A DEAF BROADWAY Production
of Stephen Sondheim's
COMPANY
in American Sign Language
at LINCOLN CENTER
DAMROSCH STAGE
August 2, 2023 - 8:00 pm
This PERFORMANCE is Dedicated
to the memory of Lewis Merkin
(1955-2022)
Running time: 105 minutes with no intermission.
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We hope you enjoy tonight's free performance and would like to see more from Deaf Broadway!
To support this company, our artists, and help us continue to create exciting and authentically Deaf work in the future, we hope you'll consider making a donation. We are a very small organization, so every little bit goes a long way! To do so, you can use the Venmo code shown here. Anything you can give is immensely appreciated and, again, we are incredibly grateful for your support. Thank you in advance! |
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The cast
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Jules Dameron (Harry) he/him – Jules is a deaf trans and gay film & theatre actor, director & writer with a B.A. in TV/Cinema at Gallaudet University and an MFA in Film Production/Directing at USC. Jules played notable roles in Romeo and Juliet, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Les Misérables. Jules directed projects from music videos to webseries. One of which was “Møkkakaffe” a TV series in Oslo, Norway (NRK), and ASL videos for Sesame Street, of which he won a Telly award. Jules is the writer/director of the upcoming feature film, Deaf President Now. www.julesdameron.com
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Dickie Hearts (Lenny/Andy) he/him – Dickie Hearts is a Deaf, gay, multiracial actor. His TV credits include a recurring role on Netflix’s “Tales of the City” (2019), a supporting role on HBO’s “High Maintenance” (2020), and a guest-starring role on Netflix’s “Grace & Frankie” (2017). Stage credits include his Off-Broadway debut in "Dark Disabled Stories" (2023) at Public Theater, which he received his first Lucille Lortel award nomination. New York Deaf Theatre’s "Maple & Vine," IRT’s “Stepchild," "Please Untranslate Me," and “Trash." Dickie Hearts continues to push for more Deaf, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC visibility and representation onstage and onscreen. Hearts is a Disability Futures Fellowship ‘22 recipient and is repped by Nicolosi & Co.
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Andrew Morrill (Paul) he/him – Andrew is thrilled to be part of Deaf Broadway. NEW YORK credits include SheNYCArts: DANCING GIRLS (Quasimodo), JACK NY: TRASH (Tim), IRT Theatre: PLEASE UNTRANSLATE ME (Researcher). REGIONAL: Deaf West/Getty Villa: OEDIPUS, Olney Theatre Center: THE MUSIC MAN, Phamaly Theatre: THE CHRISTIAND, Mosaic Theatre Company: QUIF PRO QUO; dog & pony DC: Seven Stages. Direction of ASL credits include GREY HOUSE (Broadway), DARK DISABLED STORIES (Bushwick Starr/Public Theater). EDUCATION: MFA in Acting from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
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Hector Reynoso (Larry) he/him/él – Hector RJ Reynoso has performed in a number of productions at Deaf Broadway, Synetic Theater, Deaf Festival Kentucky, Capital Fringe Festival, Rustaveli Theater in Republic of Georgia, and New York Deaf Theatre. He won a Helen Hayes award for outstanding ensemble, and he was nominated for an actor in Goya's in the HOUSE OF THE DEAF MAN in 2008 at Carnegie Mellon University, and Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region II/Gallaudet University production. On film, he played all roles in one actor's play in A Christmas Carol for New York Deaf Theatre.
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Raquel McPeek Rodriguez (Susan/Soloist) she/her – Raquel McPeek Rodriguez, a Latina Deaf actress, born in Guatemala and raised in LA; started acting when she was 8, she took the stage, performing for skits and school plays until she went on to Major in Theater at CSUN. There she booked her lead role in ELECTRICIDAD and was recognized for her performance by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Irene Ryan. Soon after graduating, she started booking roles on TV, such as Beyond (Freeform), Pretty Little Liars (Freeform), Speechless (ABC), Chicago Med (NBC) with Deaf Talent actor Joey Caverly (and director of Deaf Broadway’s COMPANY), and most recently landed the guest star role of Sienna on NCIS: Los Angeles. Now she’s back again performing for theatre through Deaf Broadway and she could not be happier!
