The GLAD News, Fall 2003

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow

The Stepping Stone Players American Sign Language (ASL) Team is creative, animated and hart NOT to watch!  "Annie's" American Sign Language Interpreting Cast Attracts Both Deaf and Hearing Audiences.

Glendale's Community Theatre Group, The Stepping Stone Players, present the Broadway Musical, "Annie" with two American Sign Language interpreted performances.  Now in their fourth season, the Troupe has attracted audiences, both deaf and hearing to their "near Broadway quality" performances of popular Broadway shows.  The Stepping Stone Players is a non-profit, Glendale-based community theatre group whose vision is to create a sense of community through theatre by encouraging the participation of people of all ages and backgrounds.  The group provides a truly unique opportunity for children and adults to explore, learn, perform and mentor in every facet of live theatre.  The overwhelmingly positive response to past productions of "The Wizard of Oz," "Peter Pan," and "Bye Bye Birdie" proves that The Stepping Stone Players have satisfied the hunger for creative theatrical production in the community.

"The Stepping Stone Players truly are stars in Community Theatre!" exclaimed parent Melinda Johnson-Pasqua when asked how she felt about the Troupe.  "Because of The Stepping Stone Players' community and great theater, my deaf kids have had the opportunity to enjoy "Peter Pan" and "Bye Bye Birdie," and this September will see "Annie."  Now only are these performances interpreted, they are interpreted with skill, emotion and feeling thanks to Cass Harvey and Tadd Cohen.  Thanks to The Stepping Stone Players for bringing accessible theater to our community."

Lisa Hermatz Chahayd, ASL Master and instructor at Pierce College adds, "The Stepping Stone Players is an excellent addition to other deaf theatres in the area.  Cass Harvey and Tadd Cohen are exceptional in their ability to bring theatrical productions to life through the beauty of ASL, giving a unique satisfaction to deaf theatregoers!  But none of this would be possible without the admirable Lee Briggs and her fellow board members' magnetic personalities, which inspire the community to live as one.  Way to go, Stepping Stone Players!"

The Stepping Stone Players welcome back ASL veterans Cass Harvey, Tadd Cohen and their support team of Cal State Northridge and Pierce College Deaf Studies Programs interning students.

Cass Harvey returns for a third year with the Stepping Stone Players and is thrilled to be working with the group again after a successful run with "Peter Pan" in 2001 and "Bye Bye Birdie" in 2002.  Cass is a Certified American Sign Language Interpreter (RID, CI & CT) and a Mentor at California State University, interprets theatrical productions.  Cass also made her theatrical debut as Terrylene's voice in, "In the Now," at the Santa Monica Playhouse.

Tadd Cohen is a veteran of the ASL stage.  Last year Tadd worked with the Stepping Stone Players and is thrilled to be reunited with both the theater group and Cass Harvey.  The Stepping Stone Players welcome him back with open arms.  Tadd has been involved with various aspects of theater since 1986 including lighting, props, acting and directing.  He taught drama for deaf and hard ofhearing students at North Valley School in Santa Rosa, CA.  Among Tadd's proudest theatrical interpreting works are, The Summer Repertory Theatre's (SRT) productions of "The Wizard of Oz," "Romeo and Juliet," "A Chorus Line," and "Victor Victoria" in Santa Rosa during the 1999-2000 season.

Each year The Stepping Stone Players provides a mentoring program for students achieving greatness in the field of ASL Interpretation.  This year the Stepping Stone Players are proud to welcome ASL interns ALyson Boote from CSUN Deaf Studies Program and Jonica Patella from the Pierce College Deaf Studies Program.

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