"As on the Stage: Increasing the Diversity of Performance ASL Interpreters"

Training Opportunity for Interpreters of Color

Do you have an interest, or potential interest, in performance interpreting? Would you like to explore what is involved and earn some CEUs?

I am offering a performance interpreting training for interpreters of color which officially starts next week (the week of October 1, 2018) - with watching the interpreted performance of The Color Purple* (*no cost to workshop participants, see details and an overview below).

My RACC grant application for "As on the Stage: Increasing the Diversity of Performance ASL Interpreters" - a training for POC interpreters, was approved - which means that the cost of this workshop/training is free for Interpreters of Color. The training includes discussion and instruction, as well as hands-on experience and watching other performance interpreters do the work. The interpreters involved in the the hands-on "internship" shows will be paid, thanks to the grant. The grant will also cover the cost of tickets to see the interpreted shows, so there will be no out of pocket expense to you.

The culmination of the training is preparing to interpret and interpreting "Crowns" at Portland Playhouse in March. For this, Pam Cancel will be coming up to Portland to be the primary mentor in that show preparation; and the 4-5 of the participants who interpret that show will all be paid performance interpreter rates. Pam will be involved at other times, as well; the how and when are being worked out.

There is no obligation in terms of future performance interpreting work. We need POC interpreters in the theater and I hope that you will find it fun and want to join us! If you want to check it out, give it a try, email me with any questions or to sign up **with IOC training in the subject line.

The basics:

- there will be a total of 15 hours of in-person workshop spread out, starting in October and going into March (process of preparation, resources, tips and tools, practice with source material, and so on). Participation in this training is free for POC Interpreters. 

- attend the interpreted performance of "The Color Purple" at Portland Center Stage on Thu 10/4 at 7:30 pm. The cost of tickets for participants is covered by the grant. The reason I hope everyone can make this show is because the story was written by a POC playwright about POC experience, with POC actors and POC interpreters (Pam and Edwin Cancel are coming up from Ashland). If a participant cannot attend this performance, another one will be substituted.

- Participants will observe two interpreted performances, hopefully The Color Purple will be one, plus one more, between Oct-Mar (there are more than 15 to choose from in that time frame).

- participants will do a hands-up internship on one interpreted performance prior to "Crowns" : the two selected shows are "Twist Your Dickens" on 12/13/18 @7:30pm and "Sense & Sensibility" on 1/31/19 @7:30pm. These internships are paid, thanks to the grant. (If neither of those work, we will negotiate a different play.)  Preference for these hands-on internship positions will be given to interpreters with more than two years of interpreting experience. Newer POC interpreters are absolutely welcome at the training; and there will be additional internship opportunities if needed so that everyone has the hands-on experience.

- several participants (probably 4) will interpret "Crowns" on March 20th @7:30pm. We'll be adding Pam Cancel as mentor and she will be in town for a week to work with those interpreters. All interpreters will be paid regular performance interpreting rate, thanks to the grant.

- CEU approval is pending. This is most likely going to be done as PINRA due to an emergency with the original sponsor. As of now, the estimated CEU total is 3 (not interpreting Crowns) to 4 (interpreting Crowns). The grant covers all costs associated with CEU processing. 

stickers available at  HandSCreationsShop on Etsy

Theatrical Interpreting Preparation Series Workshop, Part I for 2014-15

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I'm happy to announce that RID has approved up to 3.6 CEUs (CMP and ACET) for the third session of the Theatrical Interpreting Preparation Series (TIPS), Part I, workshop. Preregistration is required and deposits must be received by November 25, 2014. The workshop begins on Saturday, December 6, 2014. See the flyer for full details (link below in overview).

This season I am also offering the TIPS III Study Group (currently under way) and I will be offering TIPS II in April 2015. For TIPS II, Sign Coach Irene Jazowick will be joining me to work with participants in the mentored intensive workshop.  I am also developing a new focused Study Group for spring 2015.

