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Deaf West Theatre was established in March
of 1991 as the first professional resident Sign Language
Theatre west of the Mississippi. DWT productions have featured
multi-award winning artists and have earned over 60 prestigious
entertainment industry awards for artistic and technical
merit. Our theatre is located in the North Hollywood Theatre
and Arts District and is a cultural home for the deaf & hard
of hearing community.
As the first professional
permanent residential sign language theatre west of the Mississippi,
Deaf West Theatre draws
audiences from the western region of the United States, and
deaf artists from all across country and around the world.
Deaf West Theatre serves a culturally diverse community of
deaf, hard of hearing and hearing adults, children and seniors.
Audiences consist of a broad base of children, adults and
seniors.
MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS
Productions consist of up to three presentations
each season. Past productions have featured classics, adaptations
and
original works. Experienced and professional deaf, hard of
hearing and hearing actors, directors, designers and technicians
comprise the casts, artistic teams and crews. Sets, lighting
and costume designs exhibit a high standard of excellence,
as the visual element of Sign Language Theater demands utmost
attention to visual aesthetic values.
NATIONAL TOURING
Deaf West Theatre is currently expanding
its presence to reach national audiences via touring. The
multi-award winning
musical BIG RIVER The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn following
its successful run on Broadway, began its national/international
tour in June 2004 at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco, CA.
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH
ASL
Story Time shares the art of storytelling
with deaf and hard of hearing children, as well as ASL Students
of all ages.
In-School
Workshops for deaf and hard
of hearing children throughout Southern California culminating
in a performance for fellow
students, faculty, friends and families.
Professional
Summer School for Actors, first
of its kind in the nation, provides training for deaf and
hard of hearing acting students every summer. The workshops
address the specific needs of deaf and hard of hearing artists
in theatre arts toward the goal of attaining employment in
the entertainment industry.
ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS
Under the leadership of
Founding Artistic Director, Ed Waterstreet,
DWT engages deaf, hard of hearing and hearing
actors, designers, technicians, instructors,
and staff. DWT has a 12-member Board of
Directors, full time staff, part time staff
and over 50 volunteers. Artists are contracted
each season under the Actor's Equity Association
Los Angeles 99-seat waiver plan and Theatre
for Young Audiences.
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