Deaf Culture on stage

     It was with great anticipation that I began studying sign language a Hilbert College last semester and it brought even greater joy to learn of the unique attributes of the Deaf culture.  It was like learning to speak Chinese and then communicating to the natives in China.  I actually spoke to deaf children who thought I too was deaf, and wonder of wonders, they understood me! My professor, Sister Conchetta LoPresti is a brilliant signer and assists at many events throughout Western New York and in fact throughout eh United States,    

     After viewing the amazing DVD's of St. Mary's school students performing their latest musicals, I was curious as to how they were taught and actually performed these entertaining shows.  

     Today I visited St. Mary’s School for the Deaf and spoke with the director of the arts program, the drama and dance teachers and met the principal and a few workers , all of whom were gracious and kind.  They explained – very patiently I might add – that training students with the inability to hear to perform in musicals was a mighty task yet brought about many advantages for their futures.  They promised to let me observe classes and thought perhaps I might be able to help in one way or another.

                So it’s back to the books and elegant hand gestures.  I’m writing down all the orders I usually give in class and memorizing every word I’ll be using for choreography.  Let’s hope I don’t slip in the highly volatile signs  of my Sicilian grandfather!