Robert Deafywood Research Paper

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” …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