Deaf West Theatre

Basically...
~ The Deaf West Theatre strives to provide a thrilling theatre experience for everyone, no matter your signing or hearing abilities.

~ DWT unites the deaf and hard of hearing community with the hearing community by using actors from both walks of life.

~ DWT productions are presented in American Sign Language with simultaneous translation in English, providing for all an enhanced theatrical experience.
DJ Kurs
~ Current Artistic Director of DWT

~ Saw his first Deaf West Theatre show,
The Gin Game,
when he was twelve years old. The experience of seeing the show has defined theatre for him to this day.

~ Kurs is 36, married, and is a SoCal native from Riverside. He took over the company 2 years ago when Ed Waterstreet retired.

How did it all begin?
~ Founded in 1991 by Ed Waterstreet

~ Located in Los Angeles

~ Founded in hopes of directly improving and enriching the cultural lives of the 1.2 million deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who live in the Los Angeles area
Spring Awakening
~ Current production at DWT
~ (See UBTHD's production this spring!)
Contact Information
5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, California 91601
Other Facts
~ DWT is currently the largest professional Sign Language Theatre in the Western U.S.

~DWT's Broadway cast of "Big River" recieved the Tony Honor for Excellence in 2004

~ There are professional deaf and hearing actors, directors, designers and technicians in the company.

~ DWT has produced over 40 plays and 4 musicals, won more than 80 theater awards
To directly improve and enrich the cultural lives of the 1.2 million deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who live in the Los Angeles area
How?
By providing exposure and access to professional theater, filling a void for deaf artists and audiences.
~ To serve as an institution for the discovery and exploration of artists' identities and stature;
~To create, share and preserve a legacy of deaf culture through the medium of Sign Language Theatre.
Mission Statement
Past productions...
info@deafwest.org
Voice: 818-762-2998 (recorded line only)
VP: 818-287-7784
Casting
DWT puts out audition notices on their website and asks that people submit their audition videos
ex. (Taken from DWT's site, for their production of
Flowers for Algernon
)
CHARLIE GORDON 25-45. Must be a Deaf male fluent in ASL. Theatre background, a must
TEEN-CHARLIE 15 years or so. Hearing male. Theatre background, a must. Experience with ASL, a plus