When my wife, Linda Bove, and I arrived in Los Angeles nearly 20 years ago, we were amazed to find that the City of Los Angeles was so lacking in cultural opportunities for the 1.2 million deaf and hard of hearing individuals residing in the area. Having toured with the National Theatre of the Deaf for 12 years prior, the idea of establishing a permanent, resident Sign Language Theatre company on the West Coast was a dream that ultimately came to fruition in 1991.

Beginning with only one chair, one desk and a typewriter in an office space shared with and donated by the Fountain Theatre in Hollywood, the growing deaf artistic talent pool came together and Deaf West Theatre was born.

Major funding provided by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services afforded Deaf West the opportunity to establish an annual season of productions. In response to the expressed needs of the community, Deaf West's activities quickly expanded to include Educational Outreach Workshops in schools (K-12).

With the help of generous donations by the Weingart Foundation and The S. Mark Taper Foundation, Deaf West Theatre currently occupies its own theater space in the burgeoning North Hollywood Theatre and Arts District of Los Angeles.

In 2000, Deaf West Theatre received a new five-year grant award from the Department of Education. This mandate includes the development and production of plays, a professional training program for deaf and hard of hearing artists, and a national touring initiative.

Having successfully produced 12 award winning seasons, Deaf West Theatre continues to strive toward its goal of providing an exhilarating theatrical experience for all audiences, regardless of hearing or signing ability.

Our productions are presented in both American Sign Language and spoken English. Our deaf audiences can have the pleasure of watching the story unfold in our native American Sign Language. Our hearing audiences not only have the customary auditory experience, but they can now enjoy the visual expressiveness of American Sign Language.

I hope you enjoy our productions!

Best regards,

Artistic Director/ CEO