It's been quite awhile since I have posted a blog.
This is what I have been to...
I decided to apply for Gallaudet University and was accepted in the Masters program studying Sign Language Teaching. Most of the students are ASL instructors for K-12 students and Universities. I wanted to use this for the media, ASL Literature and possibly for DHH children as an ASL specialist. I started studying for Gallaudet in June 2012. I am expected to graduate in July 2013. It requires 4 semesters (two summers on campus in Washington D.C. and online courses during the fall and spring semesters). I was able to roll up my sleeves to get set up in my acting career while studying online in Los Angeles, California.
As of right now, I have a new manager and commercial agent! I have received 4 A+ and the rest were A's. Kyra has been supportive of her mom being in school. Troy has been an exceptional Mr. Mom and husband while he blew people's mind doing his gig of the stage play, Cyrano, as Cyrano with The Fountain Theater. Kyra and I still commit to our 1-hour bed time readings at 7:30 PM in midst of my busy schedule. Kyra still loves to read and is making new friends at her new school in LA and of course she misses her old friends from her old school in Arizona. You might wonder what will become of Kyra when she grows up... She says she wants to be a pop star, a professional rollerskater which she is made into dolls for people to buy and cherish, and a teacher.
In April, Troy will be going to New York City for 4 days to read for New York Theatre Workshop with hopes of someone to bring Cyrano to New York. I am in preproduction with a Sue Thomas: FBEye movie which we hope to shoot at the end of this year. I am also doing a role for In Other Words, which should start shooting this May.
I just shot with 2BrokeGirls as a Guest Star and it will air on February 25, 2013 on CBS. It was a joy to get to know Missi Pyle and to be able to see her sing at Rockwell during the middle of shooting nights of 2BrokeGirls. Missi Pyle will play as a guest star as well. Her role is hilarious. She plays as Charity, Caroline's rich aunt. The whole cast were amazing. It was an honor to work with Michael Patrick King and Fred Savage directing.
I will start as an intern teaching one class at a community college at the end of February to complete a course that Gallaudet University requires.
I do have a lot on my plate but life is short. When there are opportunities in front of me, I need to grab them when I can.
Have a wonderful Valentine's!
Deanne
Reading books.
Written by Deanne Bray
Wednesday, 30 November 2011 06:52
A friend of mine, Donna VanLiere, wrote "Christmas Note" and it is out on bookshelves right now. I hope you will be able to get one and enjoy her book. A couple of years ago I read, The Christmas Secret and it was home to me.
A powerful video about Domestic Violence and the social media movement to end violence against women.
TEDxIslay
Written by Deanne Bray
Wednesday, 27 April 2011 00:11
Hello friends,
I had to keep this a secret for TEDxIslay but now I can announce that I was one of the 10 speakers on April 23, 2011 in Northridge, CA. It was TED's second year of using Deaf speakers. It was a spectacular experience to being able to have the opportunity to share my view as a working actress and to learn other views from the 9 fabulous speakers. Stay tuned for the video with captions and voice over, which will be out soon.
Deanne
Louise Battler's website. Literacy of Deaf children and support for families
Written by Deanne Bray
Friday, 11 March 2011 16:09
From Louise Battler's website. Please visit Signing Families and check out her website.
See the difference? The Pearls Affair is an exclusive event solely for the wonderful ladies of The Pearls Collection. We are very excited to announce that there will be an all Deaf team on that day such as:
Mistress of Ceremony: Deanne Bray
Photographer: Tate Tullier
Videographer: Laura Harvey
Caterer: Matthew Baker, Feast on This Catering
Printer: Jeff Bravin, ASD PrintWorks
Servers: TBA
On the following day, June 5th of 2011, will be the Meet and Greet The Pearls event. Parents, leaders, signers, friends, family members, and community members are more than welcome to attend by being a supporter. In case you are wondering where the proceeds will go to…it covers all of the event’s expenses, Pearls’ airfares, and most of all, push the possibility of having a second round of The Pearls. In other words, there will be a whole new group of Deaf Women being selected for the second time around!
We hope to see you there on June 5th, 2011. For inquiries, please reach us at
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.
Hi, my name is Kyra. Whoa, Clerc's Children is a BEAUTIFUL idea! And what you can do is vote! Please! Awwlright!
For Californias, ACTION ALERT: NO on AB2072
Written by Deanne Bray
Wednesday, 11 August 2010 21:14
Information from Tina Jo Breindel
ACTION ALERT: NO on AB2072
The Senate Appropriations Committee met last Monday and voted to put AB2072 in the suspense file. That is good news.
