Monday, June 23, 2014

Midsummer Night's Dream at Highland Bowl

I have been rehearing as a fairy for Peter Quince in Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream for 2 months. As a fairy, I translate a hearing person's spoken lines into ASL (American Sign Language). I and other deaf/hard of hearing/ASL-skilled hearing cast members are all fairies in purple outfits with wings. All hearing cast members (spoken words only) act as real characters in Shakespearean outfits. The ongoing effort to work together, the ASL and English, have been an amazing experience for the cast members. 

This production is run by Rochester Shakespeare Players, a non-for profit organization that provides Shakespeare productions in the city of Rochester for almost 100 years. It is directed by Luane Davis Haggerty. This Midsummer Night's Dream production is the very first one that is including deaf/hard of hearing and ASL-skilled hearing cast members ever in history. So, it is a big deal for the city of Rochester, NY. 



Here is the flyer with details for you to look at. To be able to see it bigger, you need to click right on the flyer.

The event will last for 2 weeks from July 5th until July 19th. There will be no shows on Mondays and Thursdays (rest days). It is free to the public taking place outside at Highland Park where a white stage exists in "the Highland Bowl". Foods, chairs/blankets, alcohol, and families are good for this event.