“The term is abhorrent and should never be used. The fact that we are talking about this during a very important moment in American history has upset me deeply,” Matlin said in a statement on Friday.
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Three staffers on the reality TV show, who requested anonymity due to non-disclosure agreements, told the Daily Beast that Trump often treated Matlin with disrespect and called her “retarded,” both behind her back and in front of her. A former Apprentice contestant also told People that Trump made sexual comments to Matlin and other women on the show.
“I am Deaf. There are millions of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people like me, in the United States and around the world who face discrimination and misunderstanding like this on a daily basis. It is unacceptable,” said Matlin, who has indicated her support for Hillary Clinton throughout the campaign.
“As a person who is Deaf, as a woman, as a mom, as a wife, as an actor, I have a voice. And I’m using that voice to make myself heard… and vote.”
Deaf News: Troupe seeks to collaborate with the Iowa Deaf community to create authentic portrayals.
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA -- The Gazette: The Deaf Community has spoken, and Theatre Cedar Rapids has listened.
The community theater is postponing its production of “Tribes,” after two weeks of rehearsals and protests over casting hearing actors in the roles of two Deaf characters.
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, Leslie Charipar, the theater’s artistic director said: “In light of conversation among and feedback from the Deaf community and after a great deal of conversation and soul-searching with TCR staff, Tribes director David Schneider, and the cast of Tribes, TCR has decided to postpone our production of Tribes until we can gain the support of the Deaf community and collaborate with them in finding Deaf actors to play the Deaf roles as well as ensure that we are portraying the Deaf experience in an authentic and respectful way.”
New production dates haven’t been chosen yet.
“It might be possible that it’s next year,” said Casey Prince, TCR’s executive director. “What we’re most excited about is quickly getting people plugged into the production.”
TCR will contact ticketholders; information also is posted on the theater’s website.
Those options could include workshops to promote education and understanding between the Hearing and Deaf communities, from sign language and culture to theater studies.
“This postponement is our sincere and earnest way to meet our mission of serving the entire community and specifically to do right by the Deaf community as we share their stories in an authentic and collaborative way,” Charipar said.
The message spread on social media as swiftly as the protests posted the past two weeks.
“WOW! Thank you, TCR for listening to the Deaf community,” wrote Carly Armour of Iowa City, who helped initiate the early discussions on Facebook and spoke passionately - using American Sign Language and her voice - during a public forum Tuesday afternoon in Cedar Rapids. “This decision will not only bridge the gap between the theater and Deaf communities but also create a STRONG partnership for years to come. Thank you to our community - Deaf and Hearing allies - for coming together to make this change!”
“We will work together to help and heal,” wrote Robert Vizzini of Cedar Rapids, chairman of the Cedar Rapids Association of the Deaf, reiterating what he said at the forum.
Prince, who attended that event, made good on his promise to take their comments back to his team, continuing a discussion already underway at the theater.
“We’ll regroup,” he said, “(and) get feedback from those who want to participate going forward.”
The cast’s reaction was “very emotional,” he said. “They were very invested in the piece for their own personal reasons. The story, the material really resonated with them. In light of the public nature of this conversation that’s been playing out, they connected with each other over a short two weeks in a way that some casts never do over multiple months. I’m certainly sad for those who are sad, but I’m very happy that they found each other and grew through the material with the limited time that they did.”
“I hope this proves to you that we were listening and silently observing,” cast member Mindy Oberreuter said via Facebook, where much of the controversy played out. “I truly hope both sides can move forward in collaboration. The very heart of theater is telling a story, and we want to tell it honestly and correctly. We all love theater that is why we are a part of this group. ... I wish you all could have seen our rehearsal on Monday night. I don’t know if the universe was telling us something, but it was beautiful. We rehearsed the second act and if you are familiar with the show’s end, you know how emotional and raw it is. It ends with love and tears and hugs.”
VIDEO [CC] - Exclusive Interview: Lyric Theatre's "Fiddler on the Roof" Incorporates American Sign Language, Deaf and Hearing Actors.
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Over half a century after its premiere on Broadway, the songs of Fiddler on the Roof are known around the world. From joyous “If I Were a Rich Man” to haunting “Sunrise, Sunset,” the musical focuses on the story of a Jewish milkman and his family’s troubles in rural Russia at the turn of the 20th century.
