Little Theatre of the Deaf Performs 'THE W-5' for O'Neill Center Residency, 5/18

The National Theatre of the Deaf has announced announce the third annual residency at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, beginning May 7 and running through May 18, 2012, paid for in part by a generous grant from the J. Walton Bissell Foundation. The program will focus on the development of original playwriting, script improvisation and concept to the stage rehearsals for a new touring production. The new conceptual work is entitled The W-5 The Stories Behind Who, What, Where, When and Why.

This original theatrical work is being written and directed by NTD Interim Executive Director, Betty Beekman and will feature the Little Theatre of the Deaf Acting Company; Joey Caverly, Christina Cogswell and Christina Stevens. There are preliminary plans to stage the work that comes from the residency later this summer to ready the production for the 2012-13 touring season. More details to follow about the summer schedule.

Ms. Beekman describes her concept as follows: Come and join The W-5 to discover the stories behind Who, What, Where, When and Why. Take a trip with the "Where" story and "Who" knows "Why" will take you! Have fun with the Little Theatre of the Deaf as they combine visually exciting American Sign Language with the spoken word to create a performance that will be seen, heard and long remembered.

There will be an invited reading of the first stage of work completed on the script on Friday, May 18 at 7:30 pm.

Following the residency at the O'Neill, Beekman will finalize the script and schedule rehearsals to mount the production. Ultimately the 50-minute program will be filled with stories, interactive improvisations and signing fun will draw the youth and family audiences in as the Little Theatre of the Deaf entertains, engages, and educates its audiences.

Each presenting school will receive the company's acclaimed Learn and Study Together Guide. It will provide exercises and ideas for working with classroom curriculum and providing information to educators about the third most used language in the United States and the people who use it.

For more information about NTD/LTD and the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center log on to NTD.ORG. For general information contact the NTD offices at 860-236-4193, VP (video phone) 860-607-1338.