Olney Theatre Center made a commitment in 2021 when we staged the bilingual Music Man in English and ASL to continue to find ways to engage deaf and ASL interpreting community. Our partners in this endeavor are Maryland Theatre Interpreter Training (MDTIT), Community College of Baltimore County and Joyful Signing. This is part of our larger mission to make theater accessible to deaf and hard of hearing audiences by including ASL interpreted shows.
Last season we offered theater focused ASL workshops on designated show nights that have ASL interpretations. This season we are engaging in a deeper way with MDTIT to support the training of interpreters.
MDTIT is a program that trains Directors of Artistic Sign Language (DASL), as well as deaf and hearing interpreters in theatre across the state of Maryland. In partnership with Olney Theatre Center, MDTIT aims to provide hands-on mentored interpreting and DASL opportunities in an ongoing effort to create a pipeline for well-trained, qualified, and talented interpreters and DASLs.
Intro to ASL in Theater workshop
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Thursday, April 18 at 6:00 PM
$10
Are you a current ASL student who is interested in pursuing a career in interpreting? Come and learn about one facet that the interpreting field has to offer - Theatre Interpreting for Performances! In this workshop, you will learn about theatre terminology and roles impacting the interpreter team, what preparation is involved, and some ethical situations that theatre interpreters navigate.
Dr. Lindsey D. Snyder is an ASL/English/IS interpreter and educator, Shakespeare/performance studies scholar, and theatre practitioner. In 2021, Lindsey was hired as the first on staff CHI (certified hearing interpreter) at the White House to team with the first on staff CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter). As a freelance interpreter she specializes in Shakespeare, performing arts, federal government interpreting, conference interpreting, and higher education. Lindsey recently consulted with Shakespeare’s Globe in London and was the project lead/director for the Royal Shakespeare Company Macbeth translation. As an educator, She has been an adjunct instructor and guest speaker at various universities. She is currently working on Private Jones at Signature Theatre, A Midsummer Night's Dream at the American Shakespeare Center, and Company at the Kennedy Center.
Mentor/Intern Training
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Ken Ludwig's Lend Me a Soprano: Thursday, March 7 at 7:30PM
Avaaz: Thursday, April 4 at 7:30PM
Long Way Down: Thursday, June 13 at 7:30PM
Beautiful The Carole King Musical: Thursday, July 25 at 7:30PMMentorship Milestones:
SELECTION: Three MDTIT cohort members would be chosen for the Olney Theatre 2023-2024 season and will be assigned 2 - 3 shows; Fall (3), Summer (2), and Spring (3).
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE: Mentors serve in the Lead role for the first show. Through the next 2 shows, the Lead will transition slowly to provide guidance and support while the MDTIT mentee transitions into the Lead role.
WRAP-UP: The final show includes a thorough wrap-up and review of the mentorship experience. Mentees and mentors review areas of growth and success, as well as a mentees preparedness for future theatre work.
FUTURE MENTORS: Mentees who have completed their practical experience, may be extended the opportunity to become mentors to the next round of MDTIT mentees.
Past Events
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Networking night for ASL interpreters/Theatre Access folks and students - Fiddler on the Roof: Thursday, December 7 at 7:30PM
Are you interested in exploring how American Sign Language (ASL) could enhance your venue’s experience? Would you like to learn more about ASL-interpreted performances? Do you want to know how to get more Deaf professionals, AKA a Director of Artistic Sign Language, involved with your company?
Maryland Theatre Interpreter Training (MDTIT) team is looking for companies to partner with to support the future of theatrical interpreting!
Join us for a Meet & Greet!
Thursday, December 7, 2023, 6:00 pm
Olney Theatre Center
2001 Olney Sandy Spring Rd, Olney, MD 20832- Event admission is free
- Wine, cheese, and other concessions will be provided
- A short informational presentation will be given; with time for Q&A
- Meet the mentors, mentees, and the Maryland Theatre Interpreter Training staff
- Learn about the benefits of becoming a partner
- Join us in a sign language-interpreted performance of Fiddler on the Roof. Email Su Kyong Isakson at sisakson@ccbcmd.ed after registering to receive a promo code for $25 tickets
Feel free to forward this invitation to other theatre coordinators and companies!
RSVP By December 5 with this form.
Event attendance is not required for partner consideration. If you are interested but unable to attend the Meet & Greet, please email Su Kyong Isakson at sisakson@ccbcmd.ed or indicate so in the RSVP form.
MDTIT is a program that trains Directors of Artistic Sign Language (DASL), as well as deaf and hearing interpreters in theatre across the state of Maryland. In partnership with Olney Theatre Center, MDTIT aims to provide hands-on mentored interpreting and DASL opportunities in an ongoing effort to create a pipeline for well-trained, qualified, and talented interpreters and DASLs.
Thank you to our Community Partners:
Olney Theatre Community College of Baltimore County
Joyful Signing, LLC
