[Perform-talk] Audio description

[Masha Sten-Clanton]

Where was this company, Maria? It doesn't sound like Theater by the 
Blind in New York (Now Theater Breaking Through Barriers, as I think 
they've branched out to other disabilities.)

Julie, I love your idea -- though I suppose we'd also need a sighted 
choreographer -- or maybe not, now that I think of it?

Masha


On 6/7/2015 4:38 PM, Julie McGinnity via Perform-talk wrote:
> This is very interesting.
>
> What we need to do is put on a production with all blind...  Blind
> directors, actors, musicians if we choose to do a musical that is.  Of
> course, employing sighted people to assess stage lighting and the look
> of the costumes would be fine, but all decisions would be made by the
> blind.  I have heard of this company and find it interesting that
> theater "by the blind" doesn't have blind directors.
>
>
> I'm so glad we have actors on this list!  I think how the blind are
> treated as actors is a very important topic and one the division
> should discuss.
>
> On 6/7/15, Maria  via Perform-talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi Masha,
>>
>> Very well said.  It did ruin the experience for me.
>>
>> Still, I love acting and I'm hoping to someday find a way to get involved
>> in
>> the industry again.
>>
>> Maria
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> Masha Sten-Clanton via Perform-talk
>> Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2015 6:04 AM
>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>> Cc: Masha Sten-Clanton
>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>
>> Hi Maria:
>>
>> I think my reactions to that sort of thing would be very similar to yours.
>> I
>> wouldn't mind telling (very true) stories about how I couldn't participate
>> in musicals in high school because they just assumed I couldn't dance (and
>> didn't try to teach me). Or how difficult it is to get parts when directors
>> are looking for chemistry during an audition, and what they mean by
>> chemistry is often the ability for actors to give each other signals by
>> looking at each other. But I would want to tell these stories in an effort
>> to help people think about expanding our opportunities, not in order for
>> some guy to set himself up as my savior and collect money for same. That
>> sounds intensely humiliating, and almost enough to ruin the experience.
>>
>>
>> On 6/6/2015 10:52 PM, Maria via Perform-talk wrote:
>>> Hi Masha,
>>>
>>> For about 4 years I was part of an all blind theater company.  Perhaps
>>> you have heard of it.  Anyway, At first it was wonderful and I learned
>>> so much and I feel that I grew so much as an actress.  However, as
>>> time went on I began to realize that something was not right about this
>> theater company.
>>> It is a nonprofit so of course there was a lot of fund raising and
>>> kick starters, however, to me it just seemed a bit excessive.  In
>>> addition, the director, which is sighted,  would make all the members
>>> tell there saddest most pathetic stories after the plays in order to
>>> gain the audiences sympathy and in so doing getting them to donate
>>> even more.  I loved doing the plays but I just hated that afgter the
>>> play he made us stand stage center and tell these tear jerking and
>>> totally depressing stories.  He would then emphasize how he was making
>>> such a positive difference on all our lives.  Long story short,
>>> according to him, he was the reason we had finally found a little joy in
>> our dark and lonely lives.
>>>
>>> I finally got sick of it and brought up all of my concerns.  Needless
>>> to say that this did not go well.
>>>
>>> Anyway, it's been over a year since I left CRE Outreach, and even
>>> though I do miss performing, I don't miss the manipulation and begging
>>> for
>> money.
>>>
>>> Now I'm looking for new ways to get involved once again in the
>>> beautiful art of acting.
>>>
>>> Maria
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
>>> Of Masha Sten-Clanton via Perform-talk
>>> Sent: Saturday, June 06, 2015 4:47 PM
>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>> Cc: Masha Sten-Clanton
>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>
>>> Hi Maria:
>>>
>>> I do community theater, so not many roles call for blind or visually
>>> impaired characters. I find out about the theaters and sign up for
>>> their mailing lists, and thus get notices about auditions.
>>>
>>> What about you?
>>>
>>> Masha
>>>
>>> On 6/6/2015 3:33 PM, Maria via Perform-talk wrote:
>>>> Hi Mosha,
>>>>
>>>> How do you hear about auditions?  And, do you only audition to roles
>>>> that call for blind or visually impaired characters?  Just wondering.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Maria
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
>>>> Of Masha Sten-Clanton via Perform-talk
>>>> Sent: Saturday, June 06, 2015 10:28 AM
>>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>>> Cc: Masha Sten-Clanton
>>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>>
>>>> I'll contact you, Sandra! Yes, I find that even going to auditions is
>>>> helpful, even when I don't get cast, because it's an opportunity to
>>>> work on something and to experience how different people might
>>>> interpret the same material.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 6/6/2015 1:17 PM, Sandra Gayer via Perform-talk wrote:
>>>>> Hello everyone,
>>>>> Sorry I'm late to this thread. I'm a Soprano Singer and Radio
>>>>> Presenter. I'm a soloist in an opera at the moment which celebrates
>>>>> the 800th anniversary of the signing of The Magna Carta.
>>>>>
>>>>> How difficult the work is to find, very much depends on where you
>>>>> look, how you sell yourself and, last but by no means least, how
>>>>> good you are at your craft!  Acting is no different. If you want
>>>>> work in these fields, you need experience. You can't get experience
>>>>> unless you are experienced. However, you can get experience
>>>>> volunteering in local groups. There is also experience to be gained
>>>>> on acting courses/vocal studies courses, auditions for jobs etc. Go
>>>>> to plays, concerts, musicals or another performances you feel
>>>>> relevant to see and hear how the professionals do things. Learn all
>>>>> you can. Every situation is an opportunity to learn something. Even
>>>>> auditions, (whether you get the part or not), is an opportunity to
