Joe Sargent (left) and Ed Waterstreet

August 23, 2010 - North Hollywood, CA

Deaf West Theatre was honored at the 8th Annual Ivy Bethune Tri-Union Diversity Awards, recognizing performers and arts organizations who, through their work and activism, have fostered diversity within the entertainment and news media industries and their communities.

As the Actors Equity Association honoree, Deaf West Theatre was selected in recognition of our work to re-conceive outdated definitions of deaf artists. Emmy award winning director and long time supporter, Joe Sargent, presented Artistic Director, Ed Waterstreet, with the award.

A short scene from our recent 30th anniversary production of Children of a Lesser God was performed by Shoshannah Stern and Matthew Jaeger (who originated the roles of Sarah and James, respectively, in that 2009 production). Other honorees included actor and artist CCH Pounder, actor and activist Kal Penn and writer/producer Yvette Lee Bowser.

The awards were presented at the Colony Theatre in Burbank, CA.