HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-83-09200
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1�
-Y IAA-221
Ir. . H,cward Gary,
City of Miami
City Hall
P 0 Box 330708
miami , F1 33133
DEAF SERVICES BUREAU
18CC W LAGLER, SU17E Z13
', IAN11I. =La 33134
City Manager
.must 12, 1983
:after a telephone conversation with Conmissioner Plummer he suggested we
forward a letter directly to you with our request.
Deaf Services Bureau is sponsoring the rational Theater of the Dear in Miami
on March 17, 1984. The performance of the National Theater will be held at
the Maurice Gusman Cultural Center. We would like to request an $850_grant
from the City to cover the rental fee for the QmTr an Center.
Deaf Services Bureau is an independent non-profit agency providing services
to the 120,000 hearing-i-^mired population of Dade County and the City of
:Lia>rli. 01;e provide interpreters for the deaf, information & referral, 171-
telephone relay services and some job placement services. Deaf Services is
currently funded through Human Resources Department of Dade County, United
'.Jay of Dade County and fmdraising of Dear Services Bureau. Our total opera-
ting budget for 1982-83 is $87,000.
Deaf Services Bureau is sponsoring this performance of the Rational Theater
or the Deaf as a fundraising project to assist with our portion of the opera-
ting budget. A grant for the rental fee of $850 at Gus -man would assist us in
our -Ltndraising activities.
.Je would request your favorable approval for this grant and urge you to sLm-
port this request with the City Ccarmissicners. If additional information is
needed from our agency please let us know.
Sircereiv yours,
--Richard D. Dirst
7•.:ec::ti.ve D4-rector
MD / gog
at--ch. A NON-PROFIT ORGA%IZATIO%
83-920
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.3.8 'Wed.. Feb. 2 t. 111R2
The Time%
Sheer
eau y
of'
siuru
a uage
Deaf 1roupe ae asi
the proceedings.
Relying a great deal on visualizing the
story through movement, the actors im-
personate various images and personages.
One of the more striking sequences was
when Gilgamesh descended into the depths
of the sea. Using a blue chiffon streamer.
other actors created a watery movement
and then raised the cloth as Gilgamesh
disappeared under the water. And you know,
it looked like any under water shot you've
ever seen.
Adapter Shanny Mow kept Gtfoamesh on
a simplistic plane. but then most legends are
simplicity realized through personification.
Actor Howie Seago. looking every inch the
hero. did excellent work throughout the
story as the tormented protagonist. Good,
too, was Tetsuya Izaki as his great friend.
Enkidu, whose death causes Gilgamesh to
challenge the gods.
In support, Jody Steiner and Mike Lami-
tola created a believable scorpion with their
sinuous movements. In another sequence.
various actors assumed animal postures
and. after the humor of it passed, one saw
how very well they did it. Charles Michael
Roper did fine as the speaking narrator.
backing up signer Charles Baird.
The NDT. by the fact that it is performcfi
by the deaf, becomes a total thewric.al
By LANE CI10CRET[
Times Entertainment Editor
If one is struck by anything after viewing
a performance by the ',National Theatre of
the Deaf. it's the sheer beauty of sign
language, a medium of communication that
works wonderfully well on the stage.
Tuesday night the NTD presented two
plays at the Civic Theater under the co-
sponsorship of the Shreveport Regional Arts
council and Louisiana Downs in conjunction
with Shreveport Parks and Recreation. A
sizable audience turned out, and surely they
were not disappointed.
The first worn is called Gtfottmesh and
eomes in the form of a legend. Here, more
than in the other work, visuals were used to
excellent effect as the troupe told the story
of a man -god and his quest for immortality.
Even though a speaking actor was provided
to narrate. one found himself captured by
the miming and visual effects utilized to
realize the myth. Being hearing impaired.
most of the actors have learned how to use
their bodies in suggesting action without the
help of verbalization and that, in itself, is a
talent sometimes denied the hearing. The
hearing also do not have the remarkable
sign language that gives a sort of depth to
for eyes
experience, utilzing all the equipment a
performer has at his command. And. per-
haps best. the NTD asks its audience to use
the imagination — the greatest equipment
of all.