>>>>> get something positive; hear a piece of music which suits your voice
>>>>> which you have never heard, make a contact...
>>>>>
>>>>> If anyone wants further help on getting work in the arts, contact me
>>>>> off list at sandragayer7 at gmail.com Very best wishes, Sandra.
>>>>>
>>>>> On 5/31/15, Rob Kaiser via Perform-talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>> i
>>>>>> It is just as hard to find singing jobs as well.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Rob Kaiser
>>>>>> email;
>>>>>> rcubfank at sbcglobal.net
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: Maria via Perform-talk
>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 7:52 PM
>>>>>> To: 'Performing Arts Division list'
>>>>>> Cc: Maria
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Masha,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I love your name.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Please feel free to write to me off list.  I'd love to talk to you
>>>>>> about my acting experience.  It has been very difficult to find
>>>>>> acting jobs, but when I do find them they are awesome.  There is
>>>>>> nothing I enjoy more than acting.
>>>>>> Sadly, it is so very difficult to find work in this industry.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>> Maria
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>>> Behalf Of Masha Sten-Clanton via Perform-talk
>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 4:40 PM
>>>>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>>>>> Cc: Masha Sten-Clanton
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi mMaria:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> About three years ago, the NFB did a training for blind people
>>>>>> wishing to enter that field. I think the idea was that a sighted
>>>>>> person would write the descriptions and the blind person could
>>>>>> check them for things like conciseness, non-condescension, and
>>>>>> whether they contained not enough or too much information. I
>>>>>> applied for the training but didn't get in -- it was highly
>>>>>> competitive. I have no idea how it went or how successful the
>>>>>> trainees were at securing jobs in the field. You might want to call
>>>>>> the National Center and ask for Natalie Shaheen -- I think she was
>>>>>> in charge of organizing the program, and she might have some
>> information.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Good luck!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Masha
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 5/30/2015 6:49 PM, Maria via Perform-talk wrote:
>>>>>>> Thanks Rob, it is much appreciated.  I also love acting but it's
>>>>>>> so very hard to get into that industry.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Good luck with everything you do!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Maria
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>>>> Behalf Of Rob Kaiser via Perform-talk
>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 3:09 PM
>>>>>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>>>>>> Cc: Rob Kaiser
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Okay. Good luck on that. I am a singer myself and am still trying
>>>>>>> to see what I can do to get into the music business even at the
>>>>>>> young age of
>>>>>> 55.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Again, good luck on your endever.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Rob Kaiser
>>>>>>> email;
>>>>>>> rcubfank at sbcglobal.net
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: Maria via Perform-talk
>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 3:06 PM
>>>>>>> To: 'Performing Arts Division list'
>>>>>>> Cc: Maria
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Doing audio description.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>>>> Behalf Of Rob Kaiser via Perform-talk
>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 2:52 PM
>>>>>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>>>>>> Cc: Rob Kaiser
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Could you be more spesific as to what you are trying to do? Are
>>>>>>> you trying to get acting jobs, or are you trying to do somehing
>>>>>>> rerding audio description?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Rob Kaiser
>>>>>>> email;
>>>>>>> rcubfank at sbcglobal.net
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: Maria via Perform-talk
>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 2:36 PM
>>>>>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>>>>>> Cc: Maria
>>>>>>> Subject: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi, my name is Maria and I am a totally blind woman living in the
>>>>>>> Los Angeles County.  I came across an email regarding the audio
>>>>>>> description awards and I wanted to express just how wonderful I
>>>>>>> think the audio description field is.  It truly does enrich the
>>>>>>> watching experience for many blind and visually impaired people.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Having said that, there is nothing I would like more than to know
>>>>>>> how I could become part of this field.  I am an avid Braille
>>>>>>> reader and I have also done some acting.  I think this career
>>>>>>> would be absolutely perfect for me.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Would anyone on this list be able to point me in the right
>>>>>>> direction so that I can pursue this type of employment?  For
>>>>>>> example, where could I get training in this field?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I Thank you in advance for your time and assistance with this.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Maria
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The greatness comes not when things are always going well for you.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> But the greatness comes when you're really tested,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> when you take some knocks, some disappointments, when sadness
>>>>>>> comes...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Because only if you've been in the deepest valley
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest
>>>>>>> mountain.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
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>
>