Deaf Poetry, Percussion, And New Music Combine In The Universal Drum

The Universal Drum is an experimental work in development that explores the harmony of Deaf and Hearing worlds through drums. This artwork integrates new music, drama, and American Sign Language (ASL) poetry that can be experienced by Deaf and Hearing audiences alike. The first workshop performance will premiere at Dixon Place on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 7:30pm.

Commissioned by SIGN & SING, the work was first written by Deaf American playwright Willy Conley, translated by Gallaudet University students, and set to music by composer Brad Balliett for SIGN & SING's ensemble of singers, Deaf actors, and percussionists. "Collaboration is a fundamental component of SIGN & SING's mission and artistic method," Katherine Dubbs, Director of The Universal Drum and Founder of SIGN & SING, said. "The combination of opera, ASL, percussion, and new music is uncharted territory, and we hope to inspire other programs to collaborate and be inclusive."

Conley is a Deaf American playwright known as the most widely produced, living Deaf playwright in the world. His plays explore ideas from the Deaf perspective in relationship with hearing culture. "I really like the idea of live singing and drumming accompanying the ASL expression of my poem," Conley said. Dubbs, who conceived of the project, partners with Director of ASL Beth Applebaum to ensure that the performance be accessible to all audiences.

SIGN & SING is a nonprofit performance program that explores stories about accessibility and understanding through opera and ASL. Rarely witnessed in the operatic and new music world, simultaneous ASL performance with live music has become more and more important as music and theater become accessible to all audiences. SIGN & SING collaborates with Deaf actors, opera singers, percussionists, and other performers to create innovative and accessible experiences like The Universal Drum.

For tickets: http://dixonplace.org/performances/the-universal-drum-a-dramatic-visual-poem- in-asl-english-percussion/
For more info: http://www.signandsing.org/ | @signsingasl | http://www.dixonplace.org/ | @dixonplace