| Introduction | Production Notes | Character Notes |
| Cast | Production Team | Special Thanks |

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PERFORMANCE DATES (2017)
Kent State Trumbull Theatre
December 1 & 2, 8:00pm; December 3, 3:00pm
December 8 & 9, 8:00pm; December 10, 3:00pm

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Introduction

For each scene, the signers are always performing toward downstage and the speakers are always in the “radio station” sides of the stage, (each side of the stage).  Time is being represented by space, mimicking time representation in American Sign Language.  In other words, the stage represents a human body.  Upstage (the far back) represents the past, just as leaning backwards when signing in American Sign Language (ASL) represents the past. Likewise, standing straight in ASL represents current time, and center stage also represents current time.  Finally both downstage and the audience area represent the future, just as leaning forward when signing in ASL represents the future.  Welcome to Def world symbolism!  There is other symbolism as well.  Images projected inside the giant wreath represent Scrooge’s mind: his thoughts, his dreams, his memories, his nightmares.  The boxes of Gizmos represent Scrooge’s guilty conscience.  Most of the action on stage right (the left side, if you are facing the stage from the audience) represents the dream world, the spirit world.  Most of the action on the other side of the stage (near the door and counter) represents the real world, here in 21st-century Northeast Ohio.

Charles Dickens’ wonderful novel, A Christmas Carol, is not at all the first Christmas ghost story. For example, another great class is the medieval Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a story that begins in King Arthur’s court, where he his hosting a Christmas feast, when a green knight enters the hall with the challenge for some brave knight to chop off his head.  While Christmas is a Christian holiday that was created in the Middle Ages, it was a feast intended to replace celebrations associated with the Winter Solstice. It’s a party! Wealthier medieval Christian kings gave out gifts (as they did at most big feasts of the year). The Christmas tree and many other contemporary symbols of Christmas are are taken from older, non-Christian religious systems.  By the way, a carol is a religious folk song or popular hymn, particularly one associated with Christmas; to go caroling is to go singing, particularly Christmas songs. Some songs are beautiful, while others are deeply disturbing, and still others are simple silly fun.  Charles Dickens’ wonderful ghost story is a “song” that is full of British 19th-century values.

This play is loosely based upon the Charles Dickens’ classic. In fact, many of the characters’ names have been changed, to note just how loose this adaptation truly is. Charles Dickens wrote a wonderful ghost story full of Victorian Christian ethos and humanism. This play, however, is ANOTHER ghost story, ANOTHER Christmas Carol, set in 21st-century United States (Northeast Ohio, even), attempting embrace an ethos that recognizes diversity, equity, and inclusion. It attempts to embrace, for example, the Articles of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as developed by founding members of the United Nations.  Ebenezer Scrooge is an Ohioan in 2017, running a store that has been highly successful in selling Gizmos. (We have no idea what Gizmos are, but they have made him very rich.)

This play was a joint Deaf/hearing production. The intended audience was both hearing and Deaf: those who were signing-impaired were able to follow the play through the speakers’ performance and those who were hearing-impaired were able to follow the play through the signers’ performance.  Everyone had a voice, be it signed or spoken. It might be best to think of the speakers as performing something akin to a radio play, while the signers were performing something akin to a dance. Speakers also provided additional sound effects (with their throats and mouths, but also with various types of musical instruments and other tools). Signers also provided additional visual effects (such as with led-gloves and flags or streamers, but also with dance and pantomime).

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Production Notes

Director’s Notes
This show started out as a very small idea: to gather together a few Deaf and hearing individuals and put on a very small, almost informal, performance for the holidays: a group storytelling of sorts.  But then, like Grinch’s heart (yes I know, wrong story), it grew and grew until it became three times its normal size: a full length, original play that includes all sorts of audio-visual expressions.  I especially wish to thank Farah Kish-Leland and Lauren Albaugh for taking the lead  in creating the four gesture songs, for helping the actors to transcribe the script from English to ASL, for their numerous creative ideas and other insightful contributions, and for their wonderful support in this venture. However, we three were not at all the only creators of this show, not at all!  Composed by the cast and directors, in both English and American Sign Language, this show belongs to everyone involved—cast and crew, Deaf and hearing—we all made this Charles Dickens story into something new and different, yet still slightly familiar.  Often, understanding each other was a challenge, but not insurmountable (some of us are signing impaired; some of us are Deaf).  It has been a lot of work, and everyone worked a lot.  This has been an awesome cast and crew, and I am deeply honored to have had this opportunity to learn so much from them.  No matter the end result, this experience has demonstrated just how kind the human heart can be, just how creatively the human mind can flow, and just how high the human spirit can soar.
Carol L. Robinson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English

Assistant Director/Sign Master’s Notes
I am very honored and proud to be a part of such a talented group of people.  Our production makes me proud to see hearing and deaf people working together towards the same goal, lending all the best from hearing and deaf cultures.  I can’t say enough about how honored I am that Dr. Carol Robinson asked me to work with her on this project.  She has guided me and taught me a great deal.  This has truly been an enriching experience.
Farah Kish-Leland
American Sign Language Instructor

Assistant Signmaster/Assistant Videographer’s Notes
Being an Assistant Sign Master has been a wonderful experience.  I have been deeply driven to improve my knowledge in translating English to ASL while looking to gain experience in the theatre and stage.  I was very thrilled to be a part of this production of ANOTHER Christmas Carol.  I have been enjoying it so much.  Additionally, while I was hesitant at first to accept the additional role as a cast member in the performance, due to lack of time, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made, a great opportunity to gain experience in using ASL in a theatre setting.  I am deeply honored to have worked with such wonderful people.

Being an Assistant Videographer is helping me to learn something that is possibly related to my future graduate work in education.  It has been a good way to start gaining the experience and building my porfolio.  I am looking forward to playing around with the camera more, in the future.
Lauren Albaugh
American Sign Language Instructor

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Notes about Some of the Characters

Ebeneezer Scrooge We have chosen to keep this name as tribute to Charles Dickens’ novel. He is different from the original Scrooge, however, except that he is also all about profit. He is a fast-talking salesman. He acts like he loves people in order to make a sale. He owns a store that sells gizmos and widgets—it does not really matter what they actually are. Most of his sales happen online, but he also owns a local store. He does everything that he can to build a profit, bending the rules and finding loopholes.

Barb Crachler This character is a variation of Bob Crachit. She is Jewish. The point for this change in name and gender identity is to allow for more contemporary values and issues to be raised. We do not live in a Christian-only world, and women make up a large part of the workