"Deanne Bray is a fresh new face who lights up the screen in every scene she's in.  Keep your 'eye' on her."

--New York Post

"A precedent-setting drama about a deaf woman starring a deaf actress...this is a story that needed to be told."

--Chicago Tribune

"This show presents a sophisticated treatment of the challenges faced by a deaf person in America."

--The Kansas City Star

"Deanne Bray is about as likeable a performer as you can find."

--The Buffalo News

"...delightful actress Deanne Bray...one of the breakout stars of the season."

--Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinal

"Bray...sparkles in terms of introducing us to Thomas...”

--Hollywood Reporter

"Bray's engaging personality comes shining through."

--The Detroit Free Press

"Deaf actress Deanne Bray is engaging in this inspiring drama..."

--TV Guide

"Bray is enormously appealing as Sue. It's her breakthrough role, and you'll see here why she won it."

--Houston Chronicle

"...Deanne Bray, one of this season's bright lights."

--Memphis Commercial Appeal

"...keep your eye on Bray, an appealing, convincing performer."

--Rocky Mountain News

"Viewers will be able to gain a finely depicted look into what it's like to live in silence."

--Asbury Park Press

My Sister in This House (DeafWest Theatre)

Reviews from famous Deaf leaders. (May 2010)

"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
Inside Deaf Culture (Harvard University Press, 2005)
Learning American Sign Language (Allyn & Bacon, 1991, 2nd ed. 2003)
Deaf in America: Voices from a Culture (Harvard University
Press, 1988)
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 Maucere
Actor/tprofessor
(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
One of the pioneers in scientific ASL research.

Sleeping Beauty Wakes (DeafWest Theatre) April 2007

"...a sultry, understated turn by Faye Dunaway look-alike Deanne Bray..."
--Bob Verini, Variety

..."Also outstanding is Deanne Bray, whose signing as the Bad Fairy is absolutely magnetic. Bray dominates the stage in the Bad Fairy's rockin' evil number, Uninvited; her presence would captivate even in silence."
--Sharon Perlmutter, Talkin Broadway

"...Director-choreographer Jeff Calhoun creates worlds we are, at evening's end, reluctant to leave.... Most mesmerizing is Deanne Bray, who plays the somewhat-stern clinic director and the rubber-faced Bad Fairy richly and enchantingly. So we are late in noticing that Bray never speaks. Her roles are voiced by Erika Amato, whose singing instrument is astonishingly, gloriously full-bodied and whose characterizations are crisp and witty; they are two fine actors, magnificently paired here.
--Dany Margolies, Backstage West (Critic's Pick)

"Numerous characters in "Sleeping Beauty Wakes," as per Deaf West Theatre's company style, are acted and signed by one while being spoken and sung by another. The melding of performances is seamless… Their specialty is character songs: Bray and Amato out-wicked "Wicked" in just two menacing numbers, "Uninvited" and "Wheel Goes Round."
--Bob Verini, Variety

The House of Bernarda Alba (DeafWest Theatre)

"The House of Bernarda Alba, Phyllis Frelich is a solid, oppressive presence as the sadistically strict mother, Bernarda, and Deanne Bray's earthy, rebellious Adela sparks a suitable challenge. Their fiery portrayals blaze much brighter than the rest of the cast.... Linda Bove is both comical and no-nonsense as Bernarda's servant, but as the other daughters, Antoinette Abbamonte, Margaret Arnold, Freda Norman and Cami Varela, are overwhlemed by Frelich and Bray."
"...Bray's every movement expresses carnal liberation and the sensual joy of love."
--Jana J. Monji, LA Times (May 14, 1999)

"...The youngest daughter, Adela (played with passion by raven-haired beauty Deanne Bray), holds a secret that will soon tear the family apart."
--Miriam Jacobson, LA Weekly (Picks of the week)

Road to Revolution (DeafWest Theatre)

"... Deanne Bray gives a dynamic and powerful performance."
--Pat Taylor, The Tolucan Times (April 6, 2001)