While the show certainly has its lighthearted moments, Fiddler on the Roof is, at its core, about the importance of family and tradition and the tensions surrounding them.
That is something Michael Baron could relate to when he took on directing duties for Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s production of the musical, which runs July 26-30 at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave.
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“As a Jewish musical theater director, Fiddler on the Roof has always been high on my bucket list of shows to direct,” Baron said. “It’s a show I’ve seen countless times and whose music has been played at almost every Jewish wedding and bar mitzvah I’ve attended, including my own.”
That notability can be seen as both a benefit and a detriment. At this point, Fiddler on the Roof is essentially synonymous with musical theater.
Between being one of the most-performed high school musicals and having multiple Broadway productions and a film adaptation, Fiddler has become difficult to ignore.
For this reason, audiences have likely seen it in one form or another, making it continuously harder to make the material fresh again.
But in an interesting twist, Lyric Theatre’s version incorporates American Sign Language and two Deaf actors portray love-struck characters Hodel and Perchik.
Two interpreters will be incorporated onstage to fully communicate to Deaf viewers.
New opportunities: Baron planned on utilizing the performers after discussing it with a friend, Deaf actor Christopher Tester.
After brainstorming how it might be possible and what Lyric would need to provide to make it happen, Baron said it seemed like a wonderful opportunity to showcase an underrepresented community.
“Our goal is to create a new village for Fiddler that is accessible to both hearing and Deaf patrons,” he said. “I hope this collaboration reveals new insights by bringing hearing and Deaf actors to the Lyric stage for the first time.”
And it certainly helps when performers are as passionate and talented as Sandra Mae Frank.
“I didn’t want to be an actress at first because it’s already tough enough to be an actor alone, but to be a Deaf actress?” she said. “I just did it anyway by taking the risk and moving forward with theater because I eat, breathe and dream it. It’s my life. It’s who I am.”
Frank, who became Deaf due to an unknown cause at the age of 3, doesn’t want to work in theater simply because it’s her passion.
She also wants to use it as a tool for educating others.
“Everyone has their own struggles in their own ways, but for me, as a Deaf actress, I also have to be an advocate and teach others about my culture,” she said.
Frank uses ASL as her main form of communication, which comes with its own set of challenges.
“It gets hard once in a while being vulnerable and bringing my culture to the public, but it’s also very beautiful letting my culture be a part of the story,” she said. “And depending on what the context is about, it brings more depth to a story by adding a different perspective from a Deaf character than how it’d usually be done if performed by a hearing actor.”
Frank certainly thinks the addition of ASL to the story of Fiddler on the Roof makes perfect sense.
In the musical, Hodel is the intelligent and free-spirited 17-year-old daughter of main character Tevye.
Over the course of the story, she falls in love with Perchik, a scholar and Bolshevik revolutionary who is exiled to Siberia.
“I love that Hodel and Perchik are Deaf, and it makes total sense,” Frank said. “Hodel resisted Perchik at first because of tradition, but to me, adding the deafness to the character gives it more purpose. She’s so hesitant, but she sees this handsome, deaf stranger, and it stirs up these feelings.”
Elaborate plans: With only two weeks from the beginning of rehearsals to opening night, Lyric Theatre hopes to put on one of the biggest and most ambitious productions of Fiddler on the Roof.
Its actors and production staff have certainly put in the work. Baron notes the planning for the show started nearly a year in advance, coordinating everything from casting across the nation to meetings with the choreographer and music director.
“The process to create this show has many facets,” he said. “From collaborating with scenic, costume, lighting, props and sound designers to create a wholly original production based on Jewish folk art built here in Oklahoma, consulting experts like Rabbi Vered Harris of Temple B’nai Israel, and so much more.”
But even with flashy musical numbers and elaborate sets, Frank and Baron agree the heart of the show lies in the more restrained and emotional moments.
“Fiddler is about the sometimes difficult balance between tradition, religion and family, which is always something audiences can relate to,” Baron said. “The fact that it uses such moving music that evokes emotion from the actors and audience makes it a special evening of theater always worth revisiting.”
Frank echoed that sentiment and said she hopes audiences leave the show filled with a new appreciation for the musical.
