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Star*Telegram News.com
Posted on Thu, Oct. 20, 2005
Moved to make an impression
The school drama Sweet Nothing in My Ear involves the controversial use of cochlear implants.
By Terry Webster
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS - The challenge facing Richland High School theater students goes beyond words.
Tonight, students are tackling Sweet Nothing in My Ear, a drama about parents debating whether their deaf 6-year-old son should receive cochlear implants that would help him hear.
Every speaking actor in the play is shadowed by a sign-language actor.
"It's unique in that the actors and sign actors represent one person," said theater teacher Melanie Winegart.
The topic is controversial because some deaf people strongly oppose the implants, teachers and students said.
"The deaf community doesn't necessarily like it. They do not see themselves as a disabled group," said Sammie Sheppard, an American sign language teacher at Richland High. "They see themselves as a cultural and linguistic minority."
In contrast, doctors believe that the implants should be an option for deaf people, Sheppard said.
Using sign language makes the play tricky.
Each acting team must seamlessly portray the same character, coordinating facial expressions and sign language with the spoken word.
The cast learned sign language in about seven weeks.
Students quickly found that it's difficult to cover minor mistakes in sign language, unlike spoken dialogue. A sleight of hand can signal nonsense to a person adept at sign language.
"There's no way to improvise," said senior Cameron Kirkpatrick, 17.
Every movement and facial expression must be perfect.
"With acting, you always use facial expressions, but with signing it's even more expressive," said Jordan Ford, 17, a senior who provides the sign-language alter ego to Kirkpatrick's character. "Some of it comes naturally, and the teachers help us with some of it."
About two-thirds of sign-language communication is based on facial expression and body movement, said senior Krinda Wernicke, 17.
That's because deaf people do not use voice inflection to express emotions, students said.
"Deaf people think we don't show as much emotion when we're talking," Wernicke said.
During a recent rehearsal, students were simultaneously coached by theater teachers and Sheppard.
Their critiques were direct:
"Your arms are too loose, they're flapping around."
"Don't clench your hands."
Why would high school students and teachers take on this project?
Winegart said she wanted students to perform a play that would make an impression.
"As we got more and more into the play, we realized how many misunderstandings there are about the deaf culture," Winegart said. "We thought it was a good way to educate people."
Classmates, teachers, parents and the community will be watching.
That includes members of the deaf community who were invited.
www.birdville.k12.tx.us
PHOTO: Ben Lindley, Krinda Wernicke, center, and Amber Swartz rehearse. STAR-TELEGRAM/KELLEY CHINN
IN THE KNOW
Sweet Nothing in My Ear
Richland High students perform in sign language and spoken English.
Performances: 7 p.m. Oct. 20 through Oct. 22
Star*Telegram News.com
Posted on Thu, Oct. 20, 2005
Moved to make an impression
The school drama Sweet Nothing in My Ear involves the controversial use of cochlear implants.
By Terry Webster
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS - The challenge facing Richland High School theater students goes beyond words.
Tonight, students are tackling Sweet Nothing in My Ear, a drama about parents debating whether their deaf 6-year-old son should receive cochlear implants that would help him hear.
Every speaking actor in the play is shadowed by a sign-language actor.
"It's unique in that the actors and sign actors represent one person," said theater teacher Melanie Winegart.
The topic is controversial because some deaf people strongly oppose the implants, teachers and students said.
"The deaf community doesn't necessarily like it. They do not see themselves as a disabled group," said Sammie Sheppard, an American sign language teacher at Richland High. "They see themselves as a cultural and linguistic minority."
In contrast, doctors believe that the implants should be an option for deaf people, Sheppard said.
Using sign language makes the play tricky.
Each acting team must seamlessly portray the same character, coordinating facial expressions and sign language with the spoken word.
The cast learned sign language in about seven weeks.
Students quickly found that it's difficult to cover minor mistakes in sign language, unlike spoken dialogue. A sleight of hand can signal nonsense to a person adept at sign language.
"There's no way to improvise," said senior Cameron Kirkpatrick, 17.
Every movement and facial expression must be perfect.
"With acting, you always use facial expressions, but with signing it's even more expressive," said Jordan Ford, 17, a senior who provides the sign-language alter ego to Kirkpatrick's character. "Some of it comes naturally, and the teachers help us with some of it."
About two-thirds of sign-language communication is based on facial expression and body movement, said senior Krinda Wernicke, 17.
That's because deaf people do not use voice inflection to express emotions, students said.
"Deaf people think we don't show as much emotion when we're talking," Wernicke said.
During a recent rehearsal, students were simultaneously coached by theater teachers and Sheppard.
Their critiques were direct:
"Your arms are too loose, they're flapping around."
"Don't clench your hands."
Why would high school students and teachers take on this project?
Winegart said she wanted students to perform a play that would make an impression.
"As we got more and more into the play, we realized how many misunderstandings there are about the deaf culture," Winegart said. "We thought it was a good way to educate people."
Classmates, teachers, parents and the community will be watching.
That includes members of the deaf community who were invited.
www.birdville.k12.tx.us
PHOTO: Ben Lindley, Krinda Wernicke, center, and Amber Swartz rehearse. STAR-TELEGRAM/KELLEY CHINN
IN THE KNOW
Sweet Nothing in My Ear
Richland High students perform in sign language and spoken English.
Performances: 7 p.m. Oct. 20 through Oct. 22
