DEAF WEST THEATRE
(DWT) was founded in 1991
to directly improve and enrich the cultural lives
of the deaf
and hard
of hearing individuals who live in the Los Angeles
area. In an effort to bridge the gap between
deaf and hearing worlds,
DWT creates an
opportunity for
all artists and audiences, regardless of race,
creed or handicap, to enjoy theatre.
DWT provides
exposure
and access to professional theatre while serving
the cultural, educational, social and employment
needs of its constituents. Through the medium
of Sign Language Theatre, a legacy of deaf culture
is
created, shared and preserved. Local educational
outreach programs serve the needs of underserved
and disadvantaged youth, providing progressive
arts education for deaf and hard of hearing school
children.
Recognized as a premiere sign language theatre
in the United States,
DWT was the first
intimate theatre
company in the history of the
Ovation Awards to
win both Best Play and Best Musical in the same
year
(2000).
DWT scored another hit with
its unique adaptation of
"Big River – The
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." This
production holds the singular distinction
of being the first intimate theatre production
in
Mark Taper Forum’s history
to be transferred onto their mainstage. The production
was invited
for a special Broadway run in 2003, the first
sign language play on Broadway in over 20 years,
where
it was nominated for two
Tony® Awards.
DWT and
Center
Theatre Group will be premiering a
new sign
language musical at the
Kirk Douglas Theatre next
Spring.
www.deafwest.org
