Deaf people and Musical Shows

[Turning_Turning]

Now, when I say deaf I don't mean just profoundly (90% or more hearing loss in both ears, I think it is), but also those who simply need a hearing aid to hear, and they're fine. I also refer to born deaf not after birth deaf. Also, by musical, I don't mean a straight play-think Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, etc.
Now imagine a fictional scenario: a person-let's call them Alex, as it's adrongynous-wants to audition for a musical-even if it's just to be in the chorus. They wear a hearing aid but can hear just fine with it. They've practiced a lot for the show, and of course are inevitably turned away by the Director on the boundaries that they having a hearing impairment.

1. Do you think that people with a hearing impairment from birth should be able to have just as much of a part in a musical as other hearing people?

2. Do you agree/disagree with the statement that 'deaf people will always have bad singing? Why do you agree/disagree?

3. What about people who only know sign language (be it NZ sign, American sign or Brit sign)?

4. Do you think directors should always turn away people with a hearing disability? Why/why not?

5. Do you have anything else to say on the matter?

Just before I let you all post, I just want to add a note or two: this is not an attempt at prejudice against people with a hearing impairment, and I will calmly report any abusive posts that contain any imagined sightings of prejudice in my original post. Also, a second note, the reason why it's hearing rather than, for example, blind, is that hearing is essential to, well, hearing and enjoying music, as well as singing along to the lyrics.

Also-Mods: feel free to change the title if you wish if but to make it more clear what the post contains, as this was all I could come up with.

Cheerio, here I go, on my way! (The first person to get what song that refers to gets a Sim)

[annachibi]

Everyone should be judged based on performance and ability. Whether they have a hearing aid or not should not matter.

[Mumo_SC]

I agree with what annachibi posted. Equality should be for everyone, not just those without any psychical problems.

[Haylifer]

Whee I can offer my experience of Musical Companies, auditions etc. :D


1. Do you think that people with a hearing impairment from birth should be able to have just as much of a part in a musical as other hearing people?
Of course. They should be allowed to audition and considered as though they weren't deaf. If they have a nice singing voice and can act, I'm sure they'd do a damn job better than some people I've heard.

2. Do you agree/disagree with the statement that 'deaf people will always have bad singing? Why do you agree/disagree?
Heh, well if Beethoven can be one of the most renowned people in music EVER, I'm sure there are deaf people who can sing. People who lose one of their senses learn to compensate in other ways; in Beethovens case, this was by sensing the vibrations of the keys on the piano. Deaf people could refine their singing technique with practise and nothing is impossible.

3. What about people who only know sign language (be it NZ sign, American sign or Brit sign)?
It's a hard one. They'd look a bit ridiculous stood there signing while everyone else was singing along, BUT on the other hand why not have them signing at the side for the benefit of deaf audience members - who would then be able to watch the spectacle of the musical (it's not all about the music), and follow the story too.

4. Do you think directors should always turn away people with a hearing disability? Why/why not?
Certainly not. If they did, they coulda just turned away Beethoven. Or Ayumi Hamasaki, the J-pop singer.

5. Do you have anything else to say on the matter?
Yeah.. in the chorus of Musicals, there are loads of tone-deaf people. You usually can't hear them because the lead roles and orchestra support them, and it all generally blends in. Besides, there's a difference between the chorus in a musical and a church choir. It's not about being note-perfect, but the sound of so many voices singing together.

[sesshomarusgirlplayer]

i support the deaf community so what i think they did was wrong if he can hear perfectly or somewhat then there is nothing wrong. it seems racism(sp) very racism to me

and i agree with Haylifer. Deaf people have their own concerts. just because they cant hear doesnt mean they cant feel the vibrations of the music and know the flow of the music and they use ASL( American Sign Language) to tell their songs or sing them..... well thats how you would tell/sign anyways

[crocobaura]

Personally, I don't think people with a severe hearing impairment, and especially those that were born that way, could actually perform satisfactorily in a musical, simply because they cannot speak properly. It takes years and years of hard work in front of a mirror and with help from a speech therapist just to learn how to pronounce sounds properly for everyday purposes. Otherwise, if they can hear properly with the help of a hearing aid and you don't have to shout to get your message accross, then I really see no reason why they wouldn't be allowed to perform.