Countless Systems of Communication: The Design Work and Performance of Excerpts from Tribes by Nina Raine21
Poster Number
21
College
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Department
Theatre & Dance
Abstract
When thinking about the term “communication,” we generally imagine the form we use most often in our daily lives. The conceptualization of that form is dramatically influenced by our families or groups of friends, our tribe(s). In Tribes by Nina Raine, Billy was born deaf, but raised by his hearing family to prosper in the hearing world. They did not want his deafness to be the center of his being, so he was never taught sign language and kept away from deaf events. However, in their good intentions, they only managed to make Billy feel lost and a bit alone. Once he meets Sylvia, a woman who was raised in a deaf family and is starting to go deaf, he is given a chance to finally be “heard.” He begins to discover that even with all of his family’s love there is more to communication than what they have given him. Along with the presentation of a final performance, there will be a complete set and costume design for the entirety of the play that will aid in communicating the themes of the work in question. By watching the performance of some excerpts from Tribes, seeing my design work, and reading my summation paper, I hope it can become apparent to people that there is more to communication and the deaf community than what is commonly known and practiced in the hearing world.
Honors Thesis Committee
Daniel Gordon, M.F.A; Janet Gray, M.F.A; and Sarah Provencal, M.F.A
Start Date
21-4-2017 12:00 PM
Countless Systems of Communication: The Design Work and Performance of Excerpts from Tribes by Nina Raine21
Rutledge
When thinking about the term “communication,” we generally imagine the form we use most often in our daily lives. The conceptualization of that form is dramatically influenced by our families or groups of friends, our tribe(s). In Tribes by Nina Raine, Billy was born deaf, but raised by his hearing family to prosper in the hearing world. They did not want his deafness to be the center of his being, so he was never taught sign language and kept away from deaf events. However, in their good intentions, they only managed to make Billy feel lost and a bit alone. Once he meets Sylvia, a woman who was raised in a deaf family and is starting to go deaf, he is given a chance to finally be “heard.” He begins to discover that even with all of his family’s love there is more to communication than what they have given him. Along with the presentation of a final performance, there will be a complete set and costume design for the entirety of the play that will aid in communicating the themes of the work in question. By watching the performance of some excerpts from Tribes, seeing my design work, and reading my summation paper, I hope it can become apparent to people that there is more to communication and the deaf community than what is commonly known and practiced in the hearing world.
