North Texas Performing Arts (NTPA) Deaf Theatre presents the holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life for both hearing and Deaf audiences November 17-19. A cast of 25 Deaf and hearing actors perform together with an innovative method of combining language to tell stories on stage. This holiday season, the heartwarming story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. This beloved American holiday classic comes to life as a live American Sign Language (ASL)-friendly 1940s radio broadcast.
NTPA Deaf Theatre is a new and innovative troupe focused on making theatre accessible to Deaf and hard of hearing performers and audiences in and around North Texas. It is one of the first of its kind in the nation. NTPA Deaf Theatre offers youth camps as well as full theatrical productions.
It’s a Wonderful Life is directed by NTPA Deaf Theatre’s new program director, Daymond Sands, recipient of the Art Centre of Plano’s “Arts Educator Award.”
Sands is a Dallas native who first took the stage at age five. He completed his degree in psychology and pursued his dream as a Deaf actor to perform on stage, sign sing, direct, and create his own show. Sands has worked as a professional performing artist and an American Sign Language (ASL) consultant for theatre since 2016, and continues as a mentor for interpreters and supporting theatres as an ASL consultant.
“I appreciate the Arts Educator recognition from the Art Centre of Plano, and look forward to propelling this program to even greater heights,” Sands says.“I am thankful to North Texas Performing Arts for creating the Deaf Theatre and bringing this opportunity to Deaf performers across North Texas.”
Performances of It’s a Wonderful Life are in the Egelston-Akers Blackbox Theatre at NTPA’s Willow Bend Center of the Arts, 6121 W. Park Blvd. B216 in Plano. The runtime is 90 minutes and the show is rated PG. Matinees are at 2 p.m. and evening performances are at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $12-25 and are available on www.ntpa.org/deaf.