Deaf Spotlight Presents SKIN | Alexandria Wailes + More | Talks at Google | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

SKIN is a play performed in American Sign Language, exploring the struggles of four deaf queer women in Seattle's Capitol Hill.

Key Insights

• 🙉 Deaf Spotlight aims to inspire, encourage, and showcase creative works by and for deaf people in the Pacific Northwest.
• 🧏‍♀️ SKIN sheds light on the experiences of deaf, queer women struggling with violence, sex, love, and friendship in Seattle's Capitol Hill.
• 🎭 The play is performed in American Sign Language with English captions to create higher visibility for the deaf community in film, theater, and art.
• 🙉 SKIN offers a unique opportunity for non-deaf and non-queer audiences to gain insight into the deaf and queer communities and foster greater understanding and empathy.
• 🧏‍♀️ Crystal Roberts, the writer of SKIN, wanted to represent the experiences of deaf, lesbian women on stage and provide a voice that is often underrepresented.
• 😓 Translating the script into ASL posed challenges in capturing nuances and double meanings, but the cast worked collaboratively to ensure an accurate representation.
• 👩‍🚀 SKIN aims to create a safe and inclusive space for women in the theater, reflecting the importance of supporting diverse voices and perspectives.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What is the mission of Deaf Spotlight?

Deaf Spotlight's mission is to inspire, encourage, and showcase creative works of and by and for deaf people in the Pacific Northwest. They aim to provide opportunities for deaf artists and promote their visibility in various artistic fields.

Q: How did SKIN come to be and what is its significance?

SKIN was written by Crystal Roberts, a deaf woman who wanted to represent the real experiences of deaf, lesbian women on stage. The play is a collage of deep, complex characters who navigate a world unkind to them and showcases their resilience and friendships. The script was chosen through an open call for deaf playwrights and aims to provide a local, inspired perspective on Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.

Q: How does SKIN make theater accessible to non-deaf and non-queer audiences?

SKIN welcomes all theater-goers, regardless of their identity. The play's themes and stories are relatable to anyone, as it explores universal experiences of human connection, friendships, and personal growth. By inviting everyone to experience the play, it helps bridge gaps and increase understanding between different communities.

Q: What challenges did the cast face in translating the script into American Sign Language (ASL)?

Translating the script from English to ASL posed challenges in expressing nuances, puns, and double meanings unique to spoken language. The cast worked closely with the writer and had discussions to ensure a meaningful and accurate representation of the script in ASL. Each actor brought their own backgrounds and experiences to the character development, which added to the richness of their performances.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• SKIN is the third theatrical production by Deaf Spotlight, an organization based in Seattle that aims to inspire and showcase creativity by and for deaf individuals in the Pacific Northwest.

• The play tells the story of four deaf, queer women navigating issues of violence, sex, love, and friendship in a changing Seattle landscape.

• SKIN is performed in American Sign Language with English captions and aims to create higher visibility for the deaf community in film, theater, and art.