Tim McCarty’s Remarks
Mike Lamitola Memorial Service
New York City
John Houseman Theatre
June 24, 2003

I bring greetings, well wishes, and condolences from the Quest family. In the past few weeks, I have received emails, phone calls, and letters from friends all around the world. People tell me of their sadness with Mike's passing, but mostly they talk about the joy of knowing Mike and the pleasure of working with him.

Linda has asked me to talk about Mike, the director. I'm pleased to say that I actually gave Mike his first directing job. We were in Phoenix attending a deaf arts education conference run by Marjorie Timms. I remember asking Mike on a bus taking us to the sessions about the possibility of coming to MSSD for 5 weeks to create a new piece for our Theatre Showcase Festival. Mike's first reaction was, "I've never directed before." My response was, "So????" I had seen Mike’s acting at NTD and was impressed with his energy and imagination.

As we talked more, I also told Mike that I wanted him to direct a show without words. Now Mike seemed even more uncertain. "You want me, who has never directed before, to come work with your students and direct a show without words?"

" Yep," I responded.

" What show?" asked Mike.

" Your decision." This remark seemed to stir even more doubt. We continued our conversation later that day in the hotel swimming pool. There were just a few of us in the water at the time. The Phoenicians sat by the pool fully clothed wearing sweaters. It was a mere 85 degrees outside and the water temperature a brisk 75. Only us crazy northeasterners would brave these brutal conditions.

By the time the conference was over, Mike had agreed to the gig. At some point along the line, he decided to develop the piece based on The Ugly Duckling. He used the show as a metaphor for his own life and other young deaf people who felt different and apart, but eventually found the beauty and power of deaf culture. It was a wonderful show with some brilliant moments that I have stolen over the years for my own work.

Mike also was pleased with the show. In fact, he used the piece in other residencies in the US and other countries such as India and Mexico.

Over the years, Mike and I continued to work together. Each summer we got together for the Young Scholars Program (YSP). I particularly remember a comment Mike made when we were getting ready to tour South Africa and Mexico. Mike was working on two traditional South African tales. What Mike typically did for the YSP shows was to dash to the library and read traditional stories from the culture we were celebrating. He would then adapt the stories using mime, gesture, and sign language. These pieces had a powerful resonance. Audiences loved seeing their stories performed in a new way. Deaf audiences were particularly proud to see these traditional tales with deaf characters and deaf actors. Part of Mike's brilliance was making sure that deafness and deaf perspectives were part of his work. This had a profound impact wherever we went.

Anyway, we were in rehearsal for these pieces at Gallaudet and Mike leaned over to me and said, "I feel myself getting better and better as a director. I think this is some of my best work." Both pieces were a huge hit on our tour. However, Mike's best work was yet to come.

I was pleased that Mike could be with us for six-weeks last winter to direct Willy Conley's powerful show, The water falls. As usual, Mike brought energy and enthusiasm to the project. With each of our shows, Quest encourages staff and casts to take risks and discover new things about visual theatre. Mike faced this challenge with relish last winter. He took some bold steps with the show and I was pleased with the response of our production staff and the cast to Mike's vision. Once again, he brought new ideas for expressing deafness and deaf culture into his work and this in a show written by a deaf playwright and with deaf actors.

During the rehearsal process, Mike seemed emboldened. He seemed more confident. He knew what he wanted with this show. He was demanding. He was delightful. He was outlandish. He was encouraging. His energy and his joy filled each rehearsal.

On opening night, Mike wrote me a wonderful note. I'll always remember one remark in particular. "Thank you for giving me my artistic rebirth."

Mike and I traveled great distances over the years - India, Mexico, South Africa. Yet, our greatest journey has been our growth as artists and as friends. Mike's journey is not over. He lives on in all of us who he has touched over the years.

To that end, the Quest Board of Directors has approved the following measures:

• Dedicate all Quest programming over the next year in honor of Mike Lamitola
• Pay tribute to Mr. Lamitola on the Quest website
• Establish a Mike Lamitola Fund to support training and experiences in theatre for young and emerging deaf artists

Mike will serve as a Quest Affiliate Artist in perpetuity.