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Suburban Journals | Entertainment | Theatre of the Deaf celebrates 30 years
St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley's Theatre of the Deaf celebrates its 30th anniversary with a production of "Barefoot in the Park."
The program began in the spring of 1978 when a young technical director at Florissant Valley, John Heidger, believed the American Sign Language he saw being used at the school could be used in the theater. Through his research, he learned of the St. Louis Deaf Theatre Guild and asked to meet with its director, Cathy Atwood. With the help of Atwood and Geneva Shearburn, instructor in deaf communication studies at Florissant Valley, a partnership was formed, and the Theatre of the Deaf came to fruition.
The group's first production, "The Man Who Laughs," played to full houses in March 1978. Encouraged by the success of the production, Heidger announced the group would perform another play, "Tartuffe," in December 1978.The program gave deaf students a chance to perform. Before, students rarely had the opportunity to attend a theatrical performance, let alone act onstage for both deaf and hearing audiences.
Deaf theater combines sign language with vocal accompaniment. The combination of gestures, signing and voice make it a unique theatrical experience.
"The actors are both deaf and hearing. They act simultaneously. The hearing actors are not interpreting - both are acting their part," said Dan Betzler, professor of drama for the deaf. "The actors work on facial expressions and body movements. ??When a deaf person is shouting in the play, the movements get bigger - more grandiose," he said.
Betzler, Lisa Gayle-Betzler, Nina Wilson and Mark Etcheler have been recurring actors and directors since the group's inception. Over the years, there have been more than 400 actors, 40 directors and 38 plays.
"I had one experience, and then I was hooked," Betzler said. "That's why I'm here teaching at Flo Valley today. I have worked with Mary Luebke, head of the deaf communication studies at Florissant Valley, for 18 years. I am very proud of what we have here."
St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley's Theatre of the Deaf celebrates its 30th anniversary with a production of "Barefoot in the Park."
The program began in the spring of 1978 when a young technical director at Florissant Valley, John Heidger, believed the American Sign Language he saw being used at the school could be used in the theater. Through his research, he learned of the St. Louis Deaf Theatre Guild and asked to meet with its director, Cathy Atwood. With the help of Atwood and Geneva Shearburn, instructor in deaf communication studies at Florissant Valley, a partnership was formed, and the Theatre of the Deaf came to fruition.
The group's first production, "The Man Who Laughs," played to full houses in March 1978. Encouraged by the success of the production, Heidger announced the group would perform another play, "Tartuffe," in December 1978.The program gave deaf students a chance to perform. Before, students rarely had the opportunity to attend a theatrical performance, let alone act onstage for both deaf and hearing audiences.
Deaf theater combines sign language with vocal accompaniment. The combination of gestures, signing and voice make it a unique theatrical experience.
"The actors are both deaf and hearing. They act simultaneously. The hearing actors are not interpreting - both are acting their part," said Dan Betzler, professor of drama for the deaf. "The actors work on facial expressions and body movements. ??When a deaf person is shouting in the play, the movements get bigger - more grandiose," he said.
Betzler, Lisa Gayle-Betzler, Nina Wilson and Mark Etcheler have been recurring actors and directors since the group's inception. Over the years, there have been more than 400 actors, 40 directors and 38 plays.
"I had one experience, and then I was hooked," Betzler said. "That's why I'm here teaching at Flo Valley today. I have worked with Mary Luebke, head of the deaf communication studies at Florissant Valley, for 18 years. I am very proud of what we have here."