JONESBOROUGH REPERTORY THEATRE

 

Ashley Reuss (Sign Duke), Pollie Griffin (voice Duke), Squibb and Harmon.
(Tony Duncan / Johnson City Press)

 

When the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre opens "The Firebird" today, it’ll be an unusual production. The play, based on a Russian folk tale, will not only have sign language interpreters as part of the production, it’ll have them on stage as part of the cast — serving as "shadow" interpreters.

"We’re not calling them just interpreters, because they’ll be acting," director Janette Gaines said. "We essentially have two casts."

The play will be told simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English. The shadow interpreters will not be standing in front of or to the side of the stage, but instead will be acting on stage, right next to the spoken-word actors doing the same character — thus, two of every character on stage.

It creates an interesting dynamic for everyone, but it also enables the hearing impaired to fully enjoy the play.

"I have two daughters who are hearing impaired and they also love theater," Gaines said. "They’ve watched plays and been on stage, and going to shows that are interpreted, you have to divide your attention between interpreters on the floor, who are fascinating themselves, and the actors on stage. They miss a lot; they miss punchlines, jokes, action.

"Particularly with comedies, the hearing audience is laughing at a joke, and the hearing impaired are watching the interpreter and getting a delayed reaction."

Showtimes today through Saturday are 6 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. The play will also be performed Oct. 9-11 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. Even though this weekend’s run coincides with the National Storytelling Festival, that’s appropriate, Gaines said.

"Storytelling is a huge part of deaf culture. The deaf are wonderful storytellers. A lot of times they can tell stories to someone who doesn’t know sign language and they’ll get it. They create pictures with their hands, their expressions, their body.

"And ‘Firebird’ is storytelling theater, based on Russian folk tale, and it lends itself to sign language and storytelling."

"The Firebird," written by Evan Guilford-Blake, follows the magical adventures of a young man who learns the power of communication and the obstacles language can present. It shows the audience the importance of different types of language in communication. On a journey to find truthfulness and goodness through the Land of Never, the play overcomes many obstacles, including communication barriers.

The speaking cast includes Melissa Keith, Pollie Griffin, Holly Bible, Colin Jeffress, Kathleen King, Sharon Squibb and Christina Fulcher. The signing cast includes Patty Harmon, Karisha "Cissy" Little, Ashley Reuss, Carol Mohler, Shelby Edwards, M.J. Light and Crystal Piver.

The cast has been creative and cooperative, Gaines said, working to overcome obstacles created by the language barrier. It’s been a good experience, and creates a pairing that makes sense.

"American Sign Language is so closely related to theater because it’s so visual," Gaines said. "It relies on facial expression and body language. Most interpreters for the deaf have a natural ability to be good actors. They just look good on stage. A lot of hearing people end up watching the interpreters at plays."

Gaines learned ASL as a foreign language in college, was an interpreter for the Washington County School System and taught ASL classes in the community. Four years ago she got involved with Jonesborough Repertory Theatre, teaching, acting and directing. She directed a play involving interpreters, "Aesop’s Fables," with a three-member cast from her ongoing Stage Hands theater group that did three performances.

Article courtesy of johnsoncitypress.com