Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,158
- Reaction score
- 7
Deaf woman overcomes challenges to direct holiday classic - WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville |
This story may even make Ebenezer Scrooge smile.
Every year, the New Century Community Church in Roanoke stages a production of "A Christmas Carol" full of characters at the Roanoke Civic Center, but the star of this year's show is someone of real character.
Scrooge the Musical is a holiday classic people love to see and hear.
But for the show's director that can be a challenge since she's almost completely deaf.
"I can feel that the sound is happening," says the show's director Betsy Foster.
Foster started losing her hearing at 16 and doctors don't know why.
Now, at 23, she's lost 90% of her hearing, but she can talk fine and has no trouble reading lips.
"I think Betsy has proven that she has taken what might be a difficult and devastating situation for some people and turn it into something positive," says Betsy's Dad Jim Foster.
A positive that was clear when she decided to direct this year's production.
She admits she was a little apprehensive, but her pastor encouraged her to do it.
"She's very gifted and her ability to communicate with others in despite of hearing is phenomenal," says pastor Jay Owens.
When something is out of sync her fellow cast mates will bring it to her attention and her mother is also there to sign.
Betsy has added one personal touch to the production. For the first time ever it will be geared to the hearing impaired. For Thursday night's performance there will be folks up in a balcony using sign language to tell the story.
She wants the deaf community and the public to know she's not handicapped or bitter.
"As a Christian I firmly believe my life is planned by God before I was born and this is what he called me to do," says Foster.
It's a calling that comes natural to Betsy since she majored in theatre in college.
The pastor says her contributions light up the room.
"I will go as far as to say this is the best we've ever had," says Jay Owens.
"It's been a lot of fun and I would do it again in a heartbeat," says Foster.
Many here hopes she does.
If you're interested in going, Scrooge is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night at 7:30 with an additional performance Saturday afternoon 2:30 PM at the Roanoke Civic Center.
Tickets are not required, but it's first come, first served.
This story may even make Ebenezer Scrooge smile.
Every year, the New Century Community Church in Roanoke stages a production of "A Christmas Carol" full of characters at the Roanoke Civic Center, but the star of this year's show is someone of real character.
Scrooge the Musical is a holiday classic people love to see and hear.
But for the show's director that can be a challenge since she's almost completely deaf.
"I can feel that the sound is happening," says the show's director Betsy Foster.
Foster started losing her hearing at 16 and doctors don't know why.
Now, at 23, she's lost 90% of her hearing, but she can talk fine and has no trouble reading lips.
"I think Betsy has proven that she has taken what might be a difficult and devastating situation for some people and turn it into something positive," says Betsy's Dad Jim Foster.
A positive that was clear when she decided to direct this year's production.
She admits she was a little apprehensive, but her pastor encouraged her to do it.
"She's very gifted and her ability to communicate with others in despite of hearing is phenomenal," says pastor Jay Owens.
When something is out of sync her fellow cast mates will bring it to her attention and her mother is also there to sign.
Betsy has added one personal touch to the production. For the first time ever it will be geared to the hearing impaired. For Thursday night's performance there will be folks up in a balcony using sign language to tell the story.
She wants the deaf community and the public to know she's not handicapped or bitter.
"As a Christian I firmly believe my life is planned by God before I was born and this is what he called me to do," says Foster.
It's a calling that comes natural to Betsy since she majored in theatre in college.
The pastor says her contributions light up the room.
"I will go as far as to say this is the best we've ever had," says Jay Owens.
"It's been a lot of fun and I would do it again in a heartbeat," says Foster.
Many here hopes she does.
If you're interested in going, Scrooge is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night at 7:30 with an additional performance Saturday afternoon 2:30 PM at the Roanoke Civic Center.
Tickets are not required, but it's first come, first served.