Silent Broadway

When I came across this article in the NY Times I was extremely saddened. Alan Champion, a sign language interpreter on Broadway, was recently diagnosed with cancer. I personally have no connection to Champion, but what saddened me was the fact that the deaf and hard-of-hearing audience of Broadway musicals may lose an invaluable interpreter. I was attracted to this article at first because I myself speak some sign language (although it is a little rusty). There aren’t very many interpreters out there and the loss of one will hit the deaf community hard. It is a very special thing to be able to have deaf people attend the theater, which is almost entirely performed vocally. Sign language interpreters like Champion don’t sign word for word what the performers are singing. Instead, they sign to convey the feelings and emotions that go along with the words so that it makes more sense (and is much faster). It takes much skill and many years of practice to be able to sign on the spot like Champion and these other interpreters do because they may feel compelled to perform themselves, so-to-speak. As Mr. Champion has said, “Rule No. 1: You never want to upstage the performers or clutter the storytelling with your own acting.” So Mr. Champion has learned over the years to control his own impulses and leave the performing to the actors on stage.

I think it is a beautiful thing that the theater world has a separate section for those with disabilities to be able to come and see these shows. Its a wonder that there was a time when people with disabilities were discriminated against. As someone who has learned the importance of sign language in the deaf community, I hope that Mr. Champion overcomes his cancer so that he may continue to interpret on Broadway.