Sorenson VRS to Sponsor A Show of Hands: A Celebration of Deaf Theatre

Fest Includes Phyllis Frelich and Bernard Bragg

Boston, MA [August 16, 2005] – A Show of Hands: A Celebration of Deaf Theatre, a three-day event celebrating the work of Deaf theatre, will be sponsored by Sorenson Video Relay Service (VRS), a service provided by Sorenson Communications. “We’re very pleased to have Sorenson VRS on board,” said Bonnie S. Kaplan, Festival Co-chair. “The festival relies on the support of sponsors such as Sorenson VRS, and their support ensures that the festival will be a major success.”

"Sorenson VRS is proud to support the premier event, A Show of Hands. As an integral part of the deaf community, we feel it is important to support a variety of events. The festival, being the first of its kind in Boston, is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Deaf theater. We are pleased to be involved in such a venture," said Rebekah M. Barkowitz, Boston Sorenson VRS Interpreting Center Director.

A Show of Hands will be held Nov. 17-19 in Boston, showcasing distinguished American Deaf theatre artists and their work. Performances will be presented in American Sign Language (ASL), along with workshops, panel discussions, and children’s activities. The distinguished role of Guest Presenter is held by award-winning actress Phyllis Frelich, who won a Tony award as Sarah in Children of a Lesser God, and an Emmy for Love is Never Silent, as Janice. Another featured guest is Bernard Bragg, an accomplished actor, director, playwright and lecturer. Performers scheduled for the festival include Terrylene, Peter Cook, CJ Jones, Rosa Lee Gallimore, The Wings Company, and The Con (Howie Seago and Nat Wilson).

“It’s our hopes that we’ll bring both well-established and newer performers together to truly celebrate the magic of Deaf theatre,” said Janis Cole, Festival Co-Chair. “Deaf theatre is a pivotal part of Deaf history. We hope this event will not only recognize and enhance, but also celebrate, the cultural life of the Boston Deaf community. We’re grateful Sorenson VRS will help make that happen.”

The festival will be held at the Roxbury Center for the Arts Hibernian Hall in Roxbury, Mass. For ticket information or other details, please visit www.deaftheatrefest.com or e-mail info@deaftheatrefest.com.

Greetings!

We at Oral Hearing Loss (OHL) Advocacy applaud you for your publication of an accurate and appropriate news release (below). As you probably know, many Deaf events are inappropriately categorized as being for the "Deaf and hard of hearing". We at OHL Advocacy believe that such inappropriate proclamations contribute to the public misconception that the Deaf folks and OHL folks comprise a single group, which impedes the provision of appropriate services to members of the OHL community.

 

We have established a "Hall of Fame" and a "Hall of Shame" on our website (http://www.hearinglossweb.com/Issues/Identity/ohl/nat/ohla/ed/ed.htm) and we are pleased and proud to add your coverage of this event to our "Hall of Fame".

 

Thank you for an accurate and appropriate news release.

 

Sincerely,

Larry Sivertson