This year, I have seen a Christmas play at two different church. I enjoyed both of them. However, I found myself thinking about the same sort of thing at both of them. Now, to be honest, perhaps my dream is not currently possible, but maybe someday, somewhere somebody could actually do this.
What I noticed is that in both plays, the interpreter did not quite fit in with the scenery in the play. At one play, the placement of the interpreter could almost be a nuisance to the rest of the congregation since they at times blocked the view of the scenery. In my mind, I could almost sense people in the audience getting annoyed because the ASL interpreters were blocking their view. Now, would those annoyed members then have a high opinion of fellow Deaf people in the church? Isn’t there a better way to do this?
Oh yes, I’d think there could be a better way. How about, interpretation shouldn’t be an afterthought that is just pitched into the front of the stage. How about — make them actors in the play. Embed interpreters here and there right in the scenery? Make them part of the choir. Maybe even have Deaf people as actors for some role with someone shadowing them to voice what is signed a la what NTID plays do? After all, Deaf people can be pretty good actors if you thought to give them a chance! Come on folks — let’s be creative, find ways to make sure that all verbal communication is also made visual and vice versa. Let the ASL interpretation in the play actually enhance the experience for everybody simultaneously.
