Face Value is an engaging humorous theatre-in-education show about prejudice, focussing on relationships between “hearies” and “deafies”.
Members of the audience participate, being invited to turn around signs such as “Stereotype” or “Archetype”. On the reverse of the stereotypes are situations like driving, on the internet, in class, diving, in a nightclub, ignorance at high school. The three performers act out two scenes for each heading, one as hearies and one as deafies. Archetypes have names of successful deaf people on the reverse. An audience member is invited on stage to take the podium as if being filmed and reads an information sheet about heroic people.
The show begins with a set of pictures:
Which is the blind person? Which is the Muslim person? And finally, which is the deaf person? The fact that deaf people are not obvious is the source of much of the difficulty they face with hearing people, demonstrated in the acted out scenes. Sample scenes are performed first, showing the frustrations and aggressiveness of hearies. At the end, after the message has been presented in the stereotype scenes, the same sample scenes are shown with sensible hearies who understand that being deaf does not mean being stupid or deliberately obstructive.
The young performers, Bowyn, Michael and Bethany, were expert in mime and communicating with the audience. A sense of fun combined with neatly designed set and props makes an hour seem short, and the message comes through clearly.
I would recommend AToD very highly for schools or perhaps teenage clubs. Details:
Years: 7—12
Duration: 50 minutes + Q & A
Cost: $5.00 per student
Minimum Cost: $600.00 per show (Fees for non school shows by negotiation).
Max. Audience: 300
Teachers’ Kit: Comprehensive kit with activities, information about deaf issues and the issue of prejudice behind the title Face Value.
Requirements: Area 6m x 6m, power outlet, 45 minute set up time
http://www.ozdeaftheatre.com/school/highschool.htm
©Frank McKone, Canberra
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