Hard of hearing actress playing deaf character?

[natashalost]

Posted: 5/26/18 at 8:11pm

I am a hard of hearing actress who is fluent in ASL. I have no hearing in my left ear, and limited hearing in my right, but I can still function without a hearing aid, for the most part. 

I was just offered the role of Sara in a professional production of Children of a Lesser God. I'm in a moral dilemma as I don't know if I should take the role. I know it's very hard for deaf actors to find roles and I would hate if I was taking away an opportunity from a deaf actor. I've never seen anyone who is hard of hearing play the role. 

I've already spoken about this to the director and has no problem with me playing the role, so it's up to me to decide.

Should I take the role? Any opinions at all would help me.

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 5/26/18 at 8:19pm

I would be disappointed if you did NOT accept this role. Trust your director. And trust yourself.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/26/18 at 8:42pm

I think it speaks well of you that you are deliberating about this, but I think you should take the role. If you were offered the job, I’m guessing you gave the best audition.

[natashalost]

Posted: 5/26/18 at 8:59pm

One thing I just realized: in the second act, Sara speaks. As I am not completely deaf, I would have to be doing an impersonation of a deaf person speaking. It's a pretty pivotal point in the show so we can't just cut it.  With this in mind, should I do it?

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 5/26/18 at 9:10pm

natashalost said "... It's a pretty pivotal point in the show ..."

Accept the challenge. Share your concerns with the director. You can do this.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 5/26/18 at 9:17pm

I do think you should take the role because while your experience is not identical, you do share some sense of what that lived experience is like. (Sorry for the vagueness, but I don't want to use any terms that might be offensive to you.) While the show is about the relationship between a deaf woman and her hearing teacher, it is also about the assimilation and/or acceptance of the deaf community in general and Orin is a hard of hearing character so it isn't like those experiences aren't also part of the play. Also, if you are fluent in ASL and you were cast, then you are qualified for the part.

I can understand the hesitation to do an impersonation of a deaf person speaking in a way that is inoffensive but actors do any manner of impersonations of dialects and accents and languages. I would speak to your director but also trust yourself and your instincts. You know what would be a hurtful caricature. And you know what your abilities are. You may end up using a voice that is closer to your natural speaking voice. I think that would be fine as personally I think the important part of the scene is that Sara is speaking for herself and also the emotional weight of that moment and not specifically what she sounds like.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/26/18 at 10:43pm

Good responses here!

FWIW, Katie LeClerc faked a deaf accent for Switched at Birth, though she is fluent in ASL and is hard-of-hearing. I don't believe there was any controversy with that (though feel free to correct me if I'm wrong).

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/26/18 at 10:52pm

See if you can get in touch with deaf activists and see what they say. Maybe reach out to Marlee Matlin on Twitter. 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 5/26/18 at 11:01pm

JBroadway said: "See if you can get in touch with deaf activists and see what they say. Maybe reach out to Marlee Matlin on Twitter."

I think that's a great idea and this will allow the deaf community the opportunity to discuss your and their concerns. It will be an educational experience for you, them, and your production including the director.

I am glad you are so considerate and thoughtful to even talk about this. Your mindfulness will serve you well with the relationships you will form in your life.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/26/18 at 11:33pm

1. There are restrictions on the part as to who can play it....i can't remember if that stipulation is hard of hearing or actually deaf.

2. Assuming it CAN go to a hoh person, you turning it down, does not guarantee a completely deaf person would be cast.

3. Lastly, you wouldn't be imitating that spoken scene any more than any other actor figures out how to play what's different from self in any character.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/26/18 at 11:46pm

I can’t see this as being too big a problem. HH people (as I’m sure you well know) are very openly accepted into the Deaf community. Talk to a few Deaf friends and see what they think. I’m sure they’ll all be very supportive. And congrats on the role!

[natashalost]

Posted: 5/27/18 at 11:26am

Hi all! Thank you for the helpful responses! After sleeping on it, I'm pretty sure I am going to take the role.

I talked with some of my friends who are deaf and they are very supportive but to be sure I sent an email to Mark Medoff, the playwright, to get his opinion as well. 

Thanks again and I'm looking forward to playing Sara!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/27/18 at 12:13pm

That’s great. If ou get a response from him, I’m very curious to hear what he says!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/27/18 at 12:55pm

Try calling/contacting Dramatist Play Service (rights holders) they'll be able to give you the exact wording of the restriction.