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Jackie Roth (Joanne) she/her – Jackie’s bilingual and bicultural background supported her work in both deaf and hearing businesses. Today, she sells residential properties and is with Corcoran. Since the pandemic, she’s reentered the entertainment field as an actor through Deaf Broadway, doing a zoom performance after a hiatus of more than 10 years. Born to deaf parents, she was raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. NYC has been her backdrop but became more of a passion after she volunteered as a first responder at Ground Zero. Since then, she never left downtown. Jackie constantly changed with the times having witnessed a complete transformation in the deaf community. As the person who strategized and promoted the Deaf President Now movement to victory, she is at the top of her game paving way for new directions between diverse groups.
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Zavier Sabió (Peter) he/him – Zavier Sabió is a proud graduate of Gallaudet University and the Fashion Institute of Technology. He's the host of ASL Slam NYC, and he’s a teaching artist at the Brooklyn Museum. When he’s not too busy, he enjoys reading fashion and sneaker blogs, visiting art exhibitions, dining, shopping, travelling, and having a glass of cognac. He currently lives in Brooklyn, and he hopes to become a full-time creative in the art, fashion, and entertainment industry.
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Neil Sprouse (David) he/him – DEAF BROADWAY: COMPANY (David) SWEENEY TODD (Beadle) REGIONAL: IRT Theatre: PLEASE UNTRANSLATE ME (Sommelier/Professor) Faction of Fools: A COMMEDIA CHRISTMAS CAROL (Tiny Tim/Ensemble) VIRTUAL: WOOLLY MAMMOTH’S TEENAGE DICK (Richard Gloucester) DASL: RICHARD III (Public Theater) CAPTIVE AUDIENCE (New York Deaf Theatre)
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Christopher Tester (Jamie/Theo) he/him – Off-Broadway: Twelfth Night (ensemble member). Regional: Zach Theatre: Cinderella (Lord Pinkleton); Olney Theatre Center: The Music Man (Winthrop Paroo/Oliver Hix/Understudy Harold Hill); Arkansas Rep: The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (John Singer); Lyric Theatre: The Fiddler on the Roof (Perchik). NY Deaf Theatre (Captive Audience, Beyond Therapy, and Sign Me Alice). Works as an ASL & BSL consultant and interpreter with different productions, including the US premiere of Constellations. Rep. by DGRW.
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Heba Toulan (Sarah/Marta) she/her – Heba Toulan hails from Washington, D.C. area and lives in Houston. Her credits include Olivia for TWELFTH NIGHT, Hecate for MACBETH at the Woodlands Arts in the Park and Shakespeare in the Shade, Deaf Broadway's ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, and LES MISÉRABLES, She recently starred in SENSES, Bailey’s Voice, Compromised Experiment, You're Home, and The Window Washer. An accomplished model, Heba has modelled for over 10 brands, and walked for a number of designers. She can be found behind a book, or fostering great pyrenees. Her web site is www.hebatoulan.com. Catch her next in Deaf Austin Theatre’s THE LARAMIE PROJECT!
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Garrett Zuercher (Robert/Producer) he/him - A profoundly Deaf theater and film artist and award-winning playwright with an MFA from Hunter College, class of 2022, Garrett is the founding artistic director of Deaf Broadway. This year, he was awarded a residency commission from The Shed to create an original narrative piece about the lives and work of Deaf artists, which will be produced on their mainstage in the summer of 2024. His most recent short film, “Flirting (With Possibilities)” continues to garner honors at festivals around the world. Dedicated to bringing authentic Deaf and ASL artistry to the mainstream, he continues to advocate for awareness and representation. He is repped by Gray Talent Group. For more, please visit garrettzuercher.com.
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CREATIVES/CREW
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James Caverly (Director) he/him – James is an actor, director, playwright, and Director of Artistic Sign Language. He has performed in CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD at Studio 54. Regional credits include: Olney Theatre Center, Huntington Theatre Co., Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Studio Theatre, Kitchen Theatre Company, and SpeakEasy Stage Co. He has directed works for Gallaudet University, Kent State University, New York Deaf Theatre, and Mosaic Theatre Co. He also appeared in Hulu’s Only Murders In The Building as Theo Dimas.
