Deaf West Theatre

Sign language theater in Los Angeles, California, US
Deaf West Theatre is a non profit arts organization based in Los Angeles, California, US. It is most well known for its Tony Award nominated productions of Big River and Spring Awakening. Deaf West Theatre is led by artistic director DJ Kurs.

Established in 1991 by Founding Artistic Director, Ed Waterstreet, Deaf West Theatre engages artists and audiences in unparalleled theater experiences inspired by Deaf culture and the expressive power of sign language. Committed to innovation, collaboration, and training, Deaf West Theatre is the artistic bridge between the deaf and hearing worlds. Deaf West productions are traditionally performed in American Sign Language with voice translation occurring at the same time so it is accessible to both deaf and hearing audiences. Deaf West has also held workshops for deaf youth who come from underprivileged communities and supported young deaf individuals who have a career in the arts. Since 2012, Deaf West has been led by Artistic Director DJ Kurs. Deaf actors who have worked with Deaf West Theatre include Troy Kotsur, Phyllis Frelich, Daniel Durant, Marlee Matlin, and Alexandria Wailes.

Notable past productions include Our Town by Thornton Wilder in a co production with Pasadena Playhouse; Edward Albee's At Home at the Zoo in a co production with The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts; Spring Awakening, which transferred from Inner City Arts to The Wallis Annenberg and then to Broadway where it received three Tony Award nominations, including Best Revival; American Buffalo, which was labeled a Los Angeles Times Critic's Choice; Cyrano, a co production with the Fountain Theatre which received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Production; Big River which received two Tony Award nominations (including Best Revival), Pippin, produced at the Mark Taper Forum in a co production with Center Theatre Group; Oliver! which received the Ovation Award for Best Musical, and A Streetcar Named Desire which received the Ovation Award for Best Play.

