Performance & Discussion of Visible Language—Musical in American Sign Language—Washington, DC
Channel: HowlRound Theatre Commons
Date: 2014-11-16

The WSC Avant Bard theatre company and the Gallaudet University Theatre and Dance Program present Visible Language—a world premiere musical, performed in American Sign Language and English, about the 1890s culture war that changed the life of every Deaf person in America—livestreaming from Washington, DC, on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Sunday, November 16, 2014, at 11am PST (San Francisco) / 1pm CST (Chicago) / 2pm EST (Washington, DC). 

The performance will be followed by a discussion with members of the creative team. In Twitter, use #howlround. 

Visible Language is a world premiere, Helen Hayes Award Recommended© musical with book and lyrics by Mary Resing and music by Andy Welchel. Performed in American Sign Language and English, the show tells the true story of the 1890s culture war when two powerful and egotistical men—Alexander Graham Bell and Edward Miner Gallaudet—clashed over how the Deaf should be taught to communicate. The outcome of that contest, vividly dramatized in sign and song in Visible Language, changed the life of every Deaf person in America.

The performance runs about one hour 50 minutes, after which there will be a discussion with members of the creative team.

Visible Language is directed by Tom Prewitt with musical direction by Elisa Rosman. Complete credits and cast and creative/production team bios can be found in the Visible Language program, which can be downloaded as a PDF available here.

CREDITS
Book and Lyrics by Mary Resing

Music by Andy Welchel

Directed by Tom Prewitt

Music Direction by Elisa Rosman

CAST
Lisa Anne Bailey | Carrie Harrison

Tom Baldridge  | Edward Miner Gallaudet

Adam Bartley  | Dr. Edward Fay

Mikey Cafarelli  |  Rep. Joseph Cannon

John Cartwright II  | Sam, a Kendall Green student

Tyresha Collins | May,  a Kendall Green student

Lewis Freeman  | Samuel Randall

Kari Ginsburg*  | Mabel Bell

Brady Humphrey  | Adolf,  a Kendall Green student

Harv Lester  | Alexander Graham Bell

Aarron Loggins |  Ennals Adams Jr.

Jose Martinez |  Jacob,  a Kendall Green student

Miranda Medugno |  Helen Keller

Sarah Anne Sillers |  Anne Sullivan

Emily Stemper  | Laura Redden Searing

Jaclyn Young  | Mary Cannon

*Member, Avant Bard Acting Company

BAND
Alex Aucoin  | Drums

Mitch Bassman, Lindsay Williams  | Reeds

Meagan Frame, Rick Netherton |  Bass

Elisa Rosman |  Piano/Conductor

CREATIVE TEAM & PRODUCTION CREW
Stage Manager | Kathryn Dooley

Scenic Designer | Ethan Sinnott

Lighting Designer | Annie Wiegand

Assistant Lighting Designer | Casey Analco 
Master Electrician | Alex Keen

Costume Designer | Elizabeth Ennis

Assistant Costume Designer | Lauren Lentini

Sound Designer | Neil McFadden

Choreography  |Tyler Herman

Choreography for “I Want to Communicate” | Kriston Pumphrey

Properties Designer | Kevin Laughon

Production Manager | Lena Salins

Director of Artistic Sign Language  | Aaron Kubey

Visual Dramaturg  | Willy Conley

Assistant Directors | Charlie Ainsworth, Tyler Herman

Assistant Stage Manager | Victoria LeBlanc

Technical Director  | Jacob Fisher

Assistant Technical Director | Nate Eubanks

Avant Bard Producer | Tom Prewitt

Gallaudet Producer | Ethan Sinnott

Gallaudet Theatre Department Coordinator | Juanita Cebe

Tom Prewitt | Artistic Director

Visible Language is a joint production of the WSC Avant Bard theatre company and the Gallaudet University Theatre and Dance Program, commemorating the 150th anniversary of Gallaudet University and the 25th anniversary of Avant Bard.

Livestreamed as performed November 16, 2014, in the Eastman Studio Theatre, Elstad Annex, Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002.

Help us caption & translate this video!

http://amara.org/v/SqaL/