Deaf director and cast part of “Peter and the Starcatcher” play

Alex (Daily Moth): Can you introduce yourselves and your roles in the play, “Peter and the Starcatcher?”

Josh Castille: My name is Josh Castille. This is my name sign. I’m the director for this project.

Caden Marshall: Hi. I’m Caden Marshall. This is my sign name. I’m the assistant director.

Alex: Can you tell us more about the play? I know that the performances will start this weekend.

Credit: Facebook/JanesvillePAC

[Several short video clips of the play. It shows actors on a stage performing on bed bunks that are moving. The characters wear modern clothing. The dates are October 19-22 and tickets are at www.janesvillepac.org]

Castille: You know the famous cartoon character Peter Pan, the green-clothed boy who never wants to grow up and he has an enemy named Captain Hook and a woman named Wendy? This story about Peter happens before – so Peter’s name is “boy.” He has no parents and is a young 13-year-old. He was put on a boat. So I thought of the idea of the “boy” finding his identity as being the same as a deaf person going into a deaf school or going to Gallaudet, they would find their identity. They will get that culture and understand.

Alex: I know that there are 12 people in the cast, with 6 deaf and hard of hearing and the other 6 hearing. Nice. It’s an equal mix. Can you explain more about the cast and how the dynamics work and how the audience can watch both, the accessibility?

Credit: Janesville PAC

[Images of rehearsals. It shows cast members practicing their lines in a classroom setting and on the stage]

Marshall: There is a lot of signing and as hearing people learn signs, they try to gesture with each other. The whole show will have captions in certain places and some will be projected. It will help people figure out what is happening.

Credit: Facebook/JanesvillePAC

[Several short video clips of actors in the play.]

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Alex: It’s exciting because it’s this weekend, October 19, 20, 21, and 22. Why should people come and see the play?

Castille: It’s silly and a fun show. From a deaf perspective, I think people will enjoy watching Peter Pan find his identity. To watch him learn SEE signs and have it transform into ASL. To watch him become more decisive about his own life. I think deaf audiences will see Deaf culture, some characters wear Gallaudet shirts, and some characters wear various shirts, so it’ll be cool to see our culture show up.

Marshall: The performance is happening in the city of Janesville. This is the sign.

Credit: Janesville PAC [Image of Janesville Performing Arts Center]

Marshall: There is a deaf school here and a deaf community here.

Alex: I hope everyone in Wisconsin will turn up! Thank you.

Castille and Marshall: Thank you.