Tribes by Nina Raine - Drama 3 men 3 women Flexible Set
posted by Greg at 2:12 PM
Jun 17, 2021
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5 Comments:
Very strong play. A lot of challenges. I think this is a piece we would have to have either a deaf director of One of the two lead actors be deaf before we locked it in. The Guthrie did it in 2013 and I wish I would’ve seen their production. I think it’s a viable candidate - my concern would be not engaging with the deaf community in our casting and I don’t know if we currently have those connections.
It is an interesting script. As is stated, engagement with the deaf community - director, actors, signing is necessary. In addition one/some of the performances need to be signed. That being said, for audience diversity and inclusion, all productions should have at least one performance signed.
Technically, the projections are a challenge, especially when single sentences are being translated. One option it to project the entire dialogue. Mixed Blood does this.
I have one "medical" problem with the script. Billy is deaf from birth. Why does he wear hearing aids? Do they help him "hear" nothing? Even more confusing is why does his speech deteriorate when his hearing aid batteries go out?
I would keep it in the mix, but think we need to establish a relationship with the hearing impaired community before programming this script.
Although not especially well written, the themes of belonging and being left out are clear. Always bugs me when a script state - takes place in the 'present day.' When is the present?
Thank you, Howard. I too questioned the use of hearing aids and was confused by the change in speech if Billy cannot hear himself. While I could take a guess as to what the playwright wanted to convey, I prefer to ask her directly.
Not sure how I missed it, for some reason I thought some performances of all productions had an ASL interpreter.
Good opportunities for a director, actors, designers. My vote is Yes.
I loved the Guthrie production. As I recall, the whole play was “close-captioned,” which was easy to do on their proscenium stage. I think casting a deaf actor should be a requirement. If you Google the title you will find controversy surrounding at least one production that didn’t use deaf actors. I don’t know if there is still a theater for the hearing impaired in the Twin Cities but there was one back in the 90’s when I took an ASL course (which was actually taught by a hearing impaired actor). I think this is a script we should definitely consider.
I think it is a very strong, fast-paced play that would stir plenty of discussion with the audience. I don't think a deaf director is needed, but Billy should be hearing-impaired. It is a sound designer's dream show and it should be signed. Staging could be done in the round or proscenium.
Regarding the hearing aids and the fact that Billy was born deaf, I have a friend who was born deaf and never learned how to sign. She had an operation and regained some hearing. In fact, the first thing she heard was a fart!!
I think there are too many challenges however at this time, but I would definitely address it again in future seasons.
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