Warren Arts Foundation Staging Play For Those Hard Of Hearing

The deaf and hard of hearing will have an opportunity Saturday to enjoy a Warren Arts Foundation production.

Executive Director Sheri Denning said the organization has partnered with with Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, a performance of “Walk Don’t Ride! A Celebration of the Fight for Inequality.”

“They are providing two ASL interpreters so that folks who are in our community or in our surrounding community who are deaf and hard of hearing and do have American Sign Language Skills will be able to watch it in its entirety,” Denning said.

The play with music tells the story of the Civil Rights movement of the 1950’s and 60’s. Denning said interpreters will stand on each edge of the stage signing the dialogue.

“They have received a copy of the script and music and narration that we use, and they have been rehearsing together to be able to keep up with the flow of the show,” Denning said. “We have been working together on it for about two weeks now.”

Denning said this is the first time the foundation has hosted a play accommodating the hard of hearing. Denning said Bridges based in Nashville has increased outreach to rural communities to provide equal access.

“We are really thrilled to be able to provide that,” Denning said. “That group has been working hard on advocacy for the deaf and hard of hearing with our rural communities especially making sure that there is access for this performance. Just recently they have partnered with our cities and counties in the area to make sure the movies in the parks are closed caption.”

Denning said she hopes this is the first of many more opportunities. Denning said tickets can be purchased at the doors an hour before the 7:00 p.m. show or online.