Queens Theatre to offer virtual training
program for deaf and disabled actors
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
Applications are now being
accepted for the fourth
round of the Theatre For All
(TFA) training program. The
free, two-week program presented
by Queens Theatre
(QT) is offered to deaf and
disabled theater professionals
to hone their skills and
practice their craft through
targeted workshops.
Due to the pandemic, this
year’s workshops and events
will be hosted virtually. The
virtual workshops — taught
by disabled and non-disabled
industry professionals, including
actors Brigid Brady,
Christine Bruno, Clark Jackson,
Diana Jordan and Marilee
Talkington — run from
Sunday, June 20, through
Thursday, July 1, and will
focus on auditioning, acting,
improvisation, musical theater,
voice and movement.
Registration for the beginner
level introduction
to acting, early career-level
and working actor-level programs
is open to individuals
who identify as deaf or
disabled, ages 18 and up.
The program will culminate
with a public sharing and an
industry showcase performance
for the early careerlevel
and working actor-level
programs.
Gregg Mozgala, Queens
Theatre’s director of inclusion,
said their goal is to
support skill building and
to help actors of all abilities
cultivate relationships with
their fellow students and industry
professionals.
“Offering these workshops
remotely gives us the
opportunity to welcome more
actors from the deaf and disabled
community throughout
New York City and the
nation, who otherwise would
have faced barriers to participation
based on economics
or geography,” Mozgala said.
Queens Theatre is committed
to working with artists,
adults and children from the
disability community and doing
more to fully reach audience
members with disabilities
from Queens and throughout
New York City. The virtual
training program is one component
of the larger Theatre
for All (TFA) initiative, an international
effort that includes
community conversations, national
TIMESLEDGER | Q 32 NS.COM | MAY 21-MAY 27, 2021
convenings and artistic
programming.
As the theater, film and
television industries evolve
to become more inclusive
and intentional about representing
the lives of deaf and
disabled people authentically
on stages and screens,
Queens Theatre wants to provide
high-quality, accessible
training and networking
opportunities for disabled
actors who will and create
those roles, said Taryn Sacramone,
Queens Theatre executive
director.
“As theater producers
ourselves, we are always
looking to grow our artistic
family. With every round of
our Theatre For All training
program, we have been building
an incredible network of
talented people. We are invested
in the success of all of
Courtesy of Queens Theatre
our Theatre For All alumni,”
Sacramone said.
This year’s Theatre for
All training program is
made possible with support
from The Richmond County
Savings Foundation.
Reach reporter Carlotta
Mohamed by e-mail at
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone at (718) 260–
4526.
2022
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