“I hope they feel a sense of joy and that no matter where you are in life or what defines you, family is where your home is and where you’ll find love,” she said.
Fiddler on the Roof
7:30 p.m. Tuesday-July 28, 8 p.m. July 20, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. July 30
VIDEO: #DeafTalent - Deaf Man's American Sign Language Storytelling 'Fish'
A Deaf man, Dack Virnig has an amazing talent with the American Sign Language (ASL) storytelling "Fish" ...Be sure to watch the video and experience it yourself.
To book a live performance from Dack, please contact Jacob Salem at manager@dackcube.com. Alternatively, fill out the form on www.dackvirnig.com/say-hello and a representative will contact you within 48 business hours.
Founded in 2015, DackCube Entertainment is a Deaf-owned business whose mission is to entertain and engage audiences of all ages through our top-notch performances combined with outstanding content and plots laden with twists and turns. Our commitment is to deliver more than just a satisfactory experience a powerful impact that will blossom and enrich people’s love for American Sign Language.
The cast are: Matt Kirby, Deepa Shastri, Ben Green and Chloe Gilgallon. Crew: Ted Evans (Camera), Stephen Collins (2nd Camera), Alan O'Duffy (Sound). Creative Adviser: Caglar Kimyoncu.
Watch more of the comedies and dramas Charlie have created, including Coming Out, Hands Solo and Four Deaf Yorkshiremen here: http://charlieswinbourne.com/films/.
VIDEO [CC] - The film projects 'Seen & Heard' campaign video on Vimeo.
MONTREAL - We've launched an Indiegogo campaign for this new documentary (currently in production) that shines a spotlight on Deaf and Hard of Hearing actors in a unique hearing/ Deaf collaboration.
Seen and Heard is an entertaining and eye-opening documentary, currently in production, that takes viewers backstage and into the lives and challenges of a unique mixed Deaf and hearing theatre group mounting a big new performance!
Seen and Heard is a new thought-provoking documentary currently being filmed following the backstage and performance exploits of a unique Canadian amateur theatre group where Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing cast and crew members collaborate.
We document the members of Seeing Voices Montreal as they rehearse and then perform a Deaf-themed version of The Little Mermaid. In this retelling, Ariel, a Deaf mermaid from the undersea world of Atlantis falls in love with a man from the land-based hearing world against her father’s wishes. Read more: https://indiegogo.com/projects/seen-heard#/story
VIDEO [CC] - Viola Rose Muir: Deaf actors in Hollywood that choose not to or can't speak?
A summary about Viola Rose Muir experience in NYC acting class with 2 of 3 agents expecting her to speak. Quotes: "You know, in Hollywood, the hearing folks, I mean, many Deaf actors can talk, and to receive that feedback was not surprising. Then the casting director said, "Make sure you send these agents a thank you card." I had a thought so I raised my hand to ask Paul a question, "In that thank you card, I wanted to put in the word, 'Audism'."
He was intrigued and asked what it was and I explained that, "Audism is a form of oppression, 'you can speak, you must speak, you must hear, the expectation of Deaf/HOH having to act like a hearing person, oppressing us by thinking that hearing people are better than Deaf or Hard of hearing people, that kind of attitude or way of thinking."
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Paul was cautious and said, "Make sure you don't sound so defensive but you can talk and use it as your marketability skill." I said, "I know, right-right, that's fine, sure, but what about those Deaf people who can't talk at all and they want to get into Hollywood and to be in movies. That's not fair. Saying, "Lines are supposed to be spoken", that's not reality, that's not our world today, our world is so diverse, we have different and all kinds of people, they can't just limit by saying, "You must speak only.", that's not realistic.... Read more: Transcript Cont'd
VIDEO [CC] - #DeafTalent - Hollywood, stop hiring hearing actors for Deaf roles. Deaf people have the right to represent themselves!
As a result of this #DeafTalent campaign, the world will have a much better understanding of the Deaf community’s standpoint on not allowing Deaf roles to be given out to hearing people. Many people do not realize that they have been oppressing Deaf actors for many years now.
