|
3/13/05
On
Sunday, we left around 11am. We stopped by 7-11 to get some quick
breafast then hit the road. Willette drove while some of us slept,
listened to music and chatted in the van. We had fun! We
passed by several states and stopped to get something to eat then back
on the road. It was a long road as we thought it was around 8 to
9 hours but it ended up longer than what we expected. Meredith,
a member of the Wings company, followed us but somehow we lost her so
we had to stop and see if we can find her. Finally we found her
after 30 minutes of waiting for her. We were back on the road as
Luisray drove and Willette slept in the van. By the time we arrive
to Portland, Maine at around 10pm, we got lost! We couldn't find
the Govt. Baxter School for the Deaf and we ended up driving around Portland. It
was funny because we were on the right road but we thought we were wrong
so we had to call the person who was in charge for coordinating our shows/workshops
to give us the right directions. We finally went in the right
direction of Mackworth Island where Govt. Baxter School for the Deaf
is located. The
Mackworth Island is really beautiful!! So we arrived
at the dorm around 11pm. We were definitely tired!! We had
a long ride but tons of fun in the van. By the time we got
to the dorm, we settled in and had to discuss what we are going to do
for the workshops for the next few days. So far that's about it!
We'll keep you posted!!
-- Jennifer
3/14/05
This
is my first tour without Tim. It is different. I am in charge
and it feels strange. I still find myself looking for Tim to answer
a question. Then I remember, he is not here and I have to answer
that question. Sometimes I am a little overwhelmed. I am
adjusting.
I know that Tim would be proud of the work we did today. Some students
were not willing to work with us in the workshops but by the end of the hour,
they didn't want us to stop. It really is important work that we do. We
were treated like royalty, as usual with a quest tour. There is a lot
of excitement about our presence.
The high school is really big and one of the oldest high schools still in operation
in America. We will be performing in a 500+ auditorium. It will be interesting
to see how the audience reacts to "Road Signs" and "Mosaic" together. I
can't wait to get some feedback.
The snow is unusual for this time of year. Last week, they actually closed
school. Some of the classes are catching up this week so our workshop schedule
will need to be flexible. I will keep you posted from a SM point of
view.
--Willette, Company Manager
3/16/05
Today the students we're in "Aww" by the
fact that they got to create their own ABC story and name games. We were all
so proud of them. We first showed them our ABC stories and Name Games then they
too joined in and created their own. And created they did. Half of the time with
my group, I didn't have to help them at all. And I had one assistant, Jacob,
and he wanted to help everyone so bad that he started crying when I suggested
to him to let Anthony do it on his own. But I asked if he wanted to help Courtney
and he said yes, so then the tears were gone and was creating again.
All
the kids were very excited when I told them that they were going
to perform for their parents and perform they did, but that's other
day. By the way I forgot to mention that these were middle and elementary
school kids. They were all very excited and proud that they got to
create and perform like "real actor".
--
Ros
3/17/05
I have observed several of the workshops this week. Our company has done
an excellent job of bonding with the students. The staff here is extremely
pleased with the work we do. There is a feeling of excitement in the
air all the time. The student's eyes light up every time they see the
company. They are even happy to see me just because they know that I
am a part of the company, even though I have had very little interaction with
them. Guilt by association, I guess. One of the students, Steven,
is really amazing. He has some mental disabilities that keep him a few
steps behind the other students. As I observed him in the workshop
yesterday, I noticed that he was mimicking the other kids and not really understanding
the process. All of a sudden, he got it! He knew what to do and
why he was doing it. It was just like the scene from the MMiracleWorker
when Helen understands the words for the first time! Steven was actually
participating, not just mimicking the others. It really is important
work we do.
Our other important work is still at hand. We are on a quest for LOBSTER! This
is the off season, much to my surprise. I assumed that there were always
lobster. Wrong! Many of the restaurants and seafood markets are
closed. I don't know if the surprise late snow is the cause or if
its the lack of tourist or something else entirely. I just know that
we will not be leaving here without eating any MAINE LOBSTER! Like I
said, it really is important work we do!
--Willette, Company Manager
3/17/05
Thursday on the 17th in the morning at PHS. It's our first
experience to
give ASL workshops. Basically, Jennifer and I talk about our background,
growing up and how we became deaf except for Meredith because she was born
hearing and always will be hearing, smile. We also explain our frustrations
in main
stream public schools with lack of communication access. Those students
learned how communication accesses are very important to the deaf world and
us.
We showed our ABC STORY and NAME GAME. The students were fascinating and
they learned their NAME GAMES too.
In the late afternoon, we have another drama
workshop with different
students from ASL workshops. We did Mask, Bubble Gum Game, 1,2,3, Phone
Lines and Fairy Tale Tableau. Most students like Phone Lines and Fairy
Tale Tableau because there is a lot of physical activities and visual reception.
We,
Luis, Jennifer and Meredith really enjoyed working together to make these
workshops successful! Even Students love us!
-- Luis |
