Robert Deafywood Research Paper

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The entertainment industry is incredibly popular in America and is the reason why celebrities rise to stardom. People gain fame across a spectrum of ages and ethnic backgrounds. But through the variety of celebrities and casting roles, Hollywood is still struggling through bias and discrimination. There is a dispute of people of color not having the same opportunities as white people as well as how historical roles are compromised of accuracy by white actors playing them. This struggle of equal opportunity is the same for Deaf entertainers trying to break through into the entertainment industry. Robert DeMayo, Bob Hiltermann, CJ Jones, and TL Forsberg are four deaf performers trying to make their mark on the world, both hearing and Deaf. Robert DeMayo is a Deaf actor living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Some plays he has been in are “Thriller” Deafywood, “Superman” Arizona Total Immersion, and “Hallowen Spectacular” Royal Caribbean for the Deaf Freedom Cruise (Scarl). DeMayo grew up in a home with no communication and made many attempts to communicate and have a connection. He once asked for his mother to learn sign language for his Christmas present, but she did not and that eventually led to unresolved issues after her death. The acting jobs are few and far between, so in order to pay rent and other necessities he interprets and teaches American Sign Language (ASL) and drama. Every summer he goes to Juilliard in order to teach interpreting through the Theatre Development Fund. The lack of consistency and financial security has led to DeMayo being evicted and sleeping in subway stations. The language he uses the most is ASL and he incorporates his language into his acts in order to bring his Deaf culture to hearing audiences. Despite his lack of success in the hearing world, he is well-known in the Deaf world and continues to believe that “Deaf people can be anything” (Scarl). Bob Hiltermann is the drummer of the Deaf rock band, Beethoven’s Nightmare, alongside Steve Longo playing guitar and Ed Chevy playing the bass guitar and vocals. In order for some financial stability, Hiltermann teaches American Sign Language, English, and math. Despite no emotional support from his family, he continues his pursuit of music. It was not until he went to Gallaudet University that he saw the potential for deaf people to play instruments. …show more content…
At a young age he lost his hearing due to spinal meningitis and his parents could not have been happier to share their language and culture. Now he lives in Los Angeles, California with his hearing wife and child and has gained fame and popularity within the Deaf World, performing all over the world. He has been featured in performances such as the ASL Expo in Long Beach, California, “Through Deaf Eyes” documentary, and the North Carolina Black Theatre Festival (Scarl). But once he steps into the hearing world, the recognition disappears. As seen in the film, Jones attempts to reach a hearing audience, but many are disinterested because they are not exposed to sign language (Scarl). Many people do not give him the same chance because he is deaf. Disheartened due to the oppression faced in the hearing world, Jones took matters into his own hands and started the International Sign Language Theater Festival in order to gather many signers and celebrate their amazing

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