About the book and its authors
Drawing on decades of interpreting Broadway and Off-Broadway in New York City, Lynnette Taylor, Stephanie Feyne, and Candace Broecker Penn offer the first comprehensive exploration of interpreting for the stage — from its earliest roots in "friendterping," where interpreters sat beside friends and family co-creating impromptu interpretations, to the rigorous, collaborative discipline it has become today.
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More than a how-to guide, this book reveals theatre interpreting as a genuinely collective art form, which includes Deaf people in all parts of the process as interpreters, Directors of Interpreters, and audience members.
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Written for practitioners, educators, students, and theatre professionals, Sign Language Interpreting for the Theatre is both an exploration of the practice and an invitation — to build diverse and collaborative teams whose interpretations reflect and embody the artistry of the production.Â
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The authors developed and taught the annual Theatre Development Fund “Interpreting for the Theatre Seminar” at Juilliard, as well as workshops for other organizations including Hands On, ART/NY, RID, and the LEAD conference. They have presented at EFSLI and at the inaugural Princeton ASL Literature Symposium, as well as authoring multiple articles.Â
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If you are interested in more information, send us an email at
connect@signtheatre.com
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Photo by Kirra Cheers
Lynnette Taylor
Lynnette is a pioneer in the field of theatre interpreting. A heritage signer and award-winning filmmaker, she brings a lifelong love of the arts to her work interpreting for theatre, film, and television.
Lynnette has interpreted hundreds of productions on and off Broadway, including Dear Evan Hansen, Violet, Cabaret, Mary Poppins, Sunday in the Park with George, and Into the Woods, as well as decades of Shakespeare in the Park with Hands On and The Public Theater.
Beyond the stage, Lynnette leads workshops and presentations on theatre interpreting, with a particular focus on teamed collaboration between interpreters, interpreter directors and the stage. She believes every venue should include all people in the telling and sharing of stories, and sees interpreting as a way to invite more people into our collective narrative.
Stephanie Feyne
Stephanie has interpreted over 200 shows on and off Broadway and for Shakespeare in the Park, as well as productions in other states. Favorite shows include Cabaret, Travesties, True West, Legally Blonde, Wishful Drinking, Man of La Mancha, and Swing!
In addition, her career includes interpreting for national and international conferences, in education, medical, legal, and the arts. Her work as a designated interpreter for Deaf docents in museums led to her research on the impact of interpreters' ASL-to-English choices, which has been cited in over 50 academic publications.
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She offers workshops on a variety of topics including interpreting for theatre, ASL to English, Re-Thinking Register, and Use of Space in educational settings.
Candace Broecker Penn
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Candace is a heritage signer and alumna of the National Theatre of the Deaf. She is a nationally recognized interpreter specializing in the arts, theatre, film, television, auditions, and rehearsals.
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A seasoned veteran of over 200 shows on and off-Broadway including Death of a Salesman, Wicked, Hadestown, Into the Woods, Cabaret, Evita, Les Miserables, Mary Poppins, and years interpreting The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park. A recent highlight was interpreting Sarah Snook's acclaimed solo performance of 26 characters in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Candace has appeared in Frederick Wiseman's Ex Libris, Alex Borstein's Corsets & Clown Suits, and Law & Order.
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A trailblazer in interpreted theatre, Candace co-founded Hands On. She coordinates and provides mentoring for interpreters at The New Victory Theatre. She believes that art has the power to change lives.
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What People Are Saying
“ The difference isn’t about words; it’s about presence, about making the story live in the eyes of deaf audiences and in doing so, creating community. Part manual, part love letter, part manifesto, this remarkable book pulls back the curtain on that alchemy and shows how interpretation can rise to its highest potential.”
—DJ Kurs, artistic director, Deaf West Theatre
“This landmark book offers a comprehensive historical look at cultural representation, storytelling, and inclusion for theatrical interpreting. An essential read for interpreters, theatre professionals, and anyone passionate about the bonding experience of accessible theatre.”Â
—Kevin Dyels, cofounder, First Chair Interpreted Productions
“I cannot think of a better trio to shed light on both the artistry and technique of interpreting for theatre. Their insights push the field forward, reminding us that interpreting for the stage is not only a matter of access, but a dynamic, collaborative art form that bridges communities, honors Deaf culture, and enriches the theatrical experience itself.”
—Camryn Manheim, actor