Monday, October 03, 2016
Talk Less, Sign More
OnStage: Cast members from Hamilton and New York Deaf Theatre joined forces to produce an accessible version of “Cabinet Battle #2” from the hit musical. While this is not the first time #ham4ham has used sign language (looking at you Andy Mientus and Krysta Rodriguez) this is the most ambitious project showing #DeafTalent.
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I'm always glad that people are willing to discuss the problem of handicapped representation in theatre, but I think Hamilton needs to go a bit farther than just showing one number off. Such a large and important show can change the face of theatre by being more inclusive to the handicapped, so I wonder about the possibility of a completely signed performance. Naturally, this would require hundreds of hours of rehearsal, and I'm also sure the deaf community is fine with the ASL interpretations that I'm sure the company has done, but I still wish for more. Talent is a universal idea, regardless of what handicaps you may or may not have, and utilizing everything that you have to the best of your ability is all an artist can aspire to do. We, as a community, have to be more diligent in allowing those stories to be told, but at the end of the day, any forward motion is good. They also bring up a controversial production of Tribes that didn't have a completely deaf cast. Now, I think there's a difference between doing sign language and having a completely deaf cast, as I believe that there are some scenarios where if you are the best actor for the role, it shouldn't matter if you fit every facet of that role, but when there is such a thriving community of deaf artists, it seems like by not being inclusive to the artists, you're being divisive just for the sake of it.
I haven’t kept up with all the #ham4ham videos but I am appreciative that they do this for the community. It is a great way to bring other artists to do special things as well as bring up great real world situations and problems. It’s a brilliant tactic for marketing and bringing more and more people to the show because they see it’s everywhere and so relatable that people will do anything for tickets. Even this account of bringing in some New York Deaf Theatre actors is a great moment for the deaf community to feel included and appreciated. I always love to see these type of shows where things are done differently but still have a great impact on the audience and those around them. Also the idea to have any race and gender play these parts is wonderful as well. It gets rid of the idea that history is stuck in the same white frame but rather what history really is and what it meant for our country.
Well I had no idea that the New York Deaf Theater was even a thing, so I have to do some more research on it and look in to going to see some shows when I am home on break. It is always very exciting to me when people want to share what makes them different with their community and attempt to expand who is in the community entirely. The past few years there has been a huge surge in theater for the handicapped and the Deaf community has spearheaded that. While I can't understand what it is to be in that community I imagine it was a huge triumph for them. I am also extremely proud of what Hamilton has done, and I assume will continue to do with their platform. Lin Manual Miranda and his collaborators understand that they have been presented with a very unique opportunity in theater that they can speak to so many people, the whole world is watching them. The Ham4ham's have millions of views on youtube and they have done an incredible job at giving a voice to those who don't have it through theirs. Too often we see people so happy about their own success they don't take time to help others, and the creators and leaders of Hamilton are consistently doing the opposite. They are leaders in our field, artistically and morally.
The first things that come to mind for me when I think of accessible entertainment for the Deaf community are the TV shows that I used to watch as a kid. Every show on the children's BBC channel would have a version at a certain time that had a sign language translator in a box on the bottom right of the screen. However, these translators were always very stiff and kept their faces relatively neutral. That was always the image of accessible entertainment that I held in my head, but it could be further from the truth in this video. These actresses are so dynamic and expressive in their actions, which really helps to add another layer of storytelling to the performance. Pieces like this are so crucial to increasing the theatre industry's accessibility and inclusiveness. Deaf West's production of Spring Awakening was truly a game changer in exposing the general public to Deaf talent, and now that Hamilton has released this even more people will see it. I would love to see a production by New York Deaf Theater, and I'm sure that after watching this video others will feel the same way.
If I had seen this video two weeks ago I would have appreciated it anyway because I think sign language is beautiful and I love watching performances where it is integrated, but it is especially interesting to me right now because I recently started actually trying to learn sign language rather just talking about doing so. Last year I remember Lucy taking an ASL class where one of the devices they used for teaching was making the students translate songs into ASL. I think song lyrics are a great way for teaching new languages because we memorize song lyrics so effortlessly that they become a part of us. The kinds of music you listen to and love are a huge part of your identity. Therefore translating songs becomes less about memorizing vocabulary and more about learning to express this thing that you know not only in your mind because in your heart as well in a different way. Learning a new language can be as effortless as singing along to your favorite song on the radio.
