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.
‘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.
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:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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.
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.
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.)
Cheyenne Venema: I got to experience "My Sister In This House" this past Saturday (May 8)... and I must say that I was completely astounded by the entire production. I have never been so moved emotionally (fear, anger, sympathy) or physically (heart pounding!) because the performances of the actors were unequal to anything I've experienced before. I've become a recent fan of Deanne and I was totally blown away by her ability to transform into Christine and show every facet of the character. Truly and Oscar deserving perfomance if I ever saw one!
Deanne Bray: This is so nice to read this. Thank you! We all worked hard on the show and each of us have grown so much into our characters and are developing a stronger relationship with one another. Amazing experience and each night is a different show! I really feel that this production deserves a Best Ensemble Award.
Lanzee Veurink: Deanne, Last night (May 9), I saw a powerful and compelling play at DeafWest theatre. I can't imagine for you to do a very difficult task for playing for an amazing role. I don't dare to do this like you because of my Christian beliefs but knowing that it's important for people to see it. I give you a round of applause! (hands flying) I loved the best seat (second row - right end) I got cuz it's a perfect seat to see everything. Everything is real! I'd love to meet you in person after play but I knew that you wiped out and wanted to go home to be with ur family. U are the Best!!
Deanne Bray: Thank you for saying this. Originally, I didn't think I could do this and was afraid of Christine. I realized that I judged her. The way Wendy Kesselman wrote this play was to hope for the audience to not judge the sisters so harshly and to try to see a bigger picture of what they've gone through in terms of isolation and abuse. Humans have a strong need for being connected and are designed to need each other.
Hi Deanne!
Awesome May 13th... "My Sister In This House"... I was hoping to see you after the play last night but know you must have been wiped out! I understand! smile...
But I need to say it is a heartfelt and brave thing you did in doing this challenging character as a older sister. Both of you and Amber- (you and your younger sister) did an awesome job to show how so many factors with this difficult life facing incest, with intense love for each other, how anger was built from Christine's upbringing from a neglected or unfair parent. This anger can be evolved and get mixed into a confusing relationship of what is really a "TRUE LOVE" means... I hope many viewers, who watch this play, can learn and reflect on their lives how powerful "unconditional love" is a needed in all relationships.
Wow wanted to say awesome, sis! It's educational for many who I brought to see this play!
I hope many would see this play... I am impressed with how accessible it is for all audience- ASL, Voice over and Captioned... I hope an award would be given for this play and for you and your younger sister!
Hey, from the DCARA community forum, a rep of KPFA Radio heard a topic, Deafhood would be addressed that got her interested to attend, and is doing a show TODAY.
Tell your hearing friends to tune in to challenge their ear-to-mind connection. In a 30-minute segment on KPFA as part of their Pushing Limits program, they will blast:
“AB 2072 and the Battle for ASL” with Butch Zein, Organizing Chair of the Deafhood Foundation; Jim Brune and Tanja Bierschneider of DCARA; Rory Ostrink, the second person to have a cochlear implant in the U.S.
Friday, May 7 from 2:30 – 3 pm on KPFA 94.1 fm (Yes, a transcript will be available half hour after the program!!)
More information about how you and your friends can help, link www.opposeAB2072.com. Thanks!!
It's the bill AB2072 that AGB and its allies have been pushing to the floor this Thursday for CA Assembly members to vote. This bill will push to oral training over ASL in CA and don't give fair info on communication options. What s more this bill may means that CSDR and CSDF cldnt do outreach program because it cost to state. They (the supporters of this bill) will provide info for free and no charge to State or any State agencies (CSDR and CSDF) in which means no more deaf kids attending CSDF/CSDR in long run.
We all have been fighting and need u to spread the news To your friends immediately to go to www.assembly.ca.gov.
Click on " my district" on ur left side and type in your address and zip code
Then u ll see the screen where it shows who your Assembly member and Senator are
Click on "contact me" button and type your address, etc
Check "oppose" button
Type in box on the bottom of the page just like this or copy and paste.
AB 2072 Mendoza-OPPOSED
I oppose this bill for the following reasons:
It is inherently biased.
Unequally represents communication options for parents on the brochures.
The authoring of this bill didn't include Deaf Community Stakeholders/Taxpayers.
The Audiologists are not trained to provide the information equally on the communication options including American Sign Language.
Here is an interview I did while I was rehearsing My Sister in This House. There is violence, and at the last minute, partial nudity with dim lights was added. Deafwest announced that it's a play for age 13 and older. I DISAGREE! I feel strongly that it's for those who are 18 or older unless they are with their parents in order to discuss about this play with them.
Thanks to the support of the fans, ALL the episodes of ‘Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye’ are going to be released on DVD!
4 more volumes, beginning in May – all with CC and in widescreen!
And if you've already bought vol. 1 - or buy it before May 1st – for a limited time, you will get a discount on the 'completer' set (a boxed set of vols. 2-5).
Go here to order yours – in Canada, call 1-800-682-8748 (V)
I'm flying up to San Fransisco on January 29th along with amazing women;
Sheri Farinha (NorCal Deaf Center and Deaf politician/advocate) Roz Rosen (CSUN NCOD and former President of NAD and administrator at Gallaudet University) Karen Wilson (San Diego Deaf Mental Health Services and Asian Deaf Advocate) Terrylene Sachhetti (Actress) Sharon Dror (President of National Deaf Jewish Org) Julie Rems-Smario (Founder and Executive Director of DeafHope)
We will have some creativity with artwork with an artist, Nora Scully. We will do something like what this website is doing... http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~nscully/itec745/final/ She will do a sculpture piece with all of us!
This is the only comprehensive American Sign Language DVD series for pregnant deaf women and their support teams. Includes more than 7 hours of video and a 100 word glossary.
Thanks to the support of the fans, ALL the episodes of ‘Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye’ are going to be released on DVD!
