Little Theatre of the Deaf set to Perform in Maine

Deaf and hard of hearing children will have a unique opportunity to experience live theatre and workshops in their own language this month as the Little Theatre of the Deaf performs at the University of Southern Maine and at the Baxter School for the Deaf.

The actors will perform at the Baxter School for the Deaf on Friday, October 28, and then offer a public performance at 4:00 pm on Saturday, October 29 at Talbot Auditorium in Luther Bonney Hall, on the University of Southern Maine campus.

The Little Theatre of the Deaf is a small ensemble composed of Deaf and hearing actors from the acclaimed National Theatre of the Deaf, based in Hartford, CT. It performs children’s theatre for Deaf and hearing audiences and their families, bringing both worlds together on one stage.

“We are thrilled to bring the Little Theatre of the Deaf to Maine this fall,” said Keith Ludden of the Maine Arts Commission. “Not only will this exceptional troupe of actors offer two live performances, they will also present a mix of workshops. There will be workshops in creative drama for children and a workshop for ASL interpreters that interpret performances.”

The performances and workshops are sponsored by the Davis Family Foundation, the New England Foundation for the Arts and the Friends of Baxter School.

“This is a unique opportunity for children in Maine,” said Karen Hopkins the Early Childhood Coordinator at the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. “We are delighted to work with the Maine Arts Commission on this project and we hope there will be a large amount of interest in both the performances and the workshops.”

Tickets for the performance at USM are available at $8 for adults and $5 for children. They can be purchased through the American Sign Language (ASL) Lab at USM, 49 Exeter Street, Portland, Maine. 207/780-5957 (voice), 207/780-4069 (TTY), or 207/766-7097 (videophone).

The children’s workshops are free and limited to 25 participants on a first come-first-served basis. Children wishing to participate should also contact the American Sign Language Lab at USM. ASL student interpreters may purchase a package that includes both the interpreter’s workshop and the performance at $30. Both workshops are at the Wishcamper building, 34 Bedford Street, Portland, Maine at Room 211. The performance is at the Talbot Auditorium, Luther Bonney building, 90 Bedford Street, Portland, ME. Details of the performances and workshops can be found at MaineArts.com.

All Maine Arts Commission events are conducted in accessible facilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Persons requesting accommodations should request them at least ten days in advance, by contacting Keith Ludden, 207/287-2713 or keith.ludden@maine.gov.