presented by Deaf Spotlight and ACTLab
Dates: Feb 15-17, 2019 (preview Feb 14)
Run time: approximately 90 minutes, with one ten-minute intermission
Location: Lalie Theatre
Some of the best Deaf writers, actors, and directors in the Pacific Northwest and nationwide will present original ten-minute features at Deaf Spotlight’s Short Play Festival. The performances will illuminate the artistry of the Deaf community and American Sign Language.
The featured ten-minute plays are never before seen works, and the writers were limited only by their imagination. Don’t miss your chance to see what some of the best and brightest #DeafTalent bring to the stage!
The entire performance run will be accessible for all audience members through captioning. DeafBlind interpreting will be available for the 2pm showing on February 17. Please email DeafBlind interpreting requests to deafspotlight@gmail.com before February 1, 2019.
Each showing will present the following six short plays, directed by acclaimed Deaf artists Jules Dameron, Monique Holt, and Ryan Schlecht.
- Civil Engagement by Joey Caverly
- Humanly Possible by Aimee Chou
- Turkey Dogs by Changer Gonzalez
- Vandalism by Amelia Hensley
- WAG-TALE by Monique Holt
- Cerebral by Jevon Whetter
There will be a short reception after the February 15 showing. Deaf Spotlight will host a discussion panel with some of the writers, actors, and directors from the festival on February 16 at 4pm.
Deaf Spotlight is a nonprofit organization serving the Pacific Northwest. Our mission is to inspire and showcase Deaf culture and American Sign Language through the arts. We foster artistic and cultural awareness in a variety of mediums, including cinema, literature, visual arts, and performing arts.
In the years leading up to the Short Play Festival, Deaf Spotlight developed three full theater productions by Deaf writers and directors. It also hosts the nationally renowned Seattle Deaf Film Festival, which will return in 2020. You can learn more about all of Deaf Spotlight’s programs at deafspotlight.org.
Patty Liang, Executive Director
Patty Liang is the Executive Director of Deaf Spotlight, which oversees artistic and cultural programming to support Deaf artists and their work. Throughout her career, Patty has pursued opportunities that encourage the Deaf community to embrace and celebrate the arts. She has a BFA in Ceramics from the University of Washington, and an MA in Nonprofit Management for the Arts from New York University. She believes that everyone has the ability to create and express their story through the arts.
Kellie Martin, Festival Director
Kellie Martin is a non-binary queer visual artist who graduated from Gallaudet University with a BA in Studio Arts and Theatre Production. Ze currently lives in Seattle, Washington where ze volunteers with Deaf Spotlight as Theatrical Festival Director and a Co-Lead for the Group Art Exhibition featuring Pacific Northwest Deaf artists and their work. Kellie is an active participant in the #DeafTalent movement as a driven artist, thespian, curator, and advocate. Ze wants to create more opportunities and open doors to Deaf artists so they can thrive in the arts community.
Jules Dameron, Director
Jules Dameron recently performed Shakespeare in American Sign Language as Capulet in Romeo & Juliet in Los Angeles. She’s also a loyal company member of The Deaf Gang, an organization founded by Joshua Castille that is dedicated to training Deaf actors. In addition to acting and working as an ASL master, Jules has had the honor of directing Maple & Vine for New York Deaf Theatre last spring. She is also an award-winning film director. Among other projects, Jules has directed a television series, Møkkakaffe, that aired nationwide in Norway. As a woman of many talents across various styles in film and theatre, Jules is ecstatic to be part of the Deaf Spotlight family in Seattle.
Monique Holt, Director
Monique Holt received her MFA in Theatre from Towson University and BFA in Acting from New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Her thesis was focused on creating a ‘Universal Design in Theatrical Presentation.’ Monique wears many hats in the theater. She directs, acts, Butoh dances, choreographs movements, and translates scripts from text to sign language. She also teaches, mentors, and coaches anything theater-related (but nothing technical).
Ryan Schlecht, Director
Ryan Schlecht has worked for eighteen years as a professional artist in the theatre industry. His acting credits include Big River and Oliver! with Deaf West Theatre. Big River was a Tony Honoree for Excellence in Theatre and Oliver! won an LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award for Best Revival of a Musical. Other credits include Sound (Azeotrope Theatre), for which Schlecht earned a Gypsy Rose Lee Award nomination for Excellence in Performance as a Supporting Actor; and ASL— Midsummer Night’s Dream (Sound Theatre Company), for which he earned a Gregory Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Play. Ryan’s directing credits include El Deafo (Book-It Repertory Theatre); and Broken Spokes and God of Carnage (Deaf Spotlight). In addition, he served as Deaf Spotlight’s Artistic Director and ASL Master for multiple productions in the Seattle theatre community.
Buddy Elledge, Graphic Designer
Jason Eastman, Communications Manager
Kellie Martin
On February 15, there will be a short reception after the showing.
Age & Content Considerations: contains adult themes.
ACT believes that our patrons can determine what is offensive for themselves, and what is appropriate for their children. We don’t create age restrictions but do our best to offer content advisories for each show. For detailed information about show content and possible triggers, please contact communications@acttheatre.org.
More shows!