Giving Thanks

The holiday season is upon us. Gifts - parties - cards - checking our lists twice to make sure we've gotten everything done in time for Santa to do his yearly rounds.

It is also the time of the year where many people give to charities and funds. In consideration of the American holiday of Thanksgiving coming up soon, I would like to share a moment to list the the things I"m grateful for:

- Sign Language Interpreted performances, no matter how few there are out there. The fact alone that they continue to exist and bring joys to hundreds of Deaf theatre patrons brings happy memories of seeing my first interpreted Broadway (touring) musical at Disney's The Lion King.

- Captioned film showings * as well as captioned live performances *. We've come a long way from captioned television to the continuing campaign to caption the Internet.

- Organizations and agencies that promote access to the arts for persons with disabilities including the Deaf; from Theatre Development Fund in New York to VSA Arts and its chapter affliates and everything in between as well as our sister organizations over the pond.

- Scripts (when I can get my hands on them) and CD insert booklets with song lyrics. They have proven invaluable from time to time in terms of preparation.

In short, I would like to thank all the sign language interpreters, captioners, professionals, advocates, allies and audiences everywhere - you know who you are. Keep up the hard work!

 To honor those who have shown their passion for the arts to ensure access for everyone by going above and beyond, I plan to give back to the arts community to keep the circle moving. (cue "Circle of Life" from the musical The Lion King here). I ask you to do the same - whether to a local theatre organization, or a 'Send a Child to the Theater' program, or any arts access organization - be sure to keep the circle moving.

Thank you.




*For our non-American readers, please consult the Schedules tab to find your captioned showings