Star Search shines bright
The cast and crew of LCC's Sign Language Program celebrate after the 2012 fall performance of Star Search Oct. 13. (Photo courtesy of LCC Star Search Facebook)
Joe Israel
A & E Editor
LCC Performing Arts collaborated with the Sign Language Interpreter Program to put on the immensely popular Star Search Oct. 13.
LCC beginning and advanced students as well as alumni were front and center at Dart Auditorium as musical entertainment was revamped.
The production blended popular music of the day while performers used their talents to communicate the lyrics of said songs using sign language.
13 songs were selected and performed by the ambitious and multi-talented group of individuals. The purpose of the event was clear, as producers of Star Search wanted to merge two cultures that are completely opposite using two languages simultaneously.
“I learn something new every day,” said Mieken Vanderwarden, Star Search producer and sign language facilitator. “The majority are very warm individuals who are willing to trust and let me in.”
The highlight of the performance came at the close of the show as sign language interpreters Doretta Fowler and Vanderwarden delivered a spectacular performance of Pink’s “Raise Your Glass” as the whole cast and crew joined the stage in a memorable ending.
“I’m able to learn about this amazing culture that I can never understand as a hearing person,” Fowler said.
This event was a major step forward as far as bringing together two worlds that seem so far apart by any stretch of the imagination. Positivity and acceptance were the two key words that rang out during the event.
“It’s always really fun,” performer Anna Trupiano said. “We get to do sign language, we get to dance, and it’s great for everybody because we get to connect the deaf community and the hearing community and show a little bit what our program is about.”
Category: Featured
