Arlene’s acclaimed autobiographical solo plays have played to sold out houses and standing ovations throughout the country. These stories are about the hilarious, heartbreaking, heartwarming, totally true tale of a hearing prodigal daughter growing up in a Deaf family & culture. It is the tale of a girl/woman surviving and interpreting sound for her parents while interpreting the world for herself. They’re the tales of being a cultural tourist, bridging a world of two languages & two cultures and the universal search for identity.

Funny, touching & poignant, these theatre pieces are told through both sign language & voice, using both Deaf & hearing storytelling/theatrical techniques which challenges audiences share a world beyond their experiences. These plays are written in the spirit of Social Biography- telling one’s story within the context of a cultural group. It focuses on the little explored arena of disability- in particular Deafness from the CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) perspective. As Children of Deaf Adults- CODAS stand with one foot in the hearing world and the other in the Deaf world. These shows explore the cultural aspects of Deafness- a community of people defined not by their disability but by their shared language, culture, values and norms. A community, which believes, “We aren’t broke- so don’t try to fix us”.

As an educator, writer and storyteller, I believe that we all have a story. Our stories connect us to who we are, where we come from and who we can become. Most importantly, our stories connect us with each other. These stories are about children and parents, Deaf and hearing, love and forgiveness, judgement and tolerance, and finding yourself amid the clash of cultures in this melting pot we call America. It’s a story for anyone who has ever felt different.

For a long time I have lived in 2 places suspended between Hearing & Deaf worlds- now I know that I occupy a 3rd world that connects the two. It is from this place of privilege that I tell these stories.

Interview about these Solo shows with Chicago Theater Beat

These theatrical pieces do not require a traditional theater space for presentation (but it is preferred when available). They are highly adaptable to other venues including shows a bare stage, in a room, or a meeting hall with a minimal set and props or with a full compliment of lighting and sound.

Interview with Quad Cities Times