Put Your Hands Together

Plano signs on to debut of Dallas-Fort Worth's first Deaf theater company

A rehearsal photo from Deaf Theatre Showcase: A Union of Hands and Voices.

Photo courtesy of NTPA Deaf Theatre

Following a 2022 summer pilot program of youth theater camps, North Texas Performing Arts is now opening its first full-length production by the new NTPA Deaf Theatre, June 30-July 2, 2023.

Titled Deaf Theatre Showcase: A Union of Hands and Voices, the inaugural show premieres at NTPA's Starcatchers Theatre in the Willow Bend Center for the Arts.

“Bringing live theater to the Deaf community in North Texas has long been a dream of many members of our board,” says Lisa McLerory, chairperson of the NTPA Deaf Theatre board. “Every member of our board is part of the Deaf community, either by being Deaf themselves or by being a parent of a Deaf child. We are passionate about the inclusivity of the Deaf community in the arts, and are thrilled to take this first step in making the arts more accessible in DFW.”

By extending its “Accessible Theater” initiative to the Deaf theater community, NTPA builds upon its vision that every child should have the opportunity to take the stage, promoting equal access to theater and the performing arts to Deaf and hard of hearing youth and adults, while encouraging diversity, equity, education, and social inclusiveness.

The inaugural production combines a cast of 33 Deaf and hearing actors ages 8 to adult in a revue inspired by popular Broadway hits.

The showcase highlights the diverse culture of the Deaf, styles of Deaf theater, and passion for this inclusive art form. Actors will share their life experiences following scenes using a variety of Deaf theater styles.

“We are committed to providing the opportunity for those in Deaf community to take the stage,” says NTPA chief executive officer Darrell Rodenbaugh. “We believe NTPA’s support combined with the program leadership, independence, and the unique perspective of this powerful NTPA Deaf Theatre board of directors will make this one of the leading Deaf theater programs in the country.”

NTPA Deaf Theatre is also offering a youth camp this summer that's tied into Showcase, which will be directed by NTPA Deaf Theatre program director Damond Sands.

The camp is a partnership among NTPA Deaf Theatre, Broadway Dallas, and the UTD Callier Center for Communications Disorders. Open to youth in grades 1-12 who are Deaf and their siblings, campers will participate in musical-themed activities centered around one of the core musical scenes featured in the mainstage production, Annie.

Activities include stage tours, set design, assistive technology trials, and costume/lighting/stage sound overviews.

The camp meets June 26-30 and includes free tickets for all campers to attend Deaf Theatre Showcase. Limited spots are available in the camp, and scholarships are available.

Tickets for Deaf Theatre Showcase: A Union of Hands and Voices are $12 in advance and $14 starting June 26.

Original script and direction are by Karen Snapp, music arrangements and orchestration by Rachel and John Morrow, assistant direction by Skye Harp, ASL coaching by Daymond Sands and Mack McGough, and vocal coaching by Wes Davis.

Upcoming NTPA Deaf Theatre programs include a holiday show (title to be announced soon), youth camps, and ASL interpreted performances of shows throughout the year.

For more information, tickets, and camp signups, go to ntpa.org/deaf.

Deaf Theatre health theater

Downtown Dallas news

Dallas Arts District picks Dallas College leader as executive director

Photo by Jaren Collins

Ahava Silkey-Jones

The Dallas Arts District has found its next leader: Ahava Silkey-Jones has been named executive director of the nonprofit that supports and promotes the downtown Dallas cultural district. She succeeds longtime executive director Lily Weiss, who retired earlier this year after more than a decade in the role.

Silkey-Jones joins the Dallas Arts District from Dallas College, where she served as vice provost of the School of Creative Arts, Entertainment and Design, a release notes. During her tenure, she led academic strategy, programming, and industry partnerships across seven campuses.

She brings more than 15 years of experience in higher education, nonprofit leadership, arts administration, and civic engagement.

"The Dallas Arts District is one of America's great cultural neighborhoods — a place where creativity inspires community, strengthens the economy and enriches everyday life," Silkey-Jones says in the release. "We have an incredible opportunity to elevate the District's national and global profile while creating an even more welcoming, connected and vibrant place for everyone who lives, works and visits here."

The leadership change comes after a busy year for the 118-acre district, which encompasses 19 cultural institutions and is billed as the nation's largest contiguous urban arts district. The district recently adopted a strategic plan centered on advocacy, placemaking, public safety, infrastructure, programming, and long-term growth, they say.

The area also took on a higher profile during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosting the RedBall Dallas public art installation and four major festivals that brought hundreds of thousands of local and international visitors downtown, they say.

Board chair Warren Tranquada, who is also president and CEO of the AT&T Performing Arts Center, says Silkey-Jones has built a career around creating partnerships among the arts, education, and community organizations.

"This organization's role in shaping downtown's quality of life, economic vitality and global identity has never been more important," Tranquada says. "Ahava has spent her career bringing people together across sectors to create lasting community impact."

Silkey-Jones has received several recent honors, including the 2025 Obelisk Award from the Business Council for the Arts and recognition as one of Women We Admire's Top Women Leaders. She holds degrees from Harvard University, Roosevelt University, and DePaul University and serves on several local and national arts and education boards.

Former board chair Jill Magnuson, who stepped in as interim executive director following Weiss' retirement, will return to serving as a volunteer leader.

“Jill's leadership during this transition was invaluable,” Tranquada says. “She provided stability while also helping establish a clear vision for the future. Her work has left the organization stronger, and we are grateful she will continue supporting the Dallas Arts District as a volunteer leader.”

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