What is in store for you in the future?

I would like to put all of my workshops onto DVDs. I also hope to have the opportunity to be in entertainment, such as films, commercials, and/or television. I cannot predict what will happen to me in the future, but with support from friends, fans, communities, and families, I have been encouraged to follow my dream. One day, my dream will come true. I would love the adventure of performing in front of cameras.
I would love to continue with my studies pertaining to linguistics, specializing in ASL storytelling. I have enjoyed attending workshops and classes all over the country. I also would love to develop a further understanding of storytelling textures. I hope to continue educating and entertaining people.

What do you do during your free time while you are here presenting your workshops/shows?

REST:  Resting up is my highest priority so as to be prepared for my upcoming workshops and shows. I enjoy a little TV or a movie. If there's a spa available, I'm there!

HOT COCOA: Hot cocoa with milk is heaven.

PHOTOGRAPHY: I'll wander beaches, flower gardens, or any quiet places where I can snap pix and meditate.

ORGANIC, HEALTHY FOODS: A taste of local fare is fun.

WORK: Sorting through email is a must.

PERSONAL NETWORKING: An invitation for a cup of hot cocoa, a spa visit, a walk through a flower garden or down a lonely beach is an honor to accept. I am not fond of tourist spots with crowds of people. Traveling for 14 years, I've seen enough of cities. I crave small-town shops and quiet beaches.

How do you stay so thin?

(Laughing) There is no trick. I do not overeat and I only have one vice: hot chocolate with vanilla. The airports are my exercise – the long walking, lifting suitcases, and standing in long lines. I love to eat, but flights usually do not have food served. There is not much to eat during a long flight. I drink plenty of water. Some hotels don’t offer food service. There is no transportation for me to pick up food. The performances also require a huge amount of energy which burns calories.

"Continuously" work with Deaf Organizations?

When I was young, I thought there were only a few deaf people in this world. I was wrong! Enrolling at the National Technical of Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, NY, I realized there were plenty of deaf people and I got a chance to meet a lot of them. Since then, I have wanted to meet more deaf people. I have always looked forward to meeting new deaf people.

I always feel “honored” to be invited by interpreters at different Interpreter Conferences to help them, the interpreters, improve their training skills. I also have been doing a lot of storytelling for years. I credit the interpreters for letting me explore the “storyteller” in me.

I am extremely lucky to have so many friends who have shown their unwavering support. They gave me the confidence to go out and perform in the hearing world. Most of all, being accepted as a Deaf storyteller by the Deaf community means a lot to me. It is the “seal of approval” from my own peers. I am going to be there for the “deaf community or deaf organization” that asks for my “services” as a performer. I am who I am now because of the “deaf community”.

(Photo: ASL/Interpreter Teacher's Dog in New Mexico: Red Tail and Me)

I am a workaholic and I love the challenges that I meet along the way. It is through the challenges and obstacles that I “strive” to do better at the same challenges and obstacles that kept me feeling alive and kept me going. Besides, I think I have the best job in the world, doing what I love to do and meeting a lot of people (and their pets). 

Drama, Drama, Drama!!! How did I happen to become an entertainer?

Yes, I do remember that I was in a Thanksgiving Pilgrim show in elementary school. I enjoyed wearing the costume – it felt fun to be someone else! That led me to understand what a “play” is. I played the role of Helen Keller during my freshman year of high school; I fell in love with drama. If you are wondering how many years I have been in drama, do your math! Four years in high school and seven years in college. Have you ever wondered if I will stop performing? I have been in shows for over 25 years. It sounds like half of my life has seen me involved in drama. I have enjoyed constantly telling stories! (Photo: College ~ National Technical Insitute of the Deaf (NTID), Rochester, New York ~ MacBeth/Lady MacBeth, 1986-87)

Is this business a full time job?

Yes, giving presentations around America is my full-time job. As a professional presenter and entertainer with over 25 years of experience, I love interacting with my workshop participants and audiences. I handle bookings from my home office. I pay behind–the scenes crew members, business consultants, mentors, and my editor as private contractors.

This is not a perfect job. Certainly, I face challenges, such as flight delays, last-minute schedule changes, economic ups and downs, negotiation stagnation points, and other issues. Sometimes I don’t get paid in a timely manner; I may even have to wait for months at a time before clients come through with payment.

This kind of work requires extensive hours spent in preparing for events, traveling to and from shows – usually 8 to 10 hours a day, in order to set up equipment before the presentations. Some hosts haven’t visualized the idea of how much time it requires from when I “clock in” to leave to go work and return to my desk. However, the total number of hours I am away on a job should be considered as part of my paid work.

My show includes multi-media animation, slides, video, and sound effects combined with ASL, stories, poetry, comedy, and other features, incorporating all of these elements using a laptop, LCD projector, and sound system. As part of my business, I provide the equipment needed to put on a high-tech, professional show that captivates all comers from Deaf to Hearing.

I love training interpreters and sharing updated resources. I’ve designed several specialized presentations for interpreters who wish to expand their skills in visual education, the art of sign language, and storytelling.

I also enjoy presenting shows related to Deaf Culture, ASL Improv, and stand-up comedy through stories told to communities. I enhance my stories with drama skills that I’ve developed over the years. Could there be any better way to make a living?

Q: Have your kids ever interpreted for you?

YES! During local performances, once in a while, we’ve found that at the last minute, our voice interpreter couldn’t make it. So, at that point, my kids filled in.

Bart is full of confidence, but he doesn’t always remember what he’s supposed to say. Sammie backs him up, whispering in his ear. Sammie feels too shy to use the mike, but she is a fountain of creativity when it comes to Improv! Bart is very expressive, making an eyebrow say the whole story - short and sweet. Sammie uses a lot of classifiers and likes to tell more elaborate stories.

It’s funny to see Bart perch on the stool and speak right out. He’s very comfortable with the mike. Once, he told an interpreter, “That’s not what my mom said, she said…..” It was a stunning moment!

They love to work with me on stage. I wouldn’t be surprised if the kids took over the interpreting and got the audience eating out of the palms of their hands. They’re great ASL storytellers!