Visual Arts
Deaf people have a long history in the visual arts. In WA, we have our share of talented Deaf people in the visual arts through fine arts, theatre, visual vernacular (poetry), photography, film, and more.
Deaf Pan
Robert Farmer established a Deaf Kids Theatre group in 2006 after successfully obtaining an Arts WA grant. 13 Deaf children signed up and Robert conducted workshops and prepared a script with the kids. It was a collective effort, and at the end of the project, they performed a show titled "Deaf Pan" - a spin off from "Peter Pan". The shows were held at Shenton College Arts Arena.
The cast: Joshua Levitzke-Gray as Pan, Dylan Malden as Hook, Alexandra Shaw as Wendi, Courtney Shaw as Johnno, Vanessa Ravlich as Michaela and Pinky, Andrew O'Neill as Smee, Jaden Smith as Pirate U, Lost girls - Marie Rye as Leader, Natasha Ravlich as Mischievo, Drisana Levitzke-Gray as Nerda, Jessica Triplett as Twin 1, Chrissie Triplett as Twin 2 and Phoebe Boyd as Little One.
WA Deaf Film Club
The WA Deaf Film Club was established by a group of Deaf people who were avid cinemagoers and wanted to make accessible films in Auslan in the 1970's-80's . Six films were made in total. The group did everything from script writing, directing, camera operating, acting, wardrobe and editing etc. The titles of the films are: Murder for Nothing, The Treasure Island, The East Side Story, The Police Story, Class of 75 and Runaway.
Rae Gibson
Rae Gibson was born Deaf due to Rubella and was a boarder at Mosman Park School for Deaf Children, going home on weekends. Her parents were in contact with the John Tracy Clinic in the US and learnt of techniques to allow Deaf children to access instruction in music and dance. From an early age Rae studied ballet, jazz, and piano, with her mother acting as an interpreter during classes.
Rae left school at 15, and after her first job at a printers, decided to pursue her dream of being in the theatre. An illustrious career followed, with skills in ballet, jazz, tap, theatre, juggling, fire-eating, clowning and mime. Rae has travelled Australia and the world, including training and performing with the American Theatre of the Deaf, during which she also had to learn American Sign Language.
In recent years Rae helped to establish the WA Deaf Arts group and acted and directed in a production of Cabaret that was performed in Auslan. With WADA, Rae has also directed performances at festivals and concerts around the state, as well as a production of 'Alice in One-Deaf-land', a play based on 'Alice in Wonderland' in Auslan and English that was very popular with Deaf children.
