Blind, deaf heroine portrayed on stage
The cast of a college production learned the deaf-blind alphabet in order to better portray the story of American educator and humanitarian Helen Keller.
Awatapu College has just wound up its production of The Miracle Worker, the story of teacher Anne Sullivan’s battle to teach the blind and deaf Keller to communicate in the late 1880s.
Sullivan taught Keller the deafblind alphabet – a method of spelling out words onto a deaf-blind person’s hand – and the entire stage show’s cast of 22 learned it, making use of it in their performance.
Many knew small amounts of New Zealand Sign Language from school. But it was exciting to learn a new language to the point they could communicate, Matilda Fyles, who played Sullivan, said.
‘‘I realised it doesn’t take us too long to pick up and we could say things to each other, and understand each other.
‘‘I think people are a bit reluctant to start learning sign language, but it’s not too hard, and I think it helps for more people to know it.’’
Aimee Dredge, who plays Keller, said her character started engaging with learning the new signs after her teacher made it a game.
Learning sign language was important, as it created an inclusive community and was one of New Zealand’s official languages, she said.
Jane Bennett, the teacher in charge of drama, said she chose the play because of the focus on overcoming disability.
‘‘I felt it would have a really big impact on our community because we have got the 400 [special needs] block and we have special needs students in some classes, so I thought it would really work in this environment.’’
New Zealand Sign Language Week started on May 8 and runs to May 14.