Tony Award-winning Director Jack Hofsiss to Headline Georgetown University's Visible Impact and DiverseABILITY Forum (Oct. 20-23) for National Disability Awareness Month
Award-winning director to headline "Welcome Back Jack: A Conversation with Jack Hofsiss" on Saturday, October 22 at 7 PM in the Devine Studio Theatre,
Davis Performing Arts Center.
Four-day forum sponsored by GU's Reflective Engagement in The Public Interest Initiative to offer workshops, forums and performances with guest artists, scholars and policy makers on access and advocacy.
- (1888PressRelease) October 17, 2011 - Tony Award-winning director Jack Hofsiss, recipient of Broadway's 1979 Tony Award for "Outstanding Director" for "The Elephant Man" and permanently disabled after a 1985 diving accident, will be Special Guest Artist at Georgetown University's Visible Impact and DiverseABILITY Forum, a 4-day conference of workshops, symposia and live performances on access and advocacy, sponsored in part by GU's Reflective Engagement in the Public Interest Initiative. The weekend event is scheduled for Thursday October 20 to Sunday, October 23, 2011 on the Georgetown University Main Campus, according to Prof. Susan M. Lynskey, planner for the 2011 Visible Impact and DiverseABILITY Forum and faculty member of the GU Department of Performing Arts.
Mr. Hofsiss, an alumni of Georgetown University (C'71), a member of Georgetown University's Mask & Bauble Theatre Club and the youngest person ever to win the Tony Award for directing, will make a solo bow in "Welcome Back Jack: A Conversation With Jack Hofsiss" on Saturday, October 22nd at 7 PM in the Devine Studio Theatre of the Davis Performing Arts Center on the GU Main Campus, 37th & O Streets, NW, Washington, DC.
The 2011 Georgetown University Visibile Impact and DiverseABILITY Forum will include scholars, policy makers, GU performing arts students and members of the DC disability arts community along with such distinguished guest artists as Mr. Hofsiss and members of the Gallaudet University Theatre Department and other artists. For complete schedule details, see below or visit: http://performingarts.georgetown.edu/243633.html.
By proclamation of President Barack Obama on October 3, 2011, October has been proclaimed "National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month."
For more information on tickets, venues and performance schedules for the 2011 GU Visible Impact and DiverseABILITY Forum, visit: http://performingarts.georgetown.edu/243633.html.
Professor Susan M. Lynskey contact info: 202.905.6292; professorlynskey ( @ ) yahoo dot com
Jack Hofsiss contact: Frank Tobin: 323.661.3720; fxtobin ( @ ) franktobinpr dot com
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20
Visible Impact
GU Davis Performing Arts Center
Thursday, October 20 at 8 PM
Post-show talk back; sign interpreted
Saturday October 22 at 8 PM
Sunday October 23 at 2 PM
Wednesday-Saturday, October 26-29 at 8 PM.
DiverseABILITY Forum 2011 will kick-off on Thursday, October 20 at 8 PM with the premiere of Visible Impact. Conceived and directed by Prof. Susan Lynskey in collaboration with Fr. Rick Curry, S.J., Suzanne Richard, Willy Conley, and the GU Student Ensemble, Visible Impact is an ensemble-created production that weaves monologue and memoir, scene-work and Shakespeare, poetry and movement to explore and enact diverse experiences and perspectives within the deaf and disabled communities. This revealing and 'often-autobiographical' piece dramatizes the intertwined relationship of biology, language, culture and identity. Created on the premise that disability, deafness, and diversity enrich the artistic experience and advance aesthetic innovation, Visible Impact artists celebrate difference, inclusion and the evolving capacity of all people.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
"Disability Rights - Disability Law: Moving from a Medical/Charitable Model to a Human Rights Model" Panel - Devine Studio Theatre, Davis Performing Arts Center
The recent World Report on Disability, produced by the World Health Organization and the World Bank found that over one billion people, or 15% of the world population, have disabilities. This makes it the largest minority group worldwide. Learn about the Americans with Disabilities Act and other domestic laws (currently in the Senate) as well as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the worldwide movement to recognize the right to full and equal participation of persons with disabilities.
Panelists:
David Morrissey, Executive Director, United States International Council on Disabilities
Susie Richard, Outreach Coordinator, United States International Council on Disabilities
Esme Grant, Disability Rights Educator, United States International Council on Disabilities
Rhonda Neuhaus, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
*Moderated by Michael W. Smith, Director of the Affirmative Action Programs, Georgetown University Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Affirmative Action
(This event is sign interpreted.)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Performance Event: Gallaudet University Theatre Arts Dept. Presents: "The Deaf Chef".