We hope that this new awareness will also create many more job opportunities for Deaf people all over, both in front and behind the camera, as well as other places. We believe that this campaign will ignite many new discussions and ideas and help cause a shift in societal awareness. To activate this feature, press the "CC" button.
Huffington Post - The #DeafTalent hashtag began making waves after a NY Daily News interview with Catalina Sandino Moreno raised red flags in the Deaf community. Moreno, a hearing actress, was cast to play a Deaf woman in the leading role of her new film Medeas. But in the NYDN interview, it became clear that Moreno has had very little exposure to deafness or Deaf culture.
Over the past couple weeks, the #DeafTalent movement spread like wildfire across social media. Using this hashtag, members of the Deaf community publicly spoke out against the cultural appropriation of deafness in movies and TV. With so many talented Deaf/HoH performer working to catch their big break in Hollywood, it is inexcusable that hearing actors and actresses continue being cast for these roles.
Deaf parts belong to Deaf performers - people who understand the experience of hearing loss and can accurately portray Deaf characters. Just as blackface is not an acceptable way to depict a black character, having a non-Deaf actor pretend to be Deaf is irresponsible, unethical, and offensive... Read more: huffingtonpost.com/lydia-l-callis/lets-see-more-deaftalent-html
VIDEO [CC] - The Deaf Culture webisode series in ASL.
The video producer by Guthrie Nutter also known as American Sign Language educator, actor, tornado chasing and climbing the mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
A top 5 introduction to Deaf Culture webisode the educational comedy ASL versions, Guthrie shared on YouTube social networking for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. All Deaf culture webisode with captioning has been enabled for all audiences to activate this feature, press the "CC" button on the lower right.
Deaf Culture Webisode Teaser - A top 5 introduction to Deaf culture teaser.
Deaf Culture Webisode #1 - Things that hearing people do to Deaf...
Deaf Culture Webisode #2 - Common myths about Deaf people.
VIDEO [ASL/CC] - A groundbreaking silent film, "Universal Signs" to touch the hearts and minds of Deaf and Hearing audiences alike.
Universal Signs is a modern American Sign Language (ASL) film from 2008. After the death of his fiancee’s daughter on his watch, Andrew d’Anjou (Anthony Natale, Mr. Holland’s Opus) a Deaf computer technician/artist, becomes a prisoner of his own mind.
Tormented day and night by his memories and self-blame, Andrew follows a downward spiral of depression and anger that alienates everyone around him.
It is only through a serendipitous friendship with Mary (Sabrina Lloyd, Sports Night), the new university librarian, that Andrew is able to forgive himself, rediscover his muse and again experience the transformative power of love.
Anthony Natale on the Universal Signs ASL film - A sample clip from the special features section of the Universal Signs, Anthony Natale comments on using American Sign Language in film.
VIDEO [CC] - Scenes and interviews from the production of 'Lake Windfall'
Come to 'Lake Windfall' Red Carpet Tour to visit actors and crew members as they tell their stories about their experiences while making 'Lake Windfall', If you think you know this story, think again. It is a never-heard of, mind-blowing, thriller film that will make you think hard and look at things differently.
Lake Windfall (Official Trailer HD)
Matt (Christopher B. Corrigan) gets his brother, Drew (Alex Laferriere), along with their friends, together for a fun getaway camping trip. It is supposed to be a weekend of male-bonding, but everything isn't what it seems. Suddenly, they experience an apocalyptic event and are forced to focus on their own survival.
Directed by Roger Vass, Jr., from a script written by Tony Nitko and Roger Vass Jr.
Starring: Christopher B. Corrigan, Timothy Dillard, Jasun Hicks, Alexander Laferriere, J. William Sanders.
VIDEO: TMZ - Exclusive Interview with John Maucere of Super Bowl XLVII National Anthem. Super Bowl 2013 Sign Language Guy - I Got Hand Insurance.
LOS ANGELES - John Maucere tells TMZ, his hands are just like Dolly Parton's boobs ... Jennifer Lopez's butt ... or Tom Jones' chest hair, so valuable they need their own freakin' insurance policy but there's a lot more to sign language than just hands.
John raised his hands, joking, "I have insurance." He added, "Hands are important, but you should know American Sign Language isn't specific just for hands.
NEW YORK CITY -- TIME: "The term is abhorrent and should never be used"
