Articles

HCC Central, Ensemble Theatre collaborate to enhance art experience to Deaf community

By Donald Sparks, HCC Central Communications Director

Oct 10, 2024

From left to right: Nina Belekova, Ashley Busby, Vanessa Parada and Madeline Hensley.

For nearly 40 years, two neighboring institutions—Houston Community College (HCC) Central and the Ensemble Theatre—have attracted creative talent from across Houston. HCC Central focuses on higher education, while the Ensemble Theatre offers theatrical education for the entire community.

Eileen Morris, who has served as the Ensemble's artistic director since 1990, said the theatre has had a long-standing relationship with HCC Central since the mid-1990s. She views the partnership not only as one of neighbors but as artistic collaborators, working together to strengthen the community and the quality of their programs.

"It began with relationship building with Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher [HCC Chancellor], who provided dramaturgical input for our Zora Neale Hurston play Spunk," Morris said. "In the early 2000s, James V. Thomas became HCC Central’s technical director, and together we forged another part of this partnership. We shared space, resources, materials, and technical artists, and that collaboration continues to this day."

Five years ago, the relationship grew further when a partnership developed with HCC’s American Sign Language/Interpreting Training program. Students began interpreting shows to make the theater accessible to Houston’s Deaf community, fulfilling a necessary need.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, James Virgilio, professor of HCC’s ASL/IT program, was approached by BOLD Artistic Director Rachel Dickson about offering upper-level or graduating students class credit for interpreting shows.

“We immediately agreed, and our students got to work,” Virgilio said. “The first show we interpreted was Freeda Peoples. Our students enjoyed that show and couldn’t wait for the next one.”

However, the pandemic lockdown delayed future performances. Virgilio noted that the students were excited when the theater reached out to resume the collaboration. Since the spring of 2023, HCC students have interpreted one show per semester, on a select weekend.

The Ensemble Theatre welcomed the student interns into the rehearsal process, allowing them to gain insight into character development, interactions, movements, and emotions.

“The interpreting interns learn quickly that an interpreter needs to prepare as much as possible for a performance, and shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought,” Virgilio said. “After ‘show days,’ our interns feel both relief for completing the performances and a tremendous sense of accomplishment.”

Only students enrolled in internship courses are eligible to interpret at the theater. Virgilio added that these students have completed or are completing their coursework, making them prepared to interpret at a professional level.

Dickson sees the ASL students as the future of the arts, noting that the Deaf community is often underrepresented in theater experiences.

“If we can make theater more accessible with young people at the helm, it’s a win-win for everyone,” Dickson said. “The Ensemble Theatre offers resources from which HCC students can learn, and HCC students bring skills that we can help enhance. HCC’s outreach speaks to how it values its students, aligning with our efforts to nurture young talent and preserve the art form.”

For ASL student Vanessa Prada, interpreting the play Stew was both frightening and rewarding.

“It’s scary because I’ve never interpreted in front of an audience before, but I know I’ll learn so much by doing instead of just watching,” Prada said. “I had to immerse myself in the characters to be fluent and understand their language.”

Fellow students Nina Belekova, Ashley Busby, Madeline Hensley, and Logan Redford gained confidence from the experience. Despite having the script and attending rehearsals, they still had to listen carefully in case the actors missed or changed words.

“As we prepare, I encourage students to think about how to interpret the play’s ideas at a deeper level, beyond just word-for-word translation,” Virgilio said. “In the end, I’m always filled with pride for what they’ve accomplished.”

Feedback from the Ensemble Theatre’s Deaf patrons has been positive.

“Many are grateful for another way to experience and understand the art,” Morris said.

From left to right: Ashley Busby, Madeline Hensley, Nina Belekova and Vanessa Parada.