It is so great to see a show as enormous as Hamilton recognizing deaf talent, specifically deaf talent in theatre. This is espeically interesting for me to see right now, as a lot of my classmates are making an effort to learn ASL, or at least become somewhat familiar with it. I think Hamilton is making great steps for deaf theatre by featuring this on HAM4HAM, but I think they could take it even further. At Paper Mill Playhouse, and probably a lot of other places, each show in the seasons has one or two performances that are advertised as deaf-friendly, as there are multiple signers throughout the house that sign along with the show. I saw one of these shows by accident once, when I saw Thoroughly Modern Millie at PMP, and it was really incredible to see the signers keep up with the dialogue and lyrics. If Hamilton did something similar, I think it would be a really good step toward advancing deaf theatre and availability of theatre to deaf audiences. Hamilton is probably something that would be very difficult to sign to, considering the amount of slang and sheer amount of words in the show (imagine someone signing Guns and Ships), but I think it would really be incredible to see.
I have been proudly following the #hamforham video series since last year. This particular video is by far one of my favorites. 2016 theatre is innovative and is redefining the typical performer experience. Both Hamilton and Spring Awakening (revival) have set precedents and have called for more inclusivity in the professional theatre scene. Too often do we see broadway shows with little-to no diversity. This video for many audiences is the first exposure they'll get ASL in theatre. I hope that more productions follow their footsteps and raise awareness about the lack of diversity on the great white way.
That video was incredible! It is so cool and interesting to see something like Hamilton in the form of sign language. It is hard to say the words in the rap out loud that fast so I was very interested to see how a person was going to be able to sign that fast without getting behind on the beat. The signing was almost more interesting to watch than listening to the rap itself because it looked like a form of interpretive dance and movement and you could feel the emotions of the actors more when they were using their body to tell the story instead of their tone of voice with the words. I really appreciate that people with disabilities are getting more recognition and are being able to be in more public pieces for a large audience to see. I would really like to see all of Hamilton in sign language one day, which I’m sure is a project that other people have already thought about doing.
I do not know if it is just because I recently worked on a production of Tribes, a play largely about people who are deaf and hard of hearing or because there is a growing exposure to the community and disability that I have become more aware of the disability and ASL. Either way, it is really cool to see so much incorporation of ASL into theater. Deaf West Theater produced spring awakening and now we see other theater troups and companies coming onto the scene. I hope that this video grows to something bigger and maybe Hamilton is produced at some point down the road in ASL. I think there is a lot of potential for ASL in theater. It is such an emotional and visually compelling language that I think it fits perfectly into live theater. Especially with a show like Hamilton which celebrates diversity and equality, I can see ASL having a huge impact.
Another week, another article on disability inclusion in theater. I am, as always, ecstatic that disabilities are finally being included and thought of in the entertainment industry. Our industry is incredibly closed off to minorities, and Hamilton has changed so much and, if they include ASL or partner with the New York Deaf Theater, they have the ability to change even more. To respond to and add on to other comment writers, ASL is an incredibly visual language that expresses deep emotion and drama incredibly well. If you think that there is significant potential for ASL in theater, or are intrigued by the speed and beauty of this communication form, I highly suggest taking a few classes and starting to learn conversational ASL. I believe CMU actually offers a class. ASL can open a window to a world that, as hearing people, we rarely reach out to communicate with. ASL is used not only by Deaf and Hard of Hearing people, but it is often used as a communication tool for people who are non-verbal. The more people who you can talk to or can tell a story to, the more insights and opinions you will gain about the world around you. ASL can only make theater a more accessible place and make you a better and more educated person.
I am so happy that this subject of not only deaf culture but also disability inclusion in theatre has been a reoccurring theme among comments in the past couple of weeks. As a part of the deaf/ hard of hearing community I am extremely happy that there has been more and more publicity covering the New York Deaf Theatre and their goal to make theatre accessible to everyone. It is so important that theatre be all-inclusive because for a lot of people, the theatre is where you go to get away from the stresses of lie for a while. I know that was what I did when I was first introduced to theatre. I agree strongly with Lauren. If you are at all interested in the introduction of ASL in theatre- or are interested in working in theatre later in life, I would take up a class to start learning conversational ASL because it looks to be extremely popular in the future of theatre.
It is so incredibly important to make sure everyone can feel involved in theatre, and I believe Deaf West does just that. It gives the deaf population a chance to perform alongside hearing actors like nothing is wrong. I have worked with non-hearing people before and it is very hard for them to feel as though they belong, because most people do not know sign language; most of the time simply aren’t willing to learn or accept it as another language just like Spanish or French. I also love that they are using Hamilton to get more people involved because Hamilton is already such a smash hit that people will watch anything having to do with it. The diversity that Hamilton already has is so amazing and it can make people look past race and realize we are just people, and the same goes for deaf culture. Once people can get past the word barriers, they are just people and Deaf West gives them the opportunity to express themselves.
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