New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

Sign the Show screens at the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival on Sunday, October 2


By Alexia Fraser

originally published: 10/01/2022



Sign the Show: Deaf Culture, Access, & Entertainment
, by Cat Brewer, is a delightfully informational documentary that brings to light the struggles that individuals in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HOH) community face when trying to gain access to interpreters at live shows. Whether it be concerts, festivals, plays, or comedy shows, this movie covers all the bases on how one should supply access to interpreters when scheduling large-scale events. Even though I may never know what it’s like to be deaf, this film has given me a better understanding of what it is like to live in their world.

The film starts off by talking about misconceptions around the deaf/HOH and music, some of which I had never thought twice about. Deaf people enjoy music for the lyrics and emotion, and live music brings another dimension into things. They are there for the vibration and the amazing experience of being immersed in a congregation who are feeling the same energy pulsing through them as you are. When given access to an interpreter, the HOH are better able to understand and appreciate the music that they are feeling. Without one, they are left high and dry, making the experience of a live show a negative one.

Through a decent portion of this film, I had to rely on subtitles to understand what was being communicated because I do not read American Sign Language. Similar to how deaf people depend on reading lips, interpreters, and subtitles to accurately understand what is happening, I relied on subtitles to accurately translate what they were communicating. I felt this was an ingenious way of making the hearing people watching realize how much they depend on hearing to understand and communicate with people. The content of this film is touching and they make it easy for viewers to connect and relate. They give various different perspectives on providing interpretation by talking to musicians, actors, comedians, interpreters (both deaf and hearing), and those in the deaf and HOH community. I know this might be an unpopular opinion, but I love watching everything with subtitles. Whether it be a TV show, youtube video, or film, I will always turn on subtitles before I watch something. I feel they always help me better comprehend the material. I deeply appreciate the fact that this film provides subtitles as a part of the movie so everyone can enjoy it.

Production value could have been elevated if each section was given equal amounts of time and the transitions into each section could have been smoother. The first segment they cover is “Music”, which takes up most of the film. I enjoyed hearing the musicians talk about how they feel about accessibility and interpreters at their own shows. The “Theatre” section is a bit short and only lasted around 6 minutes. I thoroughly enjoyed watching every second of the theatre section and wished that there was more to see! The “Comedy” section was a good length and I appreciated the anecdotes shared by the comedians.

Overall, this is an entertaining and educational movie that is perfect for all ages. I have not stopped thinking about this film ever since I have seen it, and every time I walk into a concert venue I look around and think to myself, “Where are the interpreters?”  Sign the Show made me realize how privileged I am to live in a world that is tailor suited to my abilities, and it has also helped me realize how I can help my friends who have different abilities. But more importantly, it tells us how beautiful it is that we as humans can appreciate each other’s art, no matter how we experience the world.




Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here



 Sign the Show: Deaf Culture, Access, & Entertainment screens at the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival on Sunday, October 2.  It will play Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 7PM in Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Director Cat Brewer will be present at the In-Person screening to do a Q+A after the showing.

To buy tickets go here: 


https://watch.eventive.org/newjerseyfilmfestivalfall2022/play/62b9b842b55993002911294b

For General Info on the Film Festival go here: 

https://watch.eventive.org/newjerseyfilmfestivalfall2022

 

 




Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here


EVENT PREVIEWS

"Singin'

"Singin' in the Rain" to Kick Off 2025 UCPAC Film Fest

(RAHWAY, NJ) -- The Union County Performing Arts Center Film Fest opens with a screening of Singin' In The Rain on Friday, May 16, 2025. Join them for the Opening Ceremony and the feature presentation, a digital screening of a classic film that celebrates the art of motion pictures! Doors are at 6:00pm, showtime is 7:00pm.



The

The ShowRoom presents a screening of "Garland Jeffreys: The King of in Between"

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The ShowRoom presents a screening of Garland Jeffreys: The King of in Between on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 7:30pm. It's a soul-stirring ride through music, race, rebellion, and resilience. Join director Claire Jeffreys for a post-screening Q&A, moderated by singer songwriter James Maddock.



Jason

Jason Alexander Announced as Keynote Speaker for 2025 Lighthouse International Film Festival

(LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ) -- Lighthouse International Film Festival (LIFF) announced Jason Alexander as the keynote speaker for the festival's 17th year running from June 4-8, 2025 on Long Beach Island. The festival will screen a special 25th anniversary screening of Jason Alexander's film Just Looking with a Q&A to follow on Friday, June 6th and will have an intimate conversation with the actor discussing filmmaking and his storied career on Saturday, June 7th.



2025

2025 New Jersey International Film Festival to Take Place May 30th through June 8th

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center, in association with the Rutgers University Program in Cinema Studies, is proud to present the 2025 New Jersey International Film Festival which marks its 30th Anniversary. The NJIFF competition will be taking place on the Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between May 30 - June 8, 2025 and will be a hybrid one as they will be presenting it online as well as doing in-person screenings at Rutgers University.



New

New Jersey Symphony will present "How to Train Your Dragon" in Concert this summer

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Symphony presents How to Train Your Dragon in Concert this summer with Lawrence Loh conducting. A winner with audiences and critics alike, the film by DreamWorks is a captivating and original story that combines humor, fire-breathing action, and epic adventure!



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Singin’

Singin’ in the Rain – UCPAC Film Fest Feature Digital Presentation & Opening Ceremony

Friday, May 16, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: film


 

UCPAC

UCPAC Film Fest 2025

Friday, May 16, 2025 @ 11:00am
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: film


 

UCPAC

UCPAC Film Fest 2025

Saturday, May 17, 2025 @ 11:00am
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: film


 

UCPAC

UCPAC Film Fest 2025

Sunday, May 18, 2025 @ 11:00am
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: film


 

Lyle,

Lyle, Lyle Crocodile – Popcorn & Pajamas Film Series At UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage

Friday, May 23, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
360 Hamilton Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: film