The Institute of Educations Theatre Arts, Education and Deaf Studies (TAEDS) Visiting Lecturer, Ilan Dwek, is involved in an innovative project to standardise BSL signs, which could impact significantly on deaf and integrated theatre.
The Technical Theatre Project was set up in Summer 2012 by Ali Pottinger (a Stage Manager and interpreter), as it was noted over the years that there have been conflicting signs for theatre terms, often leading to confusion. After success in securing funding, this group met in Bath for a week in October 2012, with a team of ten deaf and hearing theatre practitioners They did a rough filming of translations for some fifty signs relevant to lighting, sound and stage management and there are still more that they ran out of time to film. The next aim is to complete the film and release it online for viewing and feedback; details to follow…