After high school, Austin McKenzie never thought he would act again.
The Arizona native would go on to study American Sign Language in hopes of becoming an interpreter at Columbia College Chicago for two years before leaving school to meld his two interests together.
It was only after learning about the Deaf West Theatre in Los Angeles during class that McKenzie considered auditioning for the company’s rendition of Spring Awakening, which happens to be his “favorite show of all time.”
McKenzie, who is hearing, already knew ASL prior to arriving in LA. Nonetheless, the transition was challenging at first but has since become worthwhile.
“I was terrified. But as the process went along, I started to really, really love it,” said McKenzie.
The Deaf West Theatre seeks to create a safe space for all of its patrons through the arts, especially its deaf and hard of hearing guests. DJ Kurs, who is deaf, is the artistic director of the Deaf West Theatre. Kurs worked with other theatre groups to choose Spring Awakening as its newest show for that very reason.
“The story is about communication, about separation between children and their parents. It’s the same as the separation between deaf and hearing people. I felt that was important to perform here,” said Kurs.
Although McKenzie knows the show aims to provide a voice to a marginalized group in society, he has learned much about himself in the process. He says performing Spring Awakening has solidified that theatre is what he should pursue.
“Now, I’m just ready. I’m ready to show people what I can do or show people, with confidence, what the deaf [community] can do,” said McKenzie. What he’s learned most about himself so far has been “how to be free” and “let go.” Most impressive is that McKenzie has even changed how he signs, going from “very closed in” to more expressive and sharper than ever.
McKenzie’s biggest hope, however, is for audiences; that when they leave Spring Awakening, they feel understood.
“I hope that the audience sits there and they feel connected to it on a bunch of different levels, whether they know ASL or not, and they feel like their story is in our story. [I hope] they feel understood and can go home feeling like they have one more person to be on their side,” said McKenzie.
Deaf West’s rendition of Spring Awakening runs until Sunday, November 9.