The Ghost of Chastity Pest. the second
work, is a spoof of Westerns performed in
the Japanese kabuki stvle. It had its amus-
ing moments but came nowhere close the
the beauty of Giloomesh. here exag-
gerated movement was used and Sometimes
overly used. Like any work of exaggeration.
it has a tendency to overcome the purpose.
Still. it -gas enjoyable and signing was seen
in a different light.
Nat Nilson captured the delicate gestures
of a geisha as the Sweet Chastity, with good
comic work from Seago and third as
masked men who provided the props. cos•
tumes. parts of the sets and anything else
handy. Roper and Miss Steiner, two hearing
actors, whooped it up as the hooters and
pickers, telling this gunslinging saga
through song.
One appreciates the sponsors of this event
who have brought to the city a form of
theater not usually seen. To watch the NTD
ib reinforce the theory that acting and
muvement are two of the most important
elements we have in communicating with
oach other.
83"924
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THE NATIONAL THEATRE OF THE DEAF
YOU HEAR AND SEE EVERY WORD
The National Theatre of the Deaf speaks with two voices,
one for the ear and one for the eve. By combining the spoken
word with sign language The National Theatre of the Deaf created
a new theatre form, a dual language theatre. In magnifying the
visual imagery inherent in sign language the effect was also to
magnify the spoken word. The English language was suddenly ex-
panded to include the visible shapes of the ideas being verbally
expressed.
This was a new theatrical idea, and for the past fourteen
years The National Theatre of the Deaf (NTD) has developed, and
continues to develop this concept. In the process the theatre
has garnered worldwide acclaim.
"A Wonder, to Behold." "A National Treasure."
"Theatre at Its Best." "Marvelous." "Stunning,
Joyous, Funny, and Total." are typical head-
lines prefacing NTD reviews.
During its fourteen years of performing the NTD has:
Won a Tony
Made TV specials for CBS and PBS
Performed at Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center
Performed in all fifty states
Toured America thirty-one times, giving 3000
performances at over 1000 schools and theatres
:fade twelve tours of Europe
Toured the Orient twice
Toured Australia and New Zealand twice
Audiences watching an NTD performance for the first time are
astonished by the power and beauty of the dual language style.
They are surprised to find deaf actors performing at the peak of
professionalism, and by the unexpected experience of seeing as well
as hearing every word of the play. No literary style lies -beyond
the NTD's dramatic range; the actors have performed everything
from bedroom farce to Greek Tragedy. In addition to adapting plays,
novels, and epic poetry, the theatre has become adept at creating
original works. For the audience the NTD poses no language or
communication barrier. It is a professional theatre iust like other
professional theatres - but with a difference.
The difference is fcund in the NTD's singular method, and in
the interdependence of i:s deaf and 'aearir.: actors that is best
mirrored by the daring vounLr :tan on the flying trapeze and his
catcher.
Who has not longed ro run away and join the circus or a
travelling troupe oz pLa-ers. When the Big Top comes to town,
when The `;aticnal 1.!-ea=e cf the Deaf performs, everyone CANT
run away to those =abul cus where, under the spell of
circus rings and stage curtains, wcnders are -,any and the artists
do thins Ehat were ^ever believed possible.
M4 of
C)
Ik:af Services Wireau (I14B) was DL' A F
founded in February 1978 in the `y
htme of several individuals wha have SERVICES
freely of their LimiL and knowledge. » Cif ,
i t Soon becanin: evident that the need BU R ta. �1 lJ
far exceeded the tiwe and abilities
of a vohunreLr organnization. w ►-H
In a joint effort frcin both deaf
and hearing caintunities, Deaf U3 r
Services Bcuean received funding �'� 1C Cs
fran K!tropolitan D►de Connty and c 4! �
opened it's first official office '7
in October 1978. [1iB becane incor-
porated as a non-profit orguiizaticnn �!