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Theatrical Interpreting Preparation Series (TIPS), part I

overview

Description: This workshop will provide participants training in and exposure to the process of performance interpreting, using theater as a vehicle. This initial training is intended for new interpreters, but all levels are welcome. We will meet twice a month on Saturdays for four months, beginning December 2014. Participants will learn different approaches to theatrical interpreting and explore topics such as script analysis, incorporating characterization, translation, altering signing style for the venue and the production, linguistic considerations, and more.  Through a series of meetings, combined with exposure to specific interpreted performances, participants will gain the basic skills necessary for a variety of performing arts situations. Completion of this training is a requirement for the advanced mentored training, which goes through the entire process from receiving the script, translation, preparation, to interpreting a performance of the project show.

You can access the TIPS I flyer here, which includes the dates, fees, included plays, presenter bio, and the registration form.

Fee: $450 includes tickets to all four shows. Preregistration is required with a $100 deposit due by November 25th; this is non-refundable and includes a ticket to the first play. If paid in full by or on our first meeting, you will receive 10% off the workshop fee.

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Presenter: Dot Hearn, CI & CT, has been doing performance interpreting since 1997. Portland Center Stage, where she has coordinated the interpreting teams since 2003, was one of her first theatrical interpreting venues. She has also interpreted plays at IFCC, Oregon Children’s Theatre, Profile Theatre, Artists Repertory Theatre, Portland Community College (PCC), OSF in Ashland, and more. Dot graduated from the PCC Sign Language Interpreting Program and went on to become adjunct faculty in that program for eleven years. Dot earned a BS degree from Eastern Oregon University, with a Liberal Arts degree and a double minor in Theater and Writing. In 2001, Dot attended the “Interpreting for the Theater” intensive week-long training in New York City, which was held at Juilliard. That training and the instructors have been instrumental in shaping Dot’s approach to theatrical interpreting and her mentoring of interpreters new to this specialty area. She also served on the RID task force to develop a performance interpreting standard practice paper.
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update: Theatrical Interpreting Preparation Series CEUs

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Up to 3.6 CEUs have been approved by RID for the Theatrical Interpreting Preparation Series ( TIPS) workshop, part I.

We will meet for two Saturdays per month, plus one interpreted performance per month, for a period of four months. The workshop will begin on December 7, 2013; the dates and times, with additional information, are on the workshop flyer (click the link).

Description: This workshop will provide participants training in and exposure to the process of performance interpreting, using theater as a vehicle. This initial training is intended for new interpreters, but all levels are welcome. We will meet twice a month on Saturdays for four months, beginning December 2013. Participants will learn different approaches to theatrical interpreting and explore topics such as script analysis, incorporating characterization, translation, altering signing style for the venue and the production, linguistic considerations, and more.  Through a series of meetings, combined with exposure to specific interpreted performances, participants will gain the basic skills necessary for a variety of performing arts situations. Completion of this training is a requirement for the advanced mentored training, which goes through the entire process from receiving the script, translation, preparation, to interpreting a performance of the project show. 

Click to read and download the  TIPS I flyer, which includes the registration page.
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workshop: Theatrical Interpreting Preparation Series (TIPS), part I

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Announcing the Theatrical Interpreting Preparation Series (TIPS), part I, workshop for the 2013-14 season!

We will meet for two Saturdays per month, plus one interpreted performance per month, for a period of four months. The workshop will begin on December 7, 2013; the exact dates and times are on the workshop flyer (see below).

Description: This workshop will provide participants training in and exposure to the process of performance interpreting, using theater as a vehicle. This initial training is intended for new interpreters, but all levels are welcome. We will meet twice a month on Saturdays for four months, beginning December 2013. Participants will learn different approaches to theatrical interpreting and explore topics such as script analysis, incorporating characterization, translation, altering signing style for the venue and the production, linguistic considerations, and more.  Through a series of meetings, combined with exposure to specific interpreted performances, participants will gain the basic skills necessary for a variety of performing arts situations. Completion of this training is a requirement for the advanced mentored training, which goes through the entire process from receiving the script, translation, preparation, to interpreting a performance of the project show. 

You can access the TIPS I flyer here, which includes the dates, fees, included plays, presenter bio, and the registration form.

CEUs are currently pending. Last year's participants received up to 3.6 CEUs (see the flyer for more details).