HOWEVER, Appropriations staff and Senate Leadership Team will meet this coming Thursday, August 12 to decide which bills will stay on suspense and which bills to send to the Senate floor for a full vote. If AB2072 stays on suspense, it will become a dead bill and our Deaf Community will have won our opposition against this bill. If AB2072 is sent to Senate for a vote, then our fight continues.
Your involvement is crucial right NOW! We need you to contact two senators who are on the Senate Leadership Team to tell them that you do NOT support AB2072 and ask that they keep the bill in suspense. We also need you to show up in Sacramento at the Capital this coming Thursday at 9AM, ready to fight if the bill is taken out of suspense. Please visit www.dcara.org/ab2072 for details of the exact meeting place.
Call your Senators NOW (Wednesday and Thursday) to tell them that you do NOT support AB2072 and ask that they keep this flawed bill on suspense!
Senator Christine Kehoe: (916) 651-4039
Senator Darrell Steinberg: 916-651-4006. (The number listed is his fax.)
It is fairly simple as you dial the phone number, say you oppose AB2072, give your zip code and full name. That is about it. The line might be busy as we try to flood senators w our opposition!
I am very proud to announce that Troy Kotsur, my husband, got the job in directing a movie, Deaf Ghost. I would love for your support in spreading the word. Go ahead and join the mailing list so you can get updates of what is happening with Deaf Ghost and Troy. Troy has a great team that he will be working with.
Sign up and stay tuned
Email to
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Write in the subject heading: DEAF GHOST MAILING LIST
You will be on the mailing list to receive updates about the film, DEAF GHOST, currently in development.
Screenplay by Paul Raci and Angela Murphy.
Director: Troy Kotsur
Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye marathon on GMC
Written by Deanne Bray
Tuesday, 29 June 2010 19:06
‘Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye’ marathon on GMC on Independence Day, July 4th! Beginning at 9am with the first episode, watch a total of 17 hours of your favorite episodes. GMC is on DirecTV channel 338, FiOs 224, Sky Angel 117 and local cable in the United States. You can also watch every week Monday through Thursday at 8pm at GMC.
THEY’RE HERE! All of the 'Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye' episodes are now available on official DVDs!
Five Volumes – 55 episodes plus the 2-hour pilot! They are in widescreen for the first time and have closed captioning. They are Region One (US and Canada).
They are not in stores – in the US, you can purchase them online here. In Canada, call 1-800-682-8748.
Also FYI - In the US, 'Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye' airs on the GMC (on many cable systems and on Direct TV channel 338) Monday-Thursday at 8pm and on the American Life Network Monday-Friday at 7pm.
Enjoy!
Fundraising event for KodaWest!
Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 02 June 2010 03:50
We are honoring and recognizing 9 amazing individuals/businesses who have helped us along the way. Without them, we would not have been as successful as we have been thus far.
Maisha Franklin Marcy Woodard Dyan Kovacs Lisa Price Joe Sanders Warren Fujimori Sprint Relay DeafNation Greenelight Foundation
Andy Anderson will be our handsome host!
Francine Stern and John Arce (CODAs) will be our auctioneers.
Mary Rappazzo has painted a unique masterpiece that captures the essence of the CODA/KODA culture.
Sherry Hicks a re-known CODA performer
and
Troy Kotsur a deaf actor, will highlight the evening with spectacular showcases.
We have 5 KODA Teens who will be our proud servers for the evening!
A Weekend in the Mountains, and a Palm Springs Getaway are the two hottest items on the Live Auction table.
Please remember, all of the donations received that evening will go to support the much needed programs that KODAWest offers to our KODA-blended families such as KODA camps, workshops for Teens, Parent Forums, mentor programs, and other expenses which are needed for this grassroots organization to thrive!
Your support will go a long way! We hope to see you all there. If you aren't able to attend, please consider donating through PayPal, or mail a check. 3727 W. Magnolia Blvd., #273 Burbank, CA 91505. Further details can be found on our website, www.kodawest.org.
If you have already made your contributions, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
Lisa, Lauren, and Kavita
Seeds for Tomorrow a benefit for kodawest Join us for an evening extraordinaire… June 5, 2010 6 pm - midnight
at the home of brent & kate nelson 5603 amorita place • woodland hills • ca 91367
indulge yourself in the presence of good company and asl artistry
checks payable to: kodawest 3727 w. magnolia blvd., #273 • burbank, ca 91505 or through paypal: www.kodawest.org rsvp's appreciated:
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If you are unable to attend, but would like to make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.kodawest.org and click on the donation button through PayPal.
Comment from my dad on My Sister in This House.
Written by Deanne Bray
Saturday, 29 May 2010 14:52
Well my baby if I may still call you that, I watched a grown and sophisticated actress in a play the other night do a job better than I have witnessed many others who have years well beyond your life span doing what you do. Your work was excellent and your interpretation of what you were portraying was deep and full of understanding.