in the State of Florian in
IV'c'l.7nI er 1979. + r'
[leaf Services Bureau is currently �
cgnerating as an independent
agency which is partially funded
by lade Coiunty. 91ne office is x
located at 4800 1Jest Flagler Street r.o- ,
tti anii , F 1 33134. 'I'elephexne (305) ' 'r
444-2266 (voice only) 444-2211 ,rQ
('rry/`il)D only) . Office hours are rr QW
tinnciay through Fritiay 8.30 am to
9:00 pau. Q
IlL.af Services Bureau, Inc. is a
paying muiber and supporter of the �"I'L PIN
following, organizatiOnS which serve
the deaf:
tliani Association of the (leaf
Florida Association of the Deaf
Convention of Mti<xican Instructors
of the Duaf
(� International AS'sOciati(xr of Parents 4800 W. Flagler Street, Suite 213
G? of the Oeaf Miami, Florida 333134
National 1tegistry of Interpreters
for the lleaf
Florida Council of Handicapped (305)444-22(voice}
Organizations (305) 444 2211 (rl"I'Y)
leletypowriters for the [loaf
SE:RVtCI:S PRQVItf
BY
DEAF. SEMICES BUTOU, INC.
AIAYINCz.MIGES _
Should you need to mike a telephone
call, we can help you M n(iay through
Friday 8: 30 ,an to 4:00 lxn.
if you are deaf, we caul . . . .
tall your ellployer u�}ten you
are si ck.
M*e or cannel appointnuille:.
Relay neg. - t:o any person
in Lire uaorld (Juo dcCs not
have a
if you are hearir4;, we can . . . .
Relay nrssages to any person
in the world who has a 1' /
11M.
IMUTRLTLR SL[tV IL
Deaf ,;ervi c:cs Bureau will, upon
request., arran„e and lucrvide for
qualified t)ral or Sign Language
interpreter services. All requests
should he sulmritted at least 48
hours in advance (except for
osner,eneies). 11-is includes -
visits to the doctor, legal matters,
lectures, educational matters, etc.
Should all agency or program need an
interpreter to allow equal access
for a hearing urp)aircd or (leaf
client, call Deaf Services Bureau
nozd ra-11(e your recitiest.
WI EN IYOU:STI NG AN I NMICIER,
the following information is needed:
Date, time, location of assignment.
Situation, i.e. (miployment, legal
medical, personal, meeting, etc.
Approximate length of time the
interpreter will he needed.
amie and telephone anther of contact
person.
attune of client.
Person or agency who will pay for
the interpreter.
Deaf Services has a hank of infonreu-
tion and referral resources; in the
area of deafness. If. you are not
sure of the right place to go for
are assistance you need, we can
help you choose the appropriate
solutiai. Infortuatioo abrnut agencies,
education, books, suurx�r canpos, sign
language classes, etc.
IuflIILYNnISLLTIR
Ik_af :Services Bureau pulilishes
mmthly the "DSB artaslr�I'IF:R'. 'Chis
paper contains local, state, and
national news items and a calendar
of events and activities in the
Dade and Broward county area. Ycur
news is welcome.
. V�tI+11LLE�_
Deaf Services Bureau depends on the
volunteer services of both the
hearing and deaf conmtmities to
carry out all of its services. If
you have some free time and wish to
assist in same way give the office
a call. We appreciate your help.
..iI:I1E&WKSS PREUTATIM
Presentations on, deafness are pro-
vided upon request. 1loese
presentations are as varied as the
groups which request them, but in
general give a broad overview on
the various conunicationn styles,
communication barriers, myths, and
success of the (leaf. school";,
hospitals, clubs V11VIOyer:;, etc. ,
are cncoural;ed to take ')dvantal;e
of this service.
JOB PLA1C. ` 11
Deaf Services Bureau provider; job
placonenr services for the hu."'
inpoaired of ikrd(' Cotnt.y, llris pro-
griu» is deperxlertt rent the rrrmnnii t It
needs Mid the .job shills of fit('indivi_th,a1 sc+AkiIir,, itL'Wenx•nt.
A Sumer Wotfi E',l,cricnc•e for do•af
teenagers (hi};h school al,O i.; rt
part of the ,job placcuucrit service.
'l1te Sumer Work Vxpericno'e i:; at
ten week programs provirliuy, a
tuaeuty hour work week at miniunan
wage.
RUCH''U11 Its I MID I�EtIJEI1141(i f(fa [Pa
t)eaf Services Burealt offer:; current
infonnattion and instruction in
Fur):rican Sign L:rttyo;l}>e, NiK clean
Sip, I.n ,unge is the n t-ura l
gestur.�I langua;"(1 of the deaf
commliity.
ME tnO DADS
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