Fee: $450 includes tickets to all four shows. Preregistration is required with a $100 deposit due by November 25^th; this is non-refundable and includes a ticket to the first play. If paid in full by or on our first meeting, you will receive 10% off the workshop fee.

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Presenter: Dot Hearn, CI & CT, has been doing performance interpreting since 1997. Portland Center Stage, where she has coordinated the interpreting teams since 2003, was one of her first theatrical interpreting venues. She has also interpreted plays at IFCC, Oregon Children’s Theatre, Profile Theatre, Artists Repertory Theatre, Portland Community College (PCC), OSF in Ashland, and more. Dot graduated from the PCC Sign Language Interpreting Program and went on to become adjunct faculty in that program for eleven years. Dot earned a BS degree from Eastern Oregon University, with a Liberal Arts degree and a double minor in Theater and Writing. In 2001, Dot attended the “Interpreting for the Theater” intensive week-long training in New York City, which was held at Juilliard. That training and the instructors have been instrumental in shaping Dot’s approach to theatrical interpreting and her mentoring of interpreters new to this specialty area. 

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*update* Theatrical Interpreting Preparation Series

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RID approved CEUs for the "Theatrical Interpreting Preparation Series" workshop as follows:

Up to 3.6 CEUs, Professional Studies, Content Level: Some, Specialty Area: Performing Arts, offered for this workshop through The Language Door, an approved RID CMP & ACET sponsor. Activity #0264-1212-01.

There are a few seats left if you are interested but have not yet mailed in your registration. You can drop me an email at the link to the right if you are interested and then follow up by submitting your registration and deposit before the deadline. The registration form and other information is included on the flyer, which you can view and download by clicking on the link "Theatrical Interpreting Preparation Series".

Many thanks to The Language Door for processing the paperwork and sponsoring this activity.
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Theatrical Interpreting Intensive Mentored Workshop

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The second theatrical interpreting workshop will be in April 2013 and will be a more intensive mentored training. There will be a project play and we - no, you - will be going through the entire process of theatrical interpreting preparation, leading to the final event of the group of chosen participants interpreting a matinee of the play. We will meet twice a week as a group, which will include attending the play for rehearsal purposes.

Prerequisites for this workshop are

•  completion of the Theatrical Interpreting Preparation Series (TIPS) 
•  audition at the end of March (date and time TBA)

Additional basic information:

•  our first meeting will be the first week of April 2013
•  we will begin seeing the project play the week of April 9 (evening performances; there may also be opportunities to attend a matinee on a Thursday or a weekend day)
•  cost will be $200
•  CEU/ACET will be offered if RID approves application 

More information will be available in December.
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Theatrical Interpreting Preparation Series workshop

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I'm happy to announce that I am offering a four-month theatrical interpreting training program which will begin on December 1st, 2012. This series workshop is intended for newer interpreters, but any skill level is welcome. Click on the link below to view the PDF of the flyer. Feel free to save a copy  so you can print out and return the registration page, or pass along to colleagues who may be interested

Theatrical Interpreting Preparation Series (TIPS)

We will meet for three hours on two Saturday afternoons a month from December 2012 to March 2013.  You will also be attending one interpreted Thursday evening performance per month during that same period.  The exact dates and times are listed on the flyer.

CMP and ACET are currently pending approval. I will update information when the paperwork is processed. These CEUs will be offered at no additional charge. CEUs awarded will be applied to transcripts for 2013.

All sessions of both the workshop and interpreted performance observations will be at Portland Center Stage in Portland, Oregon.


NOTE: There will be an advanced, intensive mentored training offered in April 2013; more details to come. This introductory training is a requirement, along with an audition, for that advanced training.

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P.A.I.A. website update

The Performance Arts Interpreting Alliance website was updated today. More features have been added, with more still to come. Stay tuned.

The interpreted plays at Portland Center Stage for the 2012-13 season are listed, as well as a couple of shows at other venues. Dates for the PCS blog posts are also listed.

Upcoming workshop and mentoring/training dates will be added when details are confirmed.

The contact page is now up, as well, which includes mailing address and an email submission form.  Both Twitter and Facebook links are available on the home page.