by Cozette Calderon
The evolution of theater has been remarkable. We’ve seen the craft over the years move from silent acts and dramatic operas to eventually adding dance and catchy songs to create the musicals we know and love. However, theater is beginning a new journey, one that has been trying to get moving for years. Musicals and plays have been written and translated into many different languages, but what about combining two languages into one show? Well, the idea has been accomplished with American Sign Language and spoken English in deaf focused productions. But now, more and more theater companies—even Broadway productions—are accepting bilingual productions as a fresh idea, leading us to a new era of theater.
You might have heard of bilingual productions done by DeafWest, most likely their production of the Hunchback of Notre Dame or their iteration of Spring Awakening that made headlines. But, now, a new star has hit broadway: Millicent Simmonds. Doesn’t sound familiar?
Well, Millicent Simmonds is most commonly known for her break-out role in ‘A Quiet Place’ (2018), a horror film in which aliens hunt those who make sound. While ‘A Quiet Place’ is not the first film to involve the Deaf community, it certainly made an impact on pop culture at the time. In fact, since that film was released, we’ve seen more and more deaf representation in films and tv shows like CODA, Hawkeye, and even the medical drama series New Amsterdam. These shows have included ASL and deaf actors like Troy Kotsur, Daniel Durant, Marlie Matlin, and Sandra Mae Frank. Now, Broadway is keeping things rolling…
Broadway, in its 288 years of establishment, has only had a small number of deaf performers, and the most recent is previously mentioned, 20-year-old Millicent Simmonds. Just last month she made her Broadway debut in the limited-time, psychological thriller play Grey House. The play ran just over a month and a half and is one of those shows that sends shivers to its viewers. According to New York Times writer, Jesse Green, the play investigates horror “clichés without condescension”, centering around 4 daughters (one of which is Simmonds) that live in an abandoned cabin. When a family gets lost in the woods and makes their way to the cabin, freaky and frightening events occur.
In an interview given on the red carpet during the premiere of Grey House, Simmonds was asked how it felt to be such a big representation for Deaf actors. In response, she said that it has been “a little bit overwhelming”, but that she has been “so welcomed” by her fellow actors. She also mentioned that she is excited “to see more diversity on the stage.” Barriers for deaf actors are being broken down, and previous “struggles” of inclusion—like “How will they know when to sign?” or “Won’t it look weird to combine two languages?” are being disproved by simply casting and then working with deaf actors on the stage. Want to see how bilingual productions work for yourself?
Fortunately, you don’t have to travel all the way to New York to see an exciting and beautiful mix of ASL and English. Just 40 minutes away from the quaint town of Benicia, Fremont based theater companies are catching onto the new swing of things. One actor in particular, Noelle Wilder, is making their way to the stage. Wilder is the up-and-coming deaf actor who has been helping theaters throughout the Bay Area combine musical theater with the ASL to bridge the language barrier between the deaf and hearing.
Last year, Stage 1 Theater started bilingual productions with a bang, performing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Wilder undertook the lead role in that production, supported by a group of actors who were deaf or connected to the Deaf community. Wilder has now undertaken the role of liaison in the latest bilingual production of Into the Woods Jr. premiering this August at The Douglas Morrison Theater in Hayward.
So, if you’re interested to see your share of ASL on stage, Stage 1 is putting on a bilingual production of Into the Woods Jr. running August 18 through the 27 (interpreters will also be provided for all performances). However, if you miss your chance to see it, you’ll only have to wait until Fall to see Noelle’s and Stage 1’s partnership in the show Evita, running November 3-19.
As we embark on this new journey in the theater world, let’s welcome the chance with open arms to see fresh faces and experiences shown on the stage that brings exciting entertainment to us all.
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