Our Story

Our Mission

Our mission is to bring ASL stories to the forefront of theater. Not Another Deaf Story is an original multimedia theatrical experience being devised in American Sign Language by a diverse ensemble of Deaf actors and artists. We aim to break down barriers, promote cultural understanding and introduce audiences to extraordinary new talent.

OUR JOURNEY

Hilari Scarl, an award-winning film/theater writer/director/producer received a prestigious Creative Capital 2023 grant to create Not Another Deaf Story. She assembled an amazing team of theater professionals from across the world (including Monique “MoMo” Holt as co-director and Gail Winar as creative producer) to collaborate and perform this developmental production at The Group Repertory Theatre in North Hollywood, CA this August 2023. The play is being filmed for consideration by regional theaters for a world premiere in 2024.

THE STORY

The scariest things aren’t ghosts, but the fears we need to face.

In an isolated cabin in the woods, an evening of scary stories is disturbed by a spectral presence that takes them on a fantastical journey.

WHAT IS A “DEVISED” PLAY?

Great question! Devised theatre is an artistic technique used to develop an original script through improvisation by an ensemble of actors. Hilari has been creating company-developed work for decades with dozens of different ensembles around the world. She starts with a theme – she chose the multi-layered theme of “FEAR” for Not Another Deaf Story – and expands the motif into a narrative story.

BUT WHERE IS THE SCRIPT?

Another good question! The malleable outline of the story is developed in advance, but the characters, scenes and dialogue are developed in ASL with the actors through improvisation and group discussions. A lot of work and thought goes into the casting. Co-directors Hilari Scarl and Monique “MoMo” Holt held immersive workshops and auditioned Deaf actors from around the world. The stage ensemble of eight dynamic Deaf actors will develop the play together, and the film ensemble of seven fantastic Deaf actors will do the same for the short film that will be woven into the production. The finalized play will be translated into English, and voicing actors will make the performances fully accessible to all audiences.

WHAT IS YOUR TIMELINE?

This 2023 developmental phase consists of three weeks of crafting the story in ASL (July), one week for tech (August) and one week of performances (August.) The team will translate the play into a written script for voicing actors to make the production accessible for audiences who don’t know sign language. Digital projection design and multimedia films will also be produced and incorporated. The filmed stage performance will be edited and captioned this fall and shown to regional and Off-Broadway theaters for world premiere consideration during their 2024/2025 season.

HOW CAN YOU WORK THIS QUICKLY?

Our unique team has been working in devised theater for decades. Hilari started Not Another Deaf Story in 2016 during a 15-minute concept piece with the autobiographical theme of “intersectionality” developed in ASL with three Deaf actresses at REDCAT with no funds and only a week of development/rehearsals. Hilari also developed, rehearsed and filmed her TV pilot The Whatever Years with an ensemble of teens in only 6 days – we have 20 days!

HOW CAN I HELP?

Contribute to our Seed & Spark campaign! We are in critical need of final funds for this production.  We have some incredible perks, (hello, VIP tickets!) and every dollar truly helps. Please share our fundraising campaign page with your friends.

Volunteer! We’re looking for a few more ASL interpreters for August, social media peeps and ASL to English caption support (including proofreaders.)

Follow us! You’ll be the first to get the news. 

We are thrilled to have you join us! Thank you for supporting Deaf actors and authentic sign language content.

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Home
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Home
Our Story
Team
Donate
Cast
Tickets
Contact Us