+YearAwardProductionCategoryNomineeResult2021Ovation Awards The Solid Lifeof Sugar WaterBest Production of a Play (Intimate Theatre)Scenic Design (Intimate Theatre)Sean Fanning2016Tony Awards Spring AwakeningBest Revival of a MusicalBest Direction of a MusicalMichael ArdenBest Lighting Design of a MusicalBen Stanton2015Ovation Awards Best Production of a Musical (Intimate Theater)Best Production of a Musical (Large Theater)Acting Ensemble of a MusicalDirector of a MusicalMichael ArdenChoreographySpencer LiffLighting Design (Large Theater)Ben StantonLead Actor in a MusicalAustin P. McKenzieLead Actress in a MusicalSandra Mae FrankFeatured Actor in a MusicalAndy MientusFeatured Actress in a MusicalKrysta RodriguezMusic DirectionJared SteinLighting Design (Intimate Theater)Travis HagenbuchScenic Design (Large Theater)Dane LaffreySound Design (Intimate Theater)Phillip AllenVideo/Projection DesignLucy Mackinnon2012LA Drama Critics Circle AwardsCyranoBest PlayBest ActorTroy Kotsur2010LA Weekly Theater AwardsChildren of a Lesser GodLeading Female PerformanceShoshannah SternBest Ensemble2008BackStage West Garland AwardsSleeping Beauty WakesBest ProductionChoreographyJeff CalhounSound DesignEric Snodgrass2007Ovation AwardsBest World Premiere MusicalBest Musical DirectionBrendan Milburn2006Helen Hayes AwardsBig RiverOutstanding Musical DirectionNick DeGregorioOutstanding DirectorJeff Calhoun Outstanding Lead ActorChristopher B. CorriganMichael McElroyBill O'BrienOutstanding Resident Musical2005Ovation AwardsBest Production of a Musical (Intimate Theater)Director of a MusicalJeff CalhounChoreographyJeff CalhounMusical DirectionSteven LandauScenic Design (Intimate Theater)Ray KlausenLighting Design (Intimate Theater)Michael GilliamBest Touring ProductionIndependent Reviewersof New EnglandSpecial Citation for Landmark RevivalBest Sound Design, Large CompanyPeter FitzgeraldBest Set Design, Large CompanyRay KlausenBest Lighting Design, Large CompanyMichael GilliamBest Actor, Large CompanyDaniel JenkinsMichael McElroyDenver Post Ovation AwardsBest Touring ProductionBest ActorTyrone GiordanoDaniel JenkinsBest Supporting ActorDavid Aron DumaneKia GloverLA Drama Critics Circle AwardsBest ProductionSFBA Theatre Critics CircleBest Musical (Touring)2004Tony Awards Honor for ExcellenceBroadway cast of Big RiverBest Revival of a MusicalBest Featured Actor in a MusicalMichael McElroyDrama Desk AwardsOutstanding Revival of a MusicalOutstanding Actor in a MusicalMichael McElroyTyrone GiordanoOutstanding Director of a MusicalJeff CalhounDrama LeagueDistinguished Production of a Revival2002Ovation AwardsBest ProductionBest DirectorJeff CalhounBest ChoreographerJeff CalhounBest Musical DirectorSteven LandauBest Set DesignRay KlausenBest Lighting DesignMichael GilliamBest Lead ActorBill O'BrienJames BlackBest Featured ActorTroy KotsurBest Costume DesignDavid ZylaBest Sound DesignBill O'BrienValley Theatre LeagueBest MusicalBest DirectorJeff CalhounBest ChoreographerJeff CalhounBest Musical DirectorSteven LandauBest ActorTyrone GiordanoBest Supporting ActorTroy KotsurBest ActressMelissa van der SchyffBest Supporting ActressDeanne BrayTrue WestBest Revival DramaBest ActorTroy KotsurBill O'Brien2001LA Weekly Theatre AwardsBig RiverBest Director of a MusicalJeff CalhounBest MusicalBest Musical EnsembleLA Drama Critics Circle AwardsBest ProductionBest DirectorJeff CalhounBest Musical DirectorSteven LandauBest Set DesignRay KlausenBest ChoreographyJeff CalhounBest AdaptationBackstage West Garland AwardsBest MusicalBest Director of a MusicalJeff CalhounBest Musical DirectionSteven LandauBest ActorBill O'BrienTyrone GiordanoBest Set DesignRay KlausenEntertainment TodayTicketholder AwardsOutstanding ProductionBest New DiscoveryTyrone GiordanoBest Supporting ActorTroy KotsurLyle KanouseBest DirectorJeff CalhounBest Ensemble CastRobby AwardsBest DirectorJeff CalhounBest ActorTyrone GiordanoBest Set DesignRay KlausenRoad to RevolutionBest DramaBest ActressPhyllis FrelichDeanne BrayBest PlaywrightMark MedoffBest DirectorMark MedoffBest Lighting DesignSteven WallaceValley Theatre LeagueBest ActressPhyllis FrelichBest Stage ManagerMeredith Greenburg2000Ovation AwardsOliver!Best MusicalBest DirectorJeff CalhounBest ChoreographerBrian Paul MendozaBest Adaptation/TranslationBest ActorGeorge McDanielBest Featured ActorHarris DoranTroy KotsurBest Featured ActressAntoinette AbbamonteCarol KlineBest Lighting DesignMichael GilliamA StreetcarNamed DesireBest DirectorDeborah LaVineBest ActressSuanne SpokeBest Set DesignRobert SteinbergBest Lighting DesignKen BoothBest Sound DesignBill O'BrienBest PlayBest Adaptation/TranslationLA Weekly Theatre AwardsBest ActressSuanne SpokeBest Set DesignRobert SteinbergValley Theatre LeavueBest Revival DramaBest Actor in a DramaTroy KotsurBest Actress in a DramaSuanne SpokeBest DirectorDeborah LaVineBest Set DesignRobert SteinbergOliver!Best MusicalBest Director of a MusicalJeff Calhoun