This story was first published in Classical KC's "Take Note" newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox the first Wednesday of every month.
One of the most prominent names in the history of Western music is Ludwig van Beethoven, who famously became completely deaf later in life. He could hear music in his head—and feel the vibrations in his body—but at the conclusion of the premiere of his Symphony No. 9 in 1824, he couldn’t hear the riotous applause from the audience, and had to be turned around to acknowledge their praise.
September is Deaf Awareness Month. In the last 200 years since Beethoven, and particularly in the last few decades, a confluence of innovation, technology, and advocacy has created opportunities for those in the deaf community to enjoy and appreciate live music and theater performance.
The first Broadway play to include American Sign Language interpretation was “The Elephant Man,” in 1980, presented by the Theatre Development Fund. (ASL was seen even earlier on stage in context, as part of the dialogue in “The Miracle Worker,” in 1959.) Over the last 45 years, more organizations, productions and theater companies have sought ways to open their art form to people of many different abilities, including the deaf and hard of hearing community, on stage and off.
“ASL is one of the biggest sources of connectivity within the Deaf community,” says Nicole Conrad, a Deaf ASL coach who has worked with local interpreters for several years. “It allows us to connect with people around us. It allows us to connect with what is happening in our society and the world. It allows us to gain understanding of what is happening around us. It allows us to have meaningful relationships with each other.
“Access is meant to empower us, lift us, and ultimately connect us."Nicole Conrad
“ASL interpreters allow me to have equal access in my language, which is American Sign Language,” Conrad says. “The use of interpreters also allows me to have a more meaningful connection to what is happening on the stage.”
One of the earliest performing arts organizations in Kansas City to recognize the power and value of integrating ASL interpretation into live performance was the Heartland Men’s Chorus, which has included certified ASL interpreters in every performance since they started in 1986. The graceful gestures of longtime collaborator Rick McAdams were often praised along with the rest of the performance.
“Our mission is to build community, celebrate pride, and empower authenticity,” said HMCKC executive director Dudley Hogue. “That statement guides everything that we do, including to welcome people from all communities into our concerts where we change hearts and minds through our storytelling and music.”
Paige Turner, who is now the resident interpreter for the Heartland Men’s Chorus following the death of Rick McAdams in 2016, runs NERDterpreter, which serves comic book and anime conventions as well as music performances including this past Spring’s performances of The Lion King at the Kansas City Music Hall.
Many Kansas City organizations include ASL interpretation in their performances. Often, with theatre companies such as The Coterie Theatre, KCRep, or Starlight, ASL interpreters are scheduled for select performances during the run of a show, frequently featuring local ASL interpreters Lisa Wirken and Juliana Ladd. They stand to the side of the stage and interpret dialogue and lyrics throughout the performance.
Some companies take that concept a step further. In early 2020, Spinning Tree Theatre incorporated ASL shadow interpretation into their production of “Girlfriend,” (with interpreters Wirken and Ladd). “This was the first time a musical in the KC metro had shadow interpreting,” said co-artistic director Andrew Grayman-Parkshurt, “which places the interpreters onstage in the action, as actors in the production."
“We try to widen the net of inclusivity each season,” said Grayman-Parkhurst. “When trying to cast a Deaf actor in a production a couple years ago, we came to realize that the opportunities have not existed locally. Because of this, Deaf families have not seen theatre as a welcoming/viable option for their children. We made several trips to Kansas School for the Deaf, even getting to see their murder mystery play! Ultimately, we were able to cast a Deaf actor in "Working" in June 2024. Currently, we're working with our interpreters to identify more young artists who might like to perform onstage.”
In August, Variety KC put on a production of “Annie” at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts which included cast members of all abilities. The show’s ASL interpreters, who worked with Conrad, were stationed front and center in the orchestra section. “It was an incredible experience,” said Grayman-Parkhurst. Deaf patrons could see the interpretation and the action on stage, “without ping-ponging through the entire evening.”
When a deaf person feels music, says sign language interpreter Amber Galloway Gallego, it interacts with their auditory cortex, and can result in an increase in dopamine. Gallego has interpreted over 400 performances and also trains others in the technique of ASL interpreting music through ASL.
Access via qualified interpreters is important to the community, “qualified” being the key term.
“Having inexperienced and/or underqualified interpreters provide the 'access' significantly impacts the quality of access and often results in not enjoying the show as I could have,” says Conrad.
ASL Interpretation is an art in itself, requiring training, sensitivity, practice, and collaboration. To interpret music or theater performances, certified interpreters usually seek specialized training. They study the script and score (often to the point of memorization), observe cast rehearsals, and practice with the other interpreters. Many have music and theater training themselves. With rock, hip-hop and other styles of music, they not only memorize the lyrics, but also the instrumental sections, so they can indicate to their audience what is happening auditorily, when no words are spoken. Often theater performances include two or more interpreters, who express dialogue and multi-voice songs through their gestures and facial expressions.
“Access is meant to empower us, lift us, and ultimately connect us,” says Conrad. “From there, we go places.”
If you’re interested in more information about the history of the deaf community, consider a visit to the Museum of Deaf History, Arts, and Culture in Olathe, Kansas. The Music Academy of Kansas City offers lessons in beginning ASL with instructor Kayla McLeod. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art presents their Deaf Cultural Festival on Sept. 15. You can also learn more through the National Theater for the Deaf, founded in 1967, which pioneered the dual-language concept of performances presented in spoken English and ASL.
