SPIT News - Issue 21, June 2000
CONGRATULATIONSTo Sara Cross (SPIT Executive member), who recently passed Stage 3 NVQ3 BSL, and is one of only three in the country to do so! To Paul Reeve and family(SPIT Executive member), on the birth of their second child. WE GOT MAIL!As you know, at the end of February, SPIT launched its web-site www.spit.org.uk which lists forth-coming sign language interpreted performances, and details about future SPIT events -and gossip! We can now post your thoughts & questions on the site, please use the contact page on this site. |
SUMMER SCHOOL 2000Cambridge Arts Theatre and the Cambridgeshire Deaf Association are running a third Summer School for Deaf and hearing youngsters aged 11-18 this August. The two-week project is led by Deaf director, Ilan Dwek, and hearing director Kate Vaughan, who will both work with actor/interpreter Jim Dunne. Jim will also sign the final performance where necessary. The project is supported by BSL interpreters and communication support assistants. This is a tremendous opportunity for young Deaf people, who will experience working in a fully professional theatre with the support of Deaf staff and interpreters, to really make a difference to peoples' perceptions of accessible theatre. When? 14-25 August (with a free weekend!) How does it work? Each day runs from 10am-5pm, finishing with a performance on the last day. How much? £75, including food and accommodation. If you're still not sure if it's for you, Cambridge Arts Theatre is offering a FREE outreach drama workshop with a professional Deaf actor to schools and groups anywhere in the country. All you pay is the actors' travelling expenses. If you are interested, please contact: Or Sue Perritt
(Participants from the 1999 Summer School. |
SPIT CONFERENCE 2000We are pleased to announce that a venue has been found for the conference, which will take place on Saturday 7 October 2000, at the Metro Cinema in Derby. You may have read about the Metro, which is committed to its Deaf audience and shows regular screenings of signed films, such as the multi award-winning American Beauty. The Metro has promised to show a signed film after the conference on Saturday 7th October - the title will be announced nearer the time. Transport links to Derby are exceptionally good, and so we are expecting a high and lively attendance from both hearing and Deaf people. Further details will be confirmed in the next SPIT newsletter, and booking forms will be sent out in August, but if you have any queries in the meantime, please contact Sarah Sills on 0161 773 1715. WHY JOIN SPIT?If you are an arts organisation which offers, or plans to offer SLIPs, join SPIT and take advantage of the services that can help and support you: Welcome pack with a step-by-step introduction to setting up and running SLIPs effectively;
Membership fees are based on each organisations annual turnover, and a reduced membership rate is also available for organisations outside the M25. |
SIGN UP! SIGN UP!BSL for SPIT Members in the Autumn!This unique British Sign Language course is specially designed for theatre workers. It aims to equip theatre staff with basic BSL skills in order to communicate better with Deaf theatre patrons, increasing confidence, and raising awareness for the needs of Deaf patrons. "By the final week, we all had a basic knowledge of sign and felt more at ease communicating with our Deaf audience."
Where? Tricycle Theatre, London NW6 When? Every Tuesday from 12 September - 21 November (excluding Half term 24 October) What time?1.30pm - 3.30pm Who for? Any of our Member organisations. It is especially helpful to people who work of front of house, and of course for anybody who wants to communicate with people who are Deaf. A maximum of 2 people from each organisation can apply. Trainer? David Hirshman (on behalf of SPIT) How much? £40 per person How do I book? Contact Sarah Sills on 0161 773 1715 Demand for this course is high, and so please book early. If you are a member organisation who cannot travel to London, please don't think we've forgotten about you - we haven't! We run courses in areas of demand, and so let us know that you're interested so that we can start planning a course at a venue near you. |