Many of you know that I am teaching the Art of Storytelling at Glendale Community College this fall. In my day class, I have four deaf students. I have had some experience with deaf people in the past. My ex wife was an educator of the deaf, and I learned sign language. I have also experienced storytelling being signed by interpreters for the deaf at festivals and concerts.
But teaching deaf students how to “tell” stories scared the %$^&* out of me. In addition, I had to look closely at my “definition” of storytelling. We usually talk about “oral” storytelling. But if one is deaf and doesn’t speak, it’s not oral, or aural for the audience. I found a definition that I like:
"Storytelling is the live art of narrative performance, dynamically shaped by audience response." Northlands Storytelling Network
I did some research on the internet, and with the help of many colleagues across the country, I discovered two deaf storytellers, Trix Bruce and Peter Cook. Here are two videos. Trix Bruce performing a story about Campfires. And Peter Cook giving an incredible lecture at the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Columbia College Chicago. Both fascinating!