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Dr. Steve Farmer, CEO of the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, said he is thrilled the school’s collaboration with Little Lake Theatre and the community increases awareness of deaf culture and American Sign Language in this region. Farmer said those who are hard of hearing or deaf can find success in the arts: one former WPSD student is currently filming on-set in Canada, and WPSD graduate Amber Zion has been acted in several films, shorts and TV shows.

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Melissa Hawkins, executive director of the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, said at Friday morning’s news conference the first-of-its-kind “Journey into Theater with Hands and Voices” initiative gives those who are deaf or hearing impaired a “chance at a normal life,” which includes live theater experiences. Hawkins noted 1.5 million Pennsylvanians are deaf or hard of hearing, and one in three people will be affected by hearing loss during their lifetimes.

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Jena Oberg, center, artistic director for Little Lake Theatre, spoke at Friday morning’s news conference. Oberg, whose six-year-old daughter, Anusha Oberg, is deaf, said past initiatives have made the arts more accessible for the seeing impaired, but noted the community falls short on bringing the arts to the hearing impaired. “We cannot wait to see where this partnership will go,” said Oberg.

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Jena Oberg, artist director at Little Lake Theatre, speaks with partners following Friday morning’s announcement Little Lake Theatre, the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, and local businesses are partnering to make live theater accessible to the hearing impaired and deaf. “Captain Louie” will be performed this fall by both non-hearing and hearing impaired and deaf actors. Oberg said prior to this collaboration, those interested in live theater could only attend specific hearing impaired-friendly Pittsburgh productions.