2007 Donna Kachites-McCallum Interview
Channel: RIT Libraries
Date: 2019-03-26

Summary by Joan Naturale. 2007 Interview of Donna Kachites-McCallum. This video is from the Miriam and Kenny Lerner collection. Kachites-McCallum is interviewed by Miriam Lerner.  Donna Kachites-McCallum, a former NTID interpreting student shares the story of how she got involved with ASL poetry, particularly interpreting for ASL poet Debbie Rennie. She discusses the ASL poetry movement in Rochester and key people who were involved such as hearing poets Jim Cohn and Todd Beers whom she interpreted for at poetry readings in Rochester. The process of interpreting for these poets was complex and she describes how would prepare for these readings and performances. She also reflects upon the Allen Ginsberg visit and Patrick Graybill’s translation of ‘hydrogen jukebox’ which was like a poem in itself. In addition, she gives a history of the troupe, ‘Bridge Of’….comprised of five Deaf and hearing members: Peter Cook, Donna Kachites, Jim Cohn, Debbie Rennie, and Kenny Lerner. Other reflections are shared such as the first 1987 ASL Poetry conference where she worked as an interpreter as well. Donna is wearing a v-neck black sweater. She has curly chin-length brown hair. She is in front of a blue, green, and dark pink background.  For more information, please go to the Deaf Studies Archive finding aid link URL: https://archivesspace.rit.edu/repositories/2/resources/815

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