About this video

• Video Title: Joshua Jackson & Lauren Ridloff (With Interpreter Candace Broecker-Penn) On “Children Of A Lesser Go
• Channel: BUILD Series
• Speakers: Joshua Jackson, Lauren Ridloff, Candace Broecker-Penn, Laura Haywood (host)
• Duration: 00:31:18

Overview

This video features an interview with actors Joshua Jackson and Lauren Ridloff about their roles in the Broadway production of "Children of a Lesser God." They discuss the challenges and rewards of performing in the play, the nuances of American Sign Language (ASL) versus signed English, and the play's themes of communication, connection, and understanding. The conversation also touches on Ridloff's personal journey and Jackson's experience learning ASL.

Key takeaways

• Language Nuances: The conversation clarifies the difference between American Sign Language (ASL) and signed English, with ASL having its own grammar and syntax, while signed English is a more literal translation of spoken English.
• Performance Challenges: Both actors discuss the unique difficulties of performing in a play that involves sign language, including the complexity of "simcom" (signing and speaking simultaneously) and the potential for forgetting signs during a performance.
• Personal Journeys: Lauren Ridloff shares her experience growing up in a mainstream program, her transition to a residential school for the deaf, and how her background influenced her connection to the character of Sarah Norman. Joshua Jackson reflects on his extensive acting career and the profound impact of learning ASL and being part of this production.
• Thematic Depth: The play is highlighted as being more than just a story about a deaf woman and a hearing man; it's a universal exploration of human connection, the struggle to truly listen and understand each other, and the dangers of imposing one's own assumptions on others.
• Accessibility and Representation: The production is praised for its commitment to accessibility, with features like supertitles and ASL interpreters. The casting of Lauren Ridloff, a deaf woman of color, in the lead role is seen as a significant and positive step for representation.

The key points from the video include:

• ASL vs. Signed English: The distinction between American Sign Language (ASL) and signed English is explained. ASL is a distinct language with its own grammar and syntax, while signed English is a more direct translation of spoken English. Joshua Jackson notes he learned signed English, which is different from ASL.
• Acting Challenges: Both Joshua Jackson and Lauren Ridloff discuss the difficulties of performing in the play, especially when "simcom" (signing and speaking simultaneously) is involved, as the two sides of the brain can be "at war." Forgetting a sign during a performance is also addressed as a challenge.
• Personal Connections to the Play: Lauren Ridloff shares how her upbringing in a mainstream program and later attending a residential school for the deaf provided her with personal connections to the character of Sarah Norman and the play's themes. Joshua Jackson, while having seen the movie previously, found his true introduction to the story through this production.
• Thematic Significance: The play is discussed as a story about the struggle for human connection and understanding, going beyond just the deaf and hearing dynamic. It highlights the human tendency to impose assumptions and the importance of truly listening.
• Representation and Accessibility: The production is recognized for its accessibility efforts, including supertitles and ASL interpreters. Lauren Ridloff's casting as a deaf woman of color in a lead role is celebrated as a significant advancement in representation.

Based on the video, I learned the following:

• ASL vs. Signed English: There's a clear distinction between American Sign Language (ASL), which has its own unique grammar and syntax, and signed English, which is more of a direct translation of spoken English. Joshua Jackson learned signed English, not ASL.
• Performance Difficulties: The actors, particularly Lauren Ridloff, explained the complexity of "simcom" (signing and speaking at the same time), where the brain has to manage two different linguistic systems simultaneously, making it challenging to maintain flow and accuracy.
• Personal Resonance: Lauren Ridloff's own experiences growing up in a hearing-centric environment and later finding her identity at a deaf residential school strongly connect her to her character, Sarah Norman. This personal connection is a significant aspect of her performance.
• Universal Themes: The play, "Children of a Lesser God," explores the deeper human condition of connection and the difficulty of true understanding between individuals, beyond the specific context of deafness and hearing. It touches on the tendency to try and "fix" or mold others into one's own image, which often leads to failure.
• Advancements in Accessibility and Representation: The production is noted for its comprehensive approach to accessibility and its groundbreaking casting of Lauren Ridloff, a deaf woman of color, in a leading Broadway role. This is seen as a vital step for the deaf community in terms of accurate and respectful representation.

From the video, I learned about the significant differences between American Sign Language (ASL) and signed English, with ASL being a distinct language. I also understood the challenges actors face when performing with sign language, such as the difficulty of "simcom" (signing and speaking simultaneously).

The video highlighted how personal experiences, like Lauren Ridloff's journey through different educational environments, deeply inform her portrayal of the character Sarah Norman. Furthermore, the play's core message is about the universal human struggle for connection and understanding, emphasizing the importance of listening and the pitfalls of imposing one's own perspectives on others.

Finally, I learned about the production's commitment to accessibility and its importance for accurate representation within the deaf community, particularly with Lauren Ridloff's casting.

The video from BUILD Series features a conversation with Joshua Jackson and Lauren Ridloff about their Broadway production of "Children of a Lesser God," during which they discussed the nuances between American Sign Language (ASL) and signed English, the unique performance challenges like "simcom," and how Ridloff's personal experiences growing up within both hearing and deaf communities deeply informed her portrayal of Sarah Norman. They emphasized that the play's themes extend beyond deafness to the universal human struggle for genuine connection and understanding, highlighting the importance of listening and the pitfalls of imposing one's own assumptions on others. The production is further noted for its commitment to accessibility and significant representation through Ridloff's casting as a deaf woman of color in a leading role.