For more than fifteen years I’ve been with the Deaf Access Program at Imagination Stage, and I love what I do! Back in 1993 we had a group of Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing teenagers, a meager budget, Tuesday night rehearsals, painted cubes for a set, props that included umbrellas with cookie cutters hanging from them, lights that were either on or off, a dedicated group of staff, a lot of fun, and of course an outstanding production.

In 1998 we received our first of 3 three-year grants from the U.S. Department of Education, and everything started to change for the better. We had enough teenagers to create two Deaf Access companies, and enough funding to hire professional set, sound, and costume designers, and of course we still had Tuesday (and now also Wednesday) night rehearsals, a dedicated group of staff, a lot of fun, and two outstanding productions. We also brought in professional guest artists (deaf and hearing) to meet with our teens, to show them the professional world of theatre outside of our doors.
In 2003 we moved into a brand new theatre in downtown Bethesda, where our students performed Pinocchio Commedia for their debut in the new space. We added lighting designers to our professional roster, and continued to grow. We partnered with well-known children’s author Phyllis Limbacher Tildes who had been inspired by our Deaf Access Company to write The Garden Wall about two children, one Deaf and one hearing, who become friends. We added programming for middle-school deaf, hard of hearing and hearing students who were clamoring to work together. All while we continued to be inspired by our students, encouraged by our audiences and enthused from one another.

In 2008 our funding opportunities ran out. The program has changed, but our enthusiasm remains strong. When the economy picks up, and our funding becomes stable, we will still be here, loving what we do.

By Wendy Calhoun