Trumpets’ Joseph the Dreamer made history as the first stage production in the Philippines to be deaf-friendly; this was made possible with the help of deaf interpreters from the organization Deaf and Terp standing on the side of the stage using Filipino Sign Language throughout the show to allow deaf audience members to understand what the cast was saying as they performed.


Music is one of the most important elements of a musical – it’s right there in the name. It’s not just in the melody, but also the lyrics, the tone, even in the instruments used – they all play a role in making a musical stand out. Outside the context of the stage, music is often said to be the universal language. Music has the ability to relay emotions and meanings, even when the words don’t necessarily match the original context. Music can influence people and call them to action, from “get up and dance!” to “slow down, it’s time to relax”. Hearing music can really change the way a person sees the world.


But what if you can’t hear at all? What if you can’t experience the power of music; lyrics, tone, melody, because of something you never asked to have? The inability to hear is something that can immensely impact a person’s quality of life in many ways, and while communication with those who are hard of hearing has been proven effective, it still marks a massive difference in how they enjoy things with sound, especially when the sound is critical in understanding the context of the work.

 
On Aug. 7, 2022, Trumpets’ Joseph the Dreamer made history as the first stage production in the Philippines to be deaf-friendly; this was made possible with the help of deaf interpreters from the organization Deaf and Terp standing on the side of the stage using Filipino Sign Language throughout the show to allow deaf audience members to understand what the cast was saying as they performed.

 
As someone who was able to witness this part of Philippine theatrical history, I was astonished to see the interpreters taking turns in performing the duty of signing the actors’ lines to the audience. I was only aware that the show was deaf-friendly going into the theater, but I had no idea how it would be done. I was asking myself as people settled into their seats ‘how are they performing the show? Were they going to use sign language throughout the show themselves? Would there be significant change to the show?’ As the show went on, I kept looking at the interpreters, and what I saw was something inspiring.

 
I saw the interpreters listening and watching the actors on stage for their lines, then moving their hands in response to what they heard. I watched them smiling, acting, and even dancing along to the show. I found myself observing them constantly, trying to replicate the motions and signs they made as discreetly as I could in my seat. One of the standout moments was during the heartwarming reunion between Joseph and Jacob (Neo Rivera and Audie Gemora); when I looked over at the side of the stage, there were two interpreters, one for Joseph and one for Jacob, who were signing the actors’ lines in time with them, and when the onstage father and son hugged each other, crying, so did the interpreters. They truly committed to the roles they were portraying in the same manner the actors onstage were.

 
As a lifelong theater kid as well as someone who can hear, watching the art form I’ve loved all my life become more accessible to people who don’t have the privilege I do was amazing. I couldn’t stop smiling as I left the theater because of the wonderful show, the performances that blew me away, and the realization that I had witnessed history; a step in a direction that would bring a big part of my life to even more people. (Contributed by Bianca Magdaluyo)

Source: Manila Bulletin (https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/21/hearing-impaired-this-play-found-a-way/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hearing-impaired-this-play-found-a-way)