Visible Language was livestreamed with captions from Washington, DC, on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Sunday, November 16, 2014, at 11am PST (San Francisco) / 1pm CST (Chicago) / 2pm EST (Washington, DC). The performance was followed by a discussion with historian Meredith Peruzzi and members of the creative team.
The program is available for viewing here.
Book and Lyrics by Mary Resing
Music by Andy Welchel
Directed by Tom Prewitt
Music Direction by Elisa Rosman
Visible Language is a world premiere, Helen Hayes Award Recommended© musical with book and lyrics by Mary Resing and music by Andy Welchel. Performed in American Sign Language and English, the show tells the true story of the 1890s culture war when two powerful and egotistical men—Alexander Graham Bell and Edward Miner Gallaudet—clashed over how the Deaf should be taught to communicate. The outcome of that contest, vividly dramatized in sign and song in Visible Language, changed the life of every Deaf person in America.
Visible Language is a joint production of WSC Avant Bard and the Gallaudet University Theatre and Dance Program, commemorating the 150th anniversary of Gallaudet University and the 25th anniversary of Avant Bard.
For inside insights from members of the Visible Language creative team, read Blog Posts From the Edge.
Read about Kendall Green, the DC neighborhood that shaped Deaf communication in America.
WHO’S WHO IN VISIBLE LANGUAGE
Cast
Lisa Anne Bailey | Carrie Harrison
Tom Baldridge | Edward Miner Gallaudet
Adam Bartley | Dr. Edward Fay
Mikey Cafarelli | Rep. Joseph Cannon
John Cartwright II | Sam, a Kendall Green student
Tyresha Collins | May, a Kendall Green student
Lewis Freeman | Samuel Randall
Kari Ginsburg* | Mabel Bell
Brady Humphrey | Adolf, a Kendall Green student
Harv Lester | Alexander Graham Bell
Aarron Loggins | Ennals Adams Jr.
Jose Martinez | Jacob, a Kendall Green student
Miranda Medugno | Helen Keller
Sarah Anne Sillers | Anne Sullivan
Emily Stemper | Laura Redden Searing
Jaclyn Young | Mary Cannon
*Member, Avant Bard Acting Company
Band
Alex Aucoin | Drums
Mitch Bassman, Lindsay Williams | Reeds
Meagan Frame, Rick Netherton | Bass
Elisa Rosman | Piano/Conductor
Creative Team and Production Crew
Stage Manager | Kathryn Dooley
Scenic Designer | Ethan Sinnott
Lighting Designer | Annie Wiegand
Assistant Lighting Designer | Casey Analco
Master Electrician | Alex Keen
Costume Designer | Elizabeth Ennis
Assistant Costume Designer | Lauren Lentini
Sound Designer | Neil McFadden
Choreography |Tyler Herman
Choreography for “I Want to Communicate” | Kriston Pumphrey
Properties Designer | Kevin Laughon
Production Manager | Lena Salins
Director of Artistic Sign Language | Aaron Kubey
Visual Dramaturg | Willy Conley
Assistant Directors | Charlie Ainsworth, Tyler Herman
Assistant Stage Manager | Victoria LeBlanc
Technical Director | Jacob Fisher
Assistant Technical Director | Nate Eubanks
Avant Bard Producer | Tom Prewitt
Gallaudet Producer | Ethan Sinnott
Gallaudet Theatre Department Coordinator | Juanita Cebe
Tom Prewitt | Artistic Director
