Deaf West Theater

Gary Austin has formed an alliance with award winning Deaf West Theatre in North Hollywood, California. It's called The Gary Austin Workshops in Association with Deaf West Theatre. Gary is conducting workshops composed of both deaf and hearing actors, in preparation for an original production later this year.

Here is a letter one of his students wrote to Gary after workshop one night.

At first I was scared to death. For almost 34 years (Now I am 35), I always assumed that the deaf MUST follow the songs or rhythms. We were told that we CAN NOT invent or improv our own songs and rhythms. For years, I stared with awe at those who were able to move their lips so wide. The invisible words belted out, their arms crooked, and their eyes squeezed to follow the voice. Those people fascinated me. They were so wonderful. Their spirit could make the audience laugh, cry or even become crazy with excitement.

Finally Gary asked me to do my song. With Matt on guitar.Gary said that Matt could follow me. I did not believe him. But He made me do it and Matt followed. Everyday I move to my own internal rhythms. So do you. In your car or in the shower. The Universe gives us this gift of rhythms. Gary gave me a gift. That was the first time I ever shared my rhythms with anyone. I never really knew I had it until after I was done.

That stupid false myth that the deaf could not share their rhythms was gone.

Just like that. Gone. Now I believe that I can sing and give the audience joy. I can open wide, crook my arms, and squirt with emotion and excite the crowd."

-- Missy Keast