just want to share that it's not theater for the deaf - it's The National Theater of the Deaf so it's open to everyone.
Nats of play
REPORTER:
For the past year- the school's sign language teacher- has worked to bring the theater group here for a performance.
Traci Hoffman: 16:36
Because I can teach them all the sign that I want - they need to know that its real.
They need to meet these people and to see that they look just like you and me but it's important that they know how talented the deaf community is.
Nats of play
REPORTER:
And at the end - a sign of silent praise that's just as effective as thunderous
Applause.
Learning another language can open the lines of communication between cultures. And just beyond the Berks border - there's a school hoping to break down the barriers from the moment students set foot in the classroom.
Nats of play
REPORTER:
They are performers in a play - entertaining children in a form of theater that doesn't need to make a sound.
For two of the actors - this is what they hear.
Nats of silence (drop out audio)
REPORTER:
The performers are part of a touring group with the National Theater of the Deaf, made up of both hearing and deaf artists.
The audience sees and hears every word through NTD's signature performance style - combining sign language and the spoken word.
Chris: 10:06
The performance was great today probably one of our best shows because the energy was just through the roof the whole time.
REPORTER:
The captive audience?
Elementary students from Coventry Christian School in North Coventry Township who have been learning sign language since pre-school.
Mark Niehls: 15:20
I think it broadens their perspective of those within our community that cannot and do not speak and I think it gives them not only the skill but then exposes them to the deaf culture in a way that's very healthy and educationally beneficial for them.
Naomi: 13:50
It's a good thing for the kids even though they are not deaf - it's a good show so we just want to share that it's not theater for the deaf - it's The National Theater of the Deaf so it's open to everyone.
Nats of play
REPORTER:
For the past year- the school's sign language teacher- has worked to bring the theater group here for a performance.
Traci Hoffman: 16:36
Because I can teach them all the sign that I want - they need to know that its real.
They need to meet these people and to see that they look just like you and me but it's important that they know how talented the deaf community is.
Nats of play
REPORTER:
And at the end - a sign of silent praise that's just as effective as thunderous
Applause.