National Theatre of the Deaf Annual Summer at Hygienic Event in its Third Year this Summer 2014

For Immediate Release                       

Contact: Kate Munsell, media@ntd.org

July 15, 2014                                         

National Theatre of the Deaf Annual Summer at Hygienic Event in its Third Year this Summer 2014

New London, CT: The National Theatre of the Deaf (NTD) is pleased to announce the Third Annual Summer at the Hygienic event this August 17, 20, and 24. Performance times will be at 1pm each day.

Admission is free to the public and audience members are encouraged to bring their lunch, relax and enjoy a family-friendly story hour at the Hygienic Art Park in downtown New London.

Now in its third year, the National Theatre of the Deaf’s annual free programming is quickly becoming a New London summer staple. This year, the Hygienic Art Park will premier the theatre’s newest production, A Show of Hands. The work was developed at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, CT, and was made possible by a grant from the Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee and the City of New London Water Authority Community Fund. NTD returns this summer to the Hygienic Art Park in downtown New London, CT, having performed See Our Signs! last year to great success and ceremony.

A Show of Hands is an original theatrical piece created and developed by NTD Executive Director Betty Beekman and features the National Theatre of the Deaf acting company: returning actresses Chrissy Cogswell, and Christopher Joseph, along with two actors new to the company this summer.

“Being at the Hygienic again this year gives us a great presence in New London,” says Ms. Beekman. “We get to see the audience laughing and know they’re learning more about deaf culture and the ability of deaf artists from our show. We get to see the audience leave our shows in high spirits and take part in the community: browsing the shops, having lunch, chatting with the actors, asking questions. Seeing that, it’s a wonderful feeling.” Ms. Beekman also expressed her gratitude to the sponsors that made this year’s performances a free event for the local community and visitors.

Each performance of A Show of Hands is approximately 50-55 minutes in length and will be performed simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English, NTD’s signature style. The production features an innovative set design that explores the nature of American Sign Language communication in a fun environment, sprinkled with poems, fables, and improvisation. Audience members can meet and talk with the actors and director after each performance. Per NTD’s core mission, audiences will open their eyes and ears to deaf culture through the arts.

Performance Schedule for A Show of Hands at the Hygienic Art Park: 

August 17 at 1pm

August 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 at 1pm

These performances are free to the public. The Hygienic Art Park is located at 79 Bank Street, New London, CT.

Additional funding for NTD is provided by the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Ann M and Sultan Ahamed Foundation, J. Walton Bissell Foundation, Connecticut Office of the Arts, State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Ensworth Charitable Foundation, The Katherine Lindsay Howell Fund, The Frederick Loewe Foundation, The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, The Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, Bank of America, N.A. Trustee, Strong-Cuevas Foundation, Target, Vitac, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Members of the press are welcome at any performance. Please contact NTD Offices ahead of time to schedule interviews. For more information about NTD/LTD log on to www.ntd.org.

Hygienic Art is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to creating an enriching cultural experience in the city of New London, CT. Performances at the Hygienic Art Park will allow NTD to bring this worthwhile and entertaining program to the greatest number of children and family audiences. For more information about Hygienic Art, call 860-443-8001 or log on to hygienic.org.