SDCF & tall poPpy, Inc: Insight on Deaf POC Theater Artists & our Industry

Founded in 1965, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) celebrates, develops, and supports professional stage directors and choreographers throughout every phase of their careers. We work to build a theatrical community that reflects the cultural, racial, and gender diversity of our nation by creating opportunities for artists of all backgrounds to bring their full, authentic selves to their work as creative leaders in the theatre.www.sdcfoundation.org

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation

Join us for a discussion on what  ASL in theater looks like with Deaf directors, choreographers and Directors of Artistic Sign Language.

On August 17th, 2020 at 6pm EDT SDCF and tall poPpy, Inc. will host a panel on what the presence of ASL in theater looks like from the perspective of Deaf directors, choreographers, and Directors of Artistic Sign Language.This panel will bring together Michelle Banks, Monique Holt and Antoine Hunter in conversation with Alexandria Wailes to discuss their individual journeys as Deaf artists of color, asking: What does it mean to gain success in this field, and what should hearing theater makers know when working with Deaf talent?After the Eventbrite administrative fee, all ticket revenue will go towards paying the panelists and three ASL interpreters for their time. If the ticket price presents any hardship, please contact Dani Cattan at dcattan@sdcfoundation.org so we can waive the charge.Once a ticket has been purchased, you will receive a confirmation email with the webinar registration information. Please register as soon as you purchase a ticket. If you have any issues with registration please contact Dani Cattan at dcattan@sdcfoundation.org.Michelle Banks:Michelle A. Banks, a native of Washington, DC, is an award-winning actress, writer, director, producer, choreographer, motivational speaker, and teacher. Former Artistic Director of Onyx Theatre Company for over 11 years in NYC. Her other achievements include the 2017 recipient of Gallaudet University’s Laurent Clerc Award, the 2002 recipient of the Christopher Reeve Acting Scholarship, an Individual Achievement Award from the National Council on Communicative Disorders, and a featured article in the February 1998 issue of Essence magazine. Michelle’s most recent producing/directing credits: Gallaudet University’s A Raisin in the Sun, Look Through My Eyes, Silent Scream, Z: A Christmas Story , What it's Like? (One Man Show) and In Sight and Sound: De(a)f Poetry I, II, &amp; III. Her acting appearances include Sole (TV Pilot), The C.A Lyons Project (Alliance Theatre), Soul Food(Showtime Series), Strong Medicine (Lifetime), Girlfriends (UPN), Compensation (Independent Film), For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide When Rainbow is Enuf (NY &amp; LA) and Big River (Mark Taper Forum &amp; Ford Theater). Currently, Michelle Banks is the Artistic Director of VOCA - Visionaries of the Creative Arts, Inc. - www.visionariesofthecreativearts.org.Monique Holt:Monique 'MoMo’ Holt, MFA, CDI, AEA/SAG-AFTRA - one of 17 BIPOC Certiﬁed Deaf Interpreters (CDI). She was a part of the Deaf theater Sign Masters (SM) in Metro DC. The team felt the abbreviation of Sign Master to SM is confusing with the Stage Manager. They conned this new title: Director of Artistic Sign Language. When it is abbreviated to DASL and it also sounded like dazzle. Therefore, it is DASL’s job to dazzle Deaf patrons. Kennedy Center’s Access Oﬃce &amp; VSA endorsed the title change. BU &amp; VSA hired MoMo to train both Deaf theater people &amp; hearing interpreters for theater settings. OSF hired MoMo as the sign coach for the production of CYMBELINE and she helped Bill Rauch with text editing and sign choreographing for the Deaf and hearing actors. She wishes to see more opportunities for DASLs and get their work recognized.Antoine Hunter:Bay Area native, Antoine Hunter also known Purple Fire Crow is an award-winning Internationally-known African-American, Indigenous, Deaf, Disable, choreographer, dancer, actor, instructor, speaker, Producer and Deaf advocate. He creates opportunities for Disable, Deaf and hearing artists and produces Deaf-friendly events, and founded the Urban Jazz Dance Company and Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival.Antoine has received numerous grants and awards including the inaugural Jeanette Lomujo Bremond Award for Humanity, Isadora Duncan (Izzie) for Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival, and SF King of Carnaval.Antoine’s work has been performed globally, most recently in the Turkey, UK and Russia. He has lectured across the U.S. including at Kennedy Center’s VSA, Harvard and Duke University, and the National Assembly of State Arts. In 2019 alone, his company Urban Jazz Dance Company, an ensemble of professional Deaf and Hearing dancers, performed for and engaged more than 4,200 schoolchildren. His shoe company DropLabs and Susan Paley just released an innovative product to help people feel music through their shoes. He is Vice President of Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA's) Board. DCARA is a non-proﬁt, community-based social service agency serving the deaf community. Established in 1962 as one of the ﬁrst deaf-run agencies in the country. www.RealUrbanJazzDance.comAlexandria Wailes:Alexandria Wailes, an actor, director, choreographer, dancer and DASL received the 2020 Obie Special citation for Sustained Excellence as an Artist and Advocate and a Lucille Lortel nomination for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play For Colored Girls.. at The Public. Additional credits as well as film, TV and web can be checked out at www.alexandriawailes.com A proud member of AEA, SDC and SAG-AFTRA.

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SDCF & tall poPpy, Inc: Insight on Deaf POC Theater Artists & our Industry

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