Written and Directed by Prof. Willy Conley.
The Deaf Chef is a short, nonverbal, gesture comedy of an international cooking competition where love is discovered under a most unusual circumstance. Starring Gallaudet students: James McGowan, Kyleigh Herrera, Marissa Pascual, Changer Gonzalez, Amelia Hensley, Emily Stemper, Victoria LeBlanc &Theresa Marie Glaser
Open Circle Theatre Cabaret - Washington DC's first professional theatre dedicated to producing professional productions that integrate the considerable talents of artists with disabilities. OCT was formed by a group of people with and without disabilities, who possess the love of the theater, and a commitment to full access for all persons. Tonight's Feature: Is There Anybody Out There? (In sign and song, actors from past OCT productions consider the 'art of communication' in classic cabaret style.)
Directed by Suzanne Richard
Music Directed and accompanied by Stuart Weich
Starring: Tosia Shall, Scott Sedar, JP, Rob McQuay, Tiffany Garfinkle and more!
Meet and Talk with the artists after the performance. Free, but ticketed
Devine Studio Theatre, Davis Performing Arts Center (This event is sign interpreted.)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
The "OR"bit
Free, but ticketed
Devine Studio Theatre, Davis Performing Arts Center
A solo performance by Monique Holt
The 'OR'bit juxtaposes a one-woman-show, stand-up comedy, and a game show. The performance allows you to get to know Monique, and her "voice-box" as she explores her Korean-American Deaf identity. Be ready for the unexpected! (This event will be sign-interpreted)
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM.
Accessing Difference in the Classroom
Talk Back
Devine Studio Theatre, Davis Performing Arts Center
Join several distinguished faculty from Georgetown and Gallaudet University as they lead a conversation on integrating disability studies, different learning strategies and performing arts into the curriculum.
Professor Willy Conley, Theater Department, Gallaudet University
Professor Nolana Yip, Georgetown University
(This event will be sign-interpreted)
7:00 PM - 7:45 PM.
"Welcome Back, Jack!" An On-Stage Conversation with Tony Award-winning Director Jack Hofsiss
Free, but reservation required
Devine Studio Theatre, Davis Performing Arts Center
This event is sign interpreted.
Jack Hofsiss (GU '71) is an American director for theatre, film and television. His direction of The Elephant Man earned him a Tony Award (the youngest director to have then received it), Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Obie Award and the New York Drama Critics Award. He will discuss his life, his art, his injury, and his advocacy as well as his latest work, Jack from Above, which last Fall premiered at the Kennedy Center and is scheduled for a Broadway Run in 2012/13. The play illuminates his experiences following his life-threatening accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. It is a tale of life, love, art, the human body, and the human spirit that is equally harrowing and hilarious. Mr. Hofsiss will share with GU audiences, his re-discovery of self and his triumphant return to the theatre.
Moderated by Prof. Susan Lynskey, Theater and Performance Studies Program, Dept of Performing Arts
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Visible Impact
Talk Back with the Cast
(This event is sign-integrated)
(Reception to follow)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
ASL Shakespeare Class - Student Workshop
Devine, Davis Performing Arts Center
With Monique Holt and Timothy Chamberlain
The Sonnet Workshop provides a visual method for exploring Shakespeare's forms and language. Come get the "unspoken" dish on the 'Dark Lady and the Young Man' (such a lovely couple(t)! )--- and as a foretelling of TPST Spring Season...we'll even sign a little Macbeth.
Student Participants. (25) Please Pre-register. Observers Welcome. 40-50 Spaces avail. First Come First Serve. (This event is sign/voice interpreted.)
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Visible Impact
(This event is sign-integrated)
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
"Making the Arts Accessible"
Talk Back
Devine Studio Theatre, Davis Performing Arts Center
Students, faculty, and practitioners will share their strategies for how to create more accessible and inclusive performing arts experiences. The talk back will include a hands-on demonstration of sign-language interpretation and audio description.
Joel Snyder, Audio Description Association
Beth Bienvenue, Director of Accessibility, National Endowment for the Arts
Beth Henriksen & JohnMark Ennis, Sign Performing Artists
*Moderated by Jane Holahan, Director, Georgetown University Academic Resource Center
(This event is sign interpreted.)
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