Performing Arts Productions

Thy Name is Woman
November 9-12, 2023

Co-created by Jill Bradbury, Alexa Scott-Flaherty, and Andy Head
Lyndon Baines Johnson Hall (LBJ)

Produced collaboratively by RIT & NTID Performing Arts, Thy Name is Woman is an immersive adaptation of Hamlet. Set in a modern context, this production explores the character of Ophelia, one of Shakespeare's most under-developed female characters, and yet one of the most well-known and debated of Shakespeare's female roles. Thy Name Is Woman uses multi-sensory experiences and non-linear performance to investigate Ophelia's past, psychology, motivations, and desires, all the while inviting audiences to create their own understandings of her life and her decisions. Thy Name is Woman will offer performances in American Sign Language, spoken English, and Protactile.

*Content warning: This play contains content relating to domestic abuse and relational abuse, so some scenes may be triggering.
*Please be advised: This production contains flashing lights and the use of scents.

Performance Schedule - all performances will be open captioned

Deaf Hip Hop and Rap Festival
February 2024

Featuring Wawa, Sho’Roc, and more!
SHED – Sklarsky Glass Box Theater

This two day celebration of Deaf hip hop and rap will feature performances by top recording artists, as well as dance, translation, and musicality workshops.

Immersive Theatre Project
April 12-14, 2024

Conceived and directed by Ryan Underbakke
SHED – Sklarsky Glass Box Theater

The Immersive Theatre Project is a year-long creation process culminating in a student-made production. Story enthusiasts and artists of all kinds, from actors to game designers to LARPers, will all collaboratively develop a piece "in conversation with" the School for Performing Arts other spring production, Ada and the Engine by Lauren Gunderson. Students will spend the fall semester devising storytelling concepts based on theatrical space, thematic structure, and performance. In the spring semester, these ideas will be transformed into a theatrical showing that connects back to Ada. Throughout the production, students will lead decision-making for marketing, rehearsals, design, and performances.

Titus Andronicus
August 2024

Written by William Shakespeare
Adapted by Howie Seago, Lezlie Cross, and Christine Albright-Tufts
Robert F. Panara Theatre

In collaboration with Play On Shakespeare, NTID Performing Arts presents a professional production of Titus Andronicus featuring some of the top Deaf actors in the country. This special production features an adaptation developed as part of Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Play on! Initiative, which aimed to create opportunities for artists who have historically been left out of Shakespeare performance in the United States. Created by Deaf theatermaker Howie Seago, dramaturg Lezlie Cross and theatermaker Christine Albright-Tufts, the adaptation explores themes of language, power, and community that will resonate with Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing audiences. Titus is funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts and Play On Shakespeare.