It’s been almost a month since I last posted something here and about 4 weeks since my final performance with Tribes. Just the day after my final performance, I was already back at my day job at the office and it got busy there since. I haven’t had the time to actually settle down yet. I admit started to feel the “post performance blues”. I’m not even sure how else to call this but that’s what it was. I started to feel more of it during the night of the Winnipeg Theatre Awards this year. It was great to see people again and meet new people at the awards night. The blues, feeling, thingy wasn’t a sad-like feeling. Probably a bittersweet feeling. The experience performing on stage may be something I’d like to pursue further. So, I’ll be on a look out for other opportunities.
About my role as Billy, a Deaf character in Tribes, I’d have to say I’m grateful for this opportunity. It’s not often Deaf actors and given the role of Deaf characters. When I got the part, I gave everything I could and my best to learn the skills, rehearse, rehearse and rehearse (basically, repeat, repeat, repeat) before the Opening Night of my professional debut on Saturday, October 21, 2017. I’ve learned a lot about theatre based on just this one show with the artistic director, stage managers, cast and everyone else involved. I thank them for their patience and support with me on this. It was great to meet new people and friends throughout. So, I am eager to pursue further into this by taking trainings and continue making sketches with 100 Decibels.
With my Tribes experience aside, I came across a video about Cultural Appropriation. This got me thinking about my role as a Deaf character in theatre. I have read and seen news about Deaf roles being taken by non-Deaf actors/actresses especially when it comes to use of signed languages. With my involvement here in the Winnipeg theatre community, I don’t see other Deaf performers involved except for 100 Decibels. With the lack of Deaf performers in theatre, this is where we start to connect with the community and educate others about Deaf culture, ASL, and more importantly to portray our skills as performers. This is how we work together to by building relationships within the theatre and art communities. With no Deaf people involved, this increases the risk of the lack of representation for the Deaf community in the Winnipeg theatre community. From what I have seen, the theatre community is a separate community apart from the Deaf community. This is where 100 Decibels comes in the picture. We are all Deaf and we can collaborate with others. We have performed, made people laugh and cry because they were sad or probably because they had to pee so bad.
For this to happen, I believe it’s important to have the support of the Deaf community and its allies for 100 Decibels to be able to showcase the theatre and performing arts community that there are talented Deaf people who are eager to show their creativity and provide something new for the audience. With this experience and new skills I have learned, I look forward to creating more sketches with 100 Decibels soon in the future!