Creative Access Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 15, 1993
ANNENBERG CENTER PRESENTS TWO
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETED PEFORMANCES OF
"MY CHILDREN! MY AFRICA!" – Feb. 11 and 12

PHILADELPHIA - In a continuing effort to make theatre accessible to all audiences, the Annenberg Center will offer two sign language interpreted performances of the People's Light and Theatre Company's production of "My Children! My Africa!" on Thursday, February 11 at 10am and Friday 12 at 8 pm. Athol Fugard's powerful drama about the remarkable friendship that grows between two students and their teacher in South Africa and the resulting tragedy was staged to critical acclaim at People's Light last season. The signed performances are made possible by Creative Access, a 5 year old organization whose two-fold goal is to help Philadelphia cultural institutions become accessible to the Deaf community and to expose the hearing community to Deaf culture. "My Children! My Africa"! will be performed in the Annenberg Center's Zellerbach Theatre as part of the Annenberg Center Theatre Series. Tickets are $24 and $26; student tickets are $10. For series information or to order tickets, call the box office at (215) 898-6791, or for group sales through V/TTY, call Creative Access at (215) 735-5851 or (215) 464-6072.

Creative Access was developed four months ago in order to help area theaters make their offerings accessible to the Deaf community. Equally important is the goal of exposing the hearing community to the realities of the Deaf culture. "Stereotypes are perpetuated by invisibility," said Carol Finkle, founder of Creative Access, and the Deaf community is a particularly invisible group. Eventually, Ms. Finkle hopes to support an effort to develop a Deaf theatre company in Philadelphia -- a theatre company of, by and for Deaf people. Hearing audiences would have access through special voice interpreted performances. The Annenberg Center is committed to making theatre accessible to all audiences. Since March of 1979, the Annenberg Center has offered dramatic sign language interpretations of professional theatre performances to hearing impaired audiences. In addition, the Zellerbach Theatre offers an infrared listening system, making it possible for people with up to 75% hearing loss to enjoy live theatre and music. Additionally, the Annenberg Center has featured performances by the national Theatre for the Deaf as part of the Annenberg Center Theatre series as well as the Theatre for Children Series.

Ms. Finkle became enthralled with "My Children! My Africa!" after having read a wonderful review of the People's Light production last spring. The Fugard play represents a particularly appropriate opportunity for signed interpretation. Creative Access will hold open auditions for creative sign language interpreters -- people who are fluent in both sign language and who are talented in performance. "My Children! My Africa!" a three-character play, will be simultaneously interpreted by two creative sign language interpreters.

The Annenberg Center Theatre Series will feature The People's Light and Theatre Company's production of "My Children! My Africa!" from February 10 through 14. Sign language interpreted performances will be held on Thursday, February 11 at 10 AM and Friday, February 12 at 8 PM. For more information, call the Annenberg Center box office at (215) 898-6791, or, for group sales through V/TTY, call Creative Access at (215) 735-5851 or (215) 464-6072. The Annenberg Center Theatre Series is supported by The Virginia C. Mulconroy Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Pew Charitable Trusts.