Deaf West Theatre Company

Deaf West Theatre has established the following three major programs:deaf West's residential Theatre (since 1991) produces 1-3 main stage productions annually. Past productions have featured classics, contemporary, adaptations and original works. Experienced and professional Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing actors, directors, designers and technicians comprise their casts and crews. Sets, lighting and costume designs exhibit a high standard of excellence, as the visual element in sign language Theatre demands utmost attention to visual aesthetic values. Deaf West's productions are presented in american sign language (asl) and spoken english simultaneously. Captioning is also provided for hearing and non-signing members of the audience. Deaf West's children's Theatre (since 1992) consists of a series of 12-week workshops in schools throughout southern California. At the conclusion of the workshop, the children perform for friends, faculty and families. At least one main-stage children's Theatre play is produced per season (one of the 3 productions per season). A saturday morning asl story telling workshop for the Deaf and hearing parents and children began on july 2000.deaf West's performing arts center for Deaf and hard of hearing artists adds an array of professional training workshops in Theatre arts toward the goal of attaining employment in the entertainment industry. The workshop addresses the specific needs of Deaf and hard of hearing artists.