I once stood by camera watching Katherine Hepburn in scene. It was the movie “Guess who’s coming to dinner.” It was Christmas and everyone was cheerful and before her scene, she was going around the set giving gifts and generally being delightful. The backing in the shot depicted San Francisco as I remember but the important thing was, she took her position before the camera and the cheerfulness went away. She was to look very sad, broken hearted. As I watched she transformed into a person with such emotional pain that I had to look away. I could not look at her. She was so intense and powerful in her character. My heart was breaking just observing this wonderful actress doing her work. There were many years of training being displayed.
I watched my little girl do a job that was every bit as powerful and painful as I have ever observed in the forty five years of watching someone like Hepburn. I would add that your entire cast did a magnificent job and although I did not enjoy the ending of the show as it did not depict a pleasurable topic, I appreciated it as a valuable piece of work from all of you. The two friends that were with me are actors of stage and screen and they were amazed at the power and intensity of the show. They are still talking about the really fantastic work you and your fellow cast-mates delivered. I am so proud of you and thrilled at the work all of you did. Congratulations to you and all of the folks at Deaf West. What a wonderful display of talent.
I have enjoyed watching a good number of performances at Deaf West, and there will have to be something really very special to top this work. You have truly outdone yourselves.
I will talk to you after you have finished. You must come and have coffee with me and meet Dawn and Ed as they do so wish to meet you. Even more so now.
P.S. Troy sure looked the handsome devil standing up there on his perch. I thought at the time that he could play a great Abe Lincoln. All he needed was a tall top hat as he looked huge standing there like a large animated statue. Give him a hug for me... Love you both and gramp’s baby as well.
Love, Dad
My Sister in This House: Comments from colleagues.
Written by Deanne Bray
Tuesday, 25 May 2010 03:43
Deanne!!!! I saw the show last night. Omg!!! It was the BEST show I ever saw at DWT. You were awesome!!! So were Amber, Maman and Isabelle! I cried often. I continued to cry afterwards!!!! I wanted so bad to stay after the show to see you and tell you in person but I had to pick up my girls who were at their own school play Bye Bye Birdie. I loved your work. Loved the translations and sign choices from that era. Wow! Your performance was outstanding!!! I felt your every emotion!!! It was hard to watch too. I can see why it was suggested that my girls not see this show. Thank you for that warning. I agree it's a bit much for them!! Wow. I'm still reeling!! I also LOVED (and have always been a fan of since I set my foot on stage) the voices OFF stage!! Concentration was sooo much better!!!!! Loved it! I'm so proud of you!!! It shows how much work you put into your character, as well as the cast!! It was phenomenol!! Oxoxoxoxo.
--Lisa Chahayed ASL instructor
“Wendy Kesselman’s adaptation of her own play achieved something rare in theater: it preserved what was emotional and provocative in the original, but changed it in a way to add a fresh dimension. The incorporation of deaf actors in her adaptation was seamless. Deanne Bray and Amber Zion were so deftly written into the narrative, it was as if the play had always been written for them. The tension between the women of the house (who are hearing) and their housemaids (who are deaf) lost none of its potency in this adaptation.”
--Carol Padden Writer (co-author with husband) A Basic Course in American Sign Language (TJ Publishers, 1980) Learning American Sign Language (Allyn & Bacon, 1991, 2nd ed. 2003) Deaf in America: Voices from a Culture (Harvard University Press, 1988) Inside Deaf Culture (Harvard University Press, 2005) Deaf in America: Voices from A Culture Padden's PhD dissertation on American Sign Language morphology and syntax (1988)
"One of my favorite productions of Deaf West Theatre's. Great chemistry, especially between the two sisters and between the mother and daughter. I was transfixed by the story and enjoyed the unexpected ending . The play spoke of the truth, each actor was authentic in their roles. Great directing! The set design was fabulous. I appreciate that the ASL translation reflected its era. The entire ensemble created a terrific masterpiece!"
--John and Lauren Maucere Actor/teacher (Deafywood.com)
"I was deeply impressed by the two Deaf actresses, Deanne Bray and Amber Zion. I was fascinated by the idea of using "captions" on the wall for the hearing actresses' lines.
It was interesting to see how the story was adapted from poor vs rich, quiet vs blabbermouth, privileged vs underpriviliged to Hearing vs Deaf.
Deanne and Amber ROCK!!!!"
--Ella Mae Lentz (Deaf Poet, ASL instructor in Berkeley, CA, and one of the pioneers in scientific ASL research.)
Troy in FBEye on GMC May 19th
Written by Aamir
Wednesday, 19 May 2010 02:32
Tune in and support Troy Kotsur, my husband, in Sue Thomas: Fbeye airing on GMC on Wednesday (May 19). The episode is called "The Signing"
