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As for including the younger kids in the project, the IAC grant demands that Christopher Smith work with all of ISD’s grade levels during the rehearsal process, involving them in dance study, performance routines, and various activities that will, despite being unrelated to West Side Story, at least provide every ISD child with some direct benefit from his presence. No one likes the various restrictions placed on the project by the IAC. ” Given that each rehearsal will last for approximately four hours, this seems to be entirely inadequate.

Clicks and pops abound with, occasionally, the hint of a whistle; taken together, these sounds seem complex enough to form a living, viable language all on their own. One sticking point is the notion of movement on stage, also known as theatrical movement, which the interpreter either mangles in translation or cannot manage because, perhaps, it has no real equivalent in either ASL or English. A discussion erupts over the nature of theatrical movement, and within about twenty seconds, no one has the least idea what anyone else is talking about.

Neither Bob nor Paula express any intrinsic objections—they merely want to see it done well, with care and attention to the needs of its target audience. Paula comments that when she last directed for the stage, she had two signers onstage, one male and one female, both clothed entirely in black. Diane starts taking notes, and the conversation segues rapidly (“Bob speaking, no, now Paula speaking . ”) to a discussion of what shadow signing means for the set and costumes. , not having all the performers on one level) will be essential.