Abstract of A. Tal lecture

THE DIFFERENCE AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

A. Tal

Nalaga'at, Israel

Making theater with deaf-blind people is challenging as theater is the

art of communication and communication is the biggest problem of a

deaf-blind person. The first goal was then of course to form a theater

group from eleven deaf-blind individuals and as a group find a way to

communicate with the audience. It seemed almost impossible. "Not by

Bread Alone" performed by the world's only deaf-blind theater

Ensemble proofed the impossible possible, a working routine of at

least three shows a week was created over the last years. The Lives

of the deaf-blind actors changed, believing that all human beings are

equal yet different, and that all have the right to take upon themselves

the obligation to contribute to society, each one in his own way and

ability through aspiration to professionalism and excellence. As for the

audience this experience is not less revolutionary, for most of them

this is the first encounter with deaf-blind people, not focusing on their

disabilities but on their abilities. Living in a society where being

"perfect" is almost a must the show gives the audience members an

opportunity to connect and accept the difference existing in each and

every one of us, realizing that "nobody is perfect" and all of us can and

deserve to change not only our personal reality ,but the reality we live

in.