ASL ❤️ presents
go off your script
The Deaf Gang is proud to collaborate with ASL Love and DCARA to host this one week intensive improv workshop. During the class Joshua Castille, assisted by Jules Dameron, will establish the rules of basic improv, giving actors tools to recognize their authentic impulses, and introduce activities that will help create original works.
location
Deaf Community Center
1550 San Leandro Blvd,
San Leandro, CA
class information
Sunday 2/16 5:30pm-7:30pm
Mon Tues Thurs Fri 2/17-2/21 6-9pm
Weds No Class
Sat Showcase 2/22 7-10pm
Registration Fee: $99
Payment plan available
MEET YOUR TEACHERS
Josh castille
Joshua Castille is known for being an actor in various projects such as the Broadway revival of Spring Awakening, 5th Ave Theatre's production of The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, and ACT Theatre's Romeo and Juliet.
He has been very fortunate to have an extensive background in training. Growing up he was involved in over 20 community theatre productions, while being involved in all 3 high school theatre programs. The programs trained him in the art of "Speech and Debate/Drama" (presentational performance), theatre of war/politics/revolution, and original works, he also took improv classes at UCB and Groundlings, both focused on character and story development within improv.
His training has proven applicable in his career. This workshop is what he believes will provide actors with a foundation that will carry throughout any project to ensure the actor brings quality in their results.
Jules dameroN
Jules Dameron is a deaf queer film & theatre director, working with both deaf and hearing actors. She graduated from Gallaudet University with a B.A. in TV/Cinema and then obtained an MFA in Film Production/Directing at the University of Southern California, one of the best film schools in the world. That shift between both cultures gave Jules a strong insight on how the standard process of acting was developed for and by hearing/speaking artists.
Jules used her instincts to organically develop techniques and tools for her deaf/signing and hearing/speaking actors to be able to work together authentically in her films. Her techniques came from her previous film works such as the music videos Rolling in the Deep (Amber Zion), Hero (Sean Berdy), Lazy Song (Miles Barbee) and even Somebody I Used to Know (Azora Telford). She’s directed series such as Reverse Polarity (on DPAN.TV) and Don’t Shoot the Messenger (YouTube) as well as the television series, Møkkakaffe (NRK) which has aired in Norway nationwide.
Jules realized that the best actors that she worked with had the ability to create a world with their acting partners. This came from the actors having a strong background in improv training. Jules then took classes at UCB in improv and worked alongside with Joshua Castille in applying those techniques onto deaf actors. Using all of her experiences and development, Jules is stoked to be working with ASL Love and supporting #DeafTalent in finding their creative voice.
Instructor’s Note
Both instructors want to take this opportunity to acknowledge that Josh's training was hearing-centric and some of it did not apply to deaf/signing roles. Which is why Josh founded "The Deaf Gang," a creative/training ground for deaf/signing actors to learn and share experiences. He brought Jules Dameron alongside, together they found ways to make hearing techniques work and new rules that apply to the deaf expression. The Deaf Gang ended up producing 3 original sketch/improv shows with all deaf actors. Using their experience in training and educating, they invite you to join them in learning about improv as well as developing techniques that apply to the deaf/signing performance.