Canadian Deaf Theatre Artists

[Richard Plant]

Hello Chris:

At least two graduate students in my class at the Drama Centre have
written aobut theatre and hearing impaired people in the past thre or four
years. Do you know Kaja Montgomery? You might want to get in touch with
people at the Clarke Institute and the Workman Theatre Project. There is a
substantial body of material there.

Richard Plant
Dept of Drama, Queen's University
and
Graduate Centre for Study of Drama,
University of Toronto

On Tue, 17 Mar 1998, Chris Dodd wrote:

> Hello  everyone,
>
> I am hoping that some of you will be able to assist me in my search.
>
> I am an honors student in theatre at the University of Alberta.  I will be
> completing my thesis on contemporary trends within deaf theatre this April.
> I'm seeking to contact individuals within Canada who are presently
> involved with deaf theatre, whether as actors, directors, designers,
> writers, or technical crew.
>
> There are three established organizations which I would like to contact:
>
> Theatre Visuel des Sourds de Quebec has been in existence in Montreal since
> 1968.  The group is composed of deaf french actors who use french
> sign-language (Langue des Signes Quebecoise) and mime as the method of
> communication with the audience.  The group has been incorporated since 1988
> and is one of the longest running professional deaf theatres worldwide.
> However, the last information I have on the group dates to 1996 and I do not
> know if they are currently active.  I'm seeking to contact two deaf french
> individuals,  Serge Briere, co-founder of the organization, and Johanne
> Boulanger, vice president, who graduated with a BA degree in Theatre from
> the Universite du Quebec a Montreal in 1990.
>
> In Toronto, there is a company called A Show of Hands.  In 1988, the group
> recieved a sizeable grant and toured across Canada.  When the money ran out,
> the members of the group dispersed and the company went into a period of
> inactivity. However, within the past few years, it has been active again in
> Toronto on a smaller scale and is teaching workshops to high school
> students.  Jim Mcdermott and Michele Pinet, are listed as assoicate director
> and artistic director, respectively, in the information I have from 1988.
>
> In Vancouver, there is a recent arrival called Fingers Happy Productions run
> by Gordon P. Hoeppner.  He especializes in deaf theatre for public
> school audiences.  Gordon recently moved the company from Toronto in
> the first week of October.  I have previously been in contact with him but I
> don't have his updated address in Vancouver yet and would like to contact
> him.
>
> As well, if you are aware of any artists, companies (amateur or
> professional), or touring productions in your area, I would be grateful if
> you could pass on the information.  Time is an essence, since the completed
> thesis is due April 17th.
>
> Thanks for your help!
>
> -Chris Dodd
>