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Sisters Katrina Fisher, 39, and Natalie McDonald, 27, have more interest than most in the success of Scotland's Deaf Youth Theatre.
Older sister Katrina is deaf and pursued a range of careers, including a stint as a model.
It was only when Natalie - 12 years her junior - began working in theatre as an interpreter that she discovered what she really wanted to do.
"I always thought theatre was a hearing thing, for hearing people," said Katrina.
"In the past I'd worked with deaf clubs.
"I'd follow the script from the page and just sign it straight but this was something really different."
The sisters began working with Solar Bear, a Glasgow-based theatre company producing work for deaf and hearing audiences.
It was a breakthrough for both of them.
Lottery Funding
Katrina no longer works from the book but develops characters onstage with other actors.
Natalie, as an interpreter, was no longer sidelined.
She said: "Usually you see an interpreter and she's dressed in black, standing at the side of the stage, communicating the action, but with this company, I became part of it.
"My signing became part of the performance."
Now, Katrina and Natalie will be involved in the development of Scotland's first deaf youth theatre.
Solar Bear was awarded £106,799 from the Big Lottery Fund to establish the theatre.
Its 10-week course caters for up to 20 deaf youngsters aged between 12 and 17 years old.
They learn everything from stagecraft and performance to the technical skills needed behind the scenes.
And they have the chance to work with professional companies, many of whom have offered specific placements.
Like the Scottish Youth Theatre - whose facilities the new deaf youth theatre will use - it is about giving access to every youngster who is interested, whether they do it for fun, for the social life or for a professional career.
"For me it's really exciting," says Katrina.
"The fact is, we're making deaf history and changing the stigmatism imposed by the hearing world.
"Young people have so much enthusiasm and being able to use that is so exciting. Today is the start of a new beginning."
The Deaf Youth Theatre workshops start on Wednesday 16 January.
Older sister Katrina is deaf and pursued a range of careers, including a stint as a model.
It was only when Natalie - 12 years her junior - began working in theatre as an interpreter that she discovered what she really wanted to do.
"I always thought theatre was a hearing thing, for hearing people," said Katrina.
"In the past I'd worked with deaf clubs.
"I'd follow the script from the page and just sign it straight but this was something really different."
The sisters began working with Solar Bear, a Glasgow-based theatre company producing work for deaf and hearing audiences.
It was a breakthrough for both of them.
Lottery Funding
Katrina no longer works from the book but develops characters onstage with other actors.
Natalie, as an interpreter, was no longer sidelined.
She said: "Usually you see an interpreter and she's dressed in black, standing at the side of the stage, communicating the action, but with this company, I became part of it.
"My signing became part of the performance."
Now, Katrina and Natalie will be involved in the development of Scotland's first deaf youth theatre.
Solar Bear was awarded £106,799 from the Big Lottery Fund to establish the theatre.
Its 10-week course caters for up to 20 deaf youngsters aged between 12 and 17 years old.
They learn everything from stagecraft and performance to the technical skills needed behind the scenes.
And they have the chance to work with professional companies, many of whom have offered specific placements.
Like the Scottish Youth Theatre - whose facilities the new deaf youth theatre will use - it is about giving access to every youngster who is interested, whether they do it for fun, for the social life or for a professional career.
"For me it's really exciting," says Katrina.
"The fact is, we're making deaf history and changing the stigmatism imposed by the hearing world.
"Young people have so much enthusiasm and being able to use that is so exciting. Today is the start of a new beginning."
The Deaf Youth Theatre workshops start on Wednesday 16 January.