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Kailyn Aaron-Lozano (DASL - Director of ASL) she/her – Kailyn is a multi-talented DASL/educator with a wide range of interests. This South Central Los Angeles native holds a History degree from California State University, Northridge, and two Masters from Gallaudet University in Deaf Studies and Sign Language Education. ASL translation with music is her love, and she has worked in Theatre: Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA at the Zach Theatre; MY ONLINESS at New Ohio Theatre NYC; TV/Film: Washington Black (unreleased TV Series) - Hulu, Sesame Street: American Sign Language (ASL) Series - Sesame Street Workshop, Reverse Polarity (web series) - DPAN TV. She has co-authored a chapter entitled "Sign Language Music Videos: Language Preservation or Appropriation?" in The Routledge Companion to Art and Disability. Her ambition is to see sign language inclusion in everyday life. Instagram: @k.aaronlozano.
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Miriam Rochford (Stage Manager) she/her – Miriam is a founding member of Deaf Broadway, which kept her sane during the COVID quarantine in 2020. A proud Equity stage manager, Miriam's credits run the gamut from opera to circus to off-Broadway and beyond. She is happiest when working with brilliant creatives, particularly in Deaf and disabled spaces.
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Dana Zolli (Production Assistant/Prop Master) she/her – Dana Zolli is excited to join the team at Deaf Broadway. Her first love has always been the stage, and a production in high school of “SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM” including the songs of COMPANY inspired that. Past professional theatre credits: SWEENEY TODD / Deaf Broadway (ASM), ROMANTIC FOOLS / NYDT (Voice Coach), and SYLVIA / NYDT (Assistant Director). Film / Television work includes: 30 Rock, Lady Bird, Younger, The Sinner, Bros, and the upcoming season of American Horror Story.
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Stewart Caswell (Producer's Assistant/Original Captions) he/him – This is Stewart's second year with Deaf Broadway, this time being honored to delve into the world of dynamic captioning for this production. Last year he was the production assistant for SWEENEY TODD. Previously he was Mortimer in THE FANTASTICKS with Phamaly Theatre Company, which performed in Osaka, Japan, and a member of Up with People's Cast B '08.
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Annie Weigand (Lighting Consultant) she/her – Annie Wiegand is the first and only professional Deaf lighting designer in the US theatre industry. Notable designs with Playwrights Horizons (Off-Broadway), Zach Theatre, Signature Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Dallas Theater Center, Huntington Theatre Company, and Kitchen Theatre Company. Assistant Professor, Theatre and Dance Program, Gallaudet University. www.anniewiegand.com
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Kimberly Hale (Company Manager) she/her – Kimberly Hale is a Theatre Teaching Artist, Actor, Director, & an ASL-English interpreter. She is currently the Artistic Director of the NYC DOE All IN(clusive) Teen Theatre Ensemble. She was the ASL Music Coach for the Public Theater/Shakespeare In The Park hit production of TWELFTH NIGHT by Shaina Taub (New York Times Critic’s Pick). Her other theatre work includes teaching and/or interpreting for Lexington School for the Deaf, Actionplay, Epic Players, NexGen Youth Theatre, Ocean Beach Youth Group, and NYC Children’s Theater. She is thrilled to see the work of her Deaf Broadway colleagues come to life on stage again!
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Jackson Torii Bart (Dramaturg) he/they – Jackson is a dramaturg, sensitivity consultant, and producer. They are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Deaf Broadway to amplify and showcase Deaf and disabled voices in this interpretation of Sondheim’s work. Prior: HARD PLACES by Garrett Zuercher, AUNT JACK by Nora Brigid Monahan, KHAN!!! THE MUSICAL by Brent Black, FOWL PLAY by Billy Recce and Yoni Weiss.
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Deaf Broadway - Founded in artistic director Garrett Zuercher’s living room on March 22, 2020, Stephen Sondheim’s 90th Birthday, Deaf Broadway is wholly Deaf-led and Deaf-centered. Our mission is to elevate Deaf and ASL artistry created in authentically Deaf spaces and allow classic works of the American stage to be reinterpreted primarily and completely through the twin lenses of Deaf culture and American Sign Language by giving Deaf creators the support they need to realize their vision and potential. For more, please visit deafbroadway.com.
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A note from the director:
Early in 2020, COVID-19 cast a dark cloud on the world. I had just moved to NYC, sharing a house with Garrett Zuercher (who plays Bobby), and the theatre industry came to a screeching halt. But out of this veil of despair came the birth of Deaf Broadway during the early stages of lockdown.
The concept was simple: a group of volunteer actors doing a Zoom performance in tandem with a side-by-side video of the filmed performance of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. In rehearsals, we quickly discovered the joy that came with performing — the creative solutions of putting on a performance through the confines of our home and the resources available within arm’s reach. Old shirts became costumes. Blankets were backdrops. Leftover dinner were the pies of London. Through the power of Zoom technology, we were able to connect with Deaf artists in isolated pockets of the nation, and celebrate our language and art.
Sweeney Todd was followed by Into The Woods, Company, Legally Blonde, Les Misérables and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, all broadcasted live with a very limited rehearsal period. It was a beacon of light in a very turbulent time.
We are fortunate to be able to come back to Lincoln Center following our live performance of Into The Woods in the summer of 2021. With this show, I want to honor the roots of Deaf Broadway — transporting us to back to 2020 and bringing back the creative delights that originated at home for the stage. I wanted to show you what we loved to do during those early years of Deaf Broadway, and after all, “Love is Company.”
Enjoy the show!
JAMES CAVERLY
The concept was simple: a group of volunteer actors doing a Zoom performance in tandem with a side-by-side video of the filmed performance of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. In rehearsals, we quickly discovered the joy that came with performing — the creative solutions of putting on a performance through the confines of our home and the resources available within arm’s reach. Old shirts became costumes. Blankets were backdrops. Leftover dinner were the pies of London. Through the power of Zoom technology, we were able to connect with Deaf artists in isolated pockets of the nation, and celebrate our language and art.
Sweeney Todd was followed by Into The Woods, Company, Legally Blonde, Les Misérables and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, all broadcasted live with a very limited rehearsal period. It was a beacon of light in a very turbulent time.
We are fortunate to be able to come back to Lincoln Center following our live performance of Into The Woods in the summer of 2021. With this show, I want to honor the roots of Deaf Broadway — transporting us to back to 2020 and bringing back the creative delights that originated at home for the stage. I wanted to show you what we loved to do during those early years of Deaf Broadway, and after all, “Love is Company.”
Enjoy the show!
JAMES CAVERLY
Special Thanks:
Deaf Broadway wishes to thank everyone for their incredible support to help make this production happen, particularly those who generously donated time, money, and other resources. We honestly could not have done COMPANY without each and every one of you.
We are especially grateful to Hunter College, most notably Jenny Rroji, Christine Scarfuto, Gregory Mosher, and Emma Horwitz.
Joanna Ciszewska Shearer kindly created the amazing (and delicious) baked goods that appear on stage. Yes, the cakes are real and were custom-made for us!
It is not hyperbole to say that this production would not be possible without the kind and generous support of Ellen M. Krass, as well as F. Richard Pappas with the Stephen Sondheim estate. We are thrilled to be able to bring their beautiful work to a brand new audience.
Finally, we are immensely grateful for the support of those who love and support authentic Deaf and American Sign Language artistry. It is because of you that we started and also why we keep going.
Here's to many more years! Everybody rise!
We are especially grateful to Hunter College, most notably Jenny Rroji, Christine Scarfuto, Gregory Mosher, and Emma Horwitz.
Joanna Ciszewska Shearer kindly created the amazing (and delicious) baked goods that appear on stage. Yes, the cakes are real and were custom-made for us!
It is not hyperbole to say that this production would not be possible without the kind and generous support of Ellen M. Krass, as well as F. Richard Pappas with the Stephen Sondheim estate. We are thrilled to be able to bring their beautiful work to a brand new audience.
Finally, we are immensely grateful for the support of those who love and support authentic Deaf and American Sign Language artistry. It is because of you that we started and also why we keep going.
Here's to many more years! Everybody rise!