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!
-Missy
AB2072 Radio show TODAY
Written by Deanne Bray
Friday, 07 May 2010 16:12
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!!
bill AB2072
Written by Deanne Bray
Thursday, 29 April 2010 02:52
Dear Friends of California, PLEASE READ!!!
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.
Email:
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MORE OFFICIAL ‘SUE THOMAS: F.B.EYE’ DVDS ARE COMING!
Written by Deanne Bray
Tuesday, 30 March 2010 23:04
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)
FYI – these DVDs are Region 1 (USA and Canada)
Enjoy – and spread the word!
DeafHope
Written by Deanne Bray
Monday, 25 January 2010 06:36
Hello friends!
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.
And you can watch them for the first time in widescreen!
Plus there is bonus footage of me and also of the Co-Creator of the show Dave Alan Johnson.
If these DVDs sell well, then other episodes can be released.
FYI – these DVDs are Region 1 (USA and Canada)
Enjoy the DVDs – and spread the word!
Merry Christmas!
Go see our very own Vae!
Written by Deanne Bray
Tuesday, 01 December 2009 23:51
The return of ASL Story Time
For a special performance – one day only!
Saturday, December 5th
10 – 11:30 AM
Join us for a holiday-themed ASL Story Time with many of your favorite storytellers performing well-known and much-loved children’s stories in ASL (with voice translation).
6am EST/3am PST - An interview I did will be on E!’s That Morning Show sometime between 6am-9am EST (and I think it’s 3am-6am PST).
4 & 8pm EST/1 & 5pm PST – ‘Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye’ starts to run twice a day, Monday-Friday, on Gospel Music Channel (www.gospelmusicchannel.com/suethomas )
8pm EST/PST – Should be my first episode of ‘Heroes’ on NBC!
MORE BIG NEWS:
The official ‘Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye’ DVDs are coming!
They will be available in mid-October. Watch here for more info and check out www.suethomasdvd.com .
Deaf Festival is taking place on September 26, 2009 at Woodley Park in Van Nuys, California.
Spread the word and try to go if you can!
Sue Thomas on Gospel Music Channel
Written by Deanne Bray
Saturday, 05 September 2009 15:02
‘Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye’ will be airing on Gospel Music Channel beginning Sept. 14. It will air Monday-Friday 4pm EST/1pm PST and Saturdays 8, 9 and 10pm EST/5, 6, and 7pm PST. It is on Direct TV channel 338 and on many cable systems. Tune in and enjoy!
And if you’re on Facebook, become a fan of the official ‘Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye’ page at www.facebook.com/SueThomasFBEye - and you can also follow on Twitter @SueThomasFBEye.
I would love it if you could start tuning in with Heroes on September 21st, their first airing date of the fourth season. My character will be on during episodes airing on October 5th, October 12th and October 19th. I will be in multi episodes in season 4 and I am not sure when the next few will be airing. As of now, this is a start. Also, there's a 7-year old Deaf girl, Rose Crisman, who will be on the episode of October 19th as one of the children patients background.
Update: First appearance might be on the 28th of September, please check your local listing.
October 5th (UPDATE: my character doesn't appear in this episode - Sorry!)
October 12th
October 19th
Have a great time with Heroes!
American Sign Language Story Time
Written by Deanne Bray
Wednesday, 12 August 2009 10:26
Family Focus Resource & Empowerment Center and D.eaf E.ducation A.nd F.amilies Project are presenting an ASL Story Time featuring Deanne Bray and Troy Kotsur.
What: American Sign Language Story Time "Where the Wild Things Are."
When: Saturday on September 12, 2009 at 10 AM to 11 AM
Where: Vroman's Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd Pasadena, CA 91101
Who should attend:
Everyone! Hearing, deaf, old, young, signing and nonsigners.
Hearing parents who want to see how Deaf people read with children.
Hearing parents who want to meet other parents raising Deaf or hard-of-hearing children.
Hearing families who want more interaction with Deaf people.
People who love books.
People who love to be entertained.
Deaf or hard-of-hearing children who want to meet other kids just like them.
Children and adults who want to meet well-known Deaf and hard of hearing actors
Contact info: www.vromansbookstore.com
It's free, please spread the word and come!
Opening night party at the Feel Good Film Festival
Written by Deanne Bray
Sunday, 02 August 2009 01:48
Troy and Deanne will attend at the August 9th movie viewing at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles.
Date: Friday, August 7th, 2009 Location: Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028 Times: 5PM - Red Carpet arrival begins 6PM - Opening night party with complimentary food and cocktails 8PM - Opening night screening Attendees - some celebrities including Patrick Warburton, Andy Dick, Jason Alexander, also some distributors and other industry professionals. From our film, Anthony Natale and Lupe Ontiveros are attending.
Please support Universal Signs, a ground breaking modern “silent” film, presented in mesmerizing American Sign Language (ASL) with English subtitles. The film touches the hearts and minds of hearing and Deaf audiences alike with its hopeful, uplifting story of love, connection, and forgiveness. Starring: Anthony Natale, Sabrina Lloyd, Margot Kidder, Robert Picardo, Ashlyn Sanchez, Deanne Bray, Troy Kotsur, Aimee Garcia and Lupe Ontiveros WINNER! Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the Philadelphia Film Festival OPENING NIGHT! Toronto International Deaf Film and Arts Festival OFFICIAL SELECTION! Feel Good Film Festival, Hollywood Host a Screening Near You!
New NBC HERO at the Universal Signs Premiere!
Written by Universal Signs
Thursday, 28 May 2009 20:27
We always knew she was a hero to Universal Signs. It was just announced yesterday that Deanne Bray will be the NEW HERO for NBC's hit show HEROES.
Meet Deanne at the Universal Signs Premiere! Get her autograph and a candid photo before she becomes an even huger STAR. If you are already coming to the premiere and have not bought your ticket to meet the Stars, you can buy your Meet and Greet ticket at the Premiere!
• Visit our Secure Online Store • Call 877-464-7879 • E-mail
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• Download our Pay-by-Check form Got a group of 25 or more? Add the Meet and Greet Opportunity with Deaf actors Anthony Natale, Deanne Bray and Troy Kotsur for only $5 per ticket! This is a Savings of $10 per Meet and Greet! Get all the details at: www.universalsignsmovie.com
Thanks to the support of the fans, ALL the episodes of ‘Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye’ are going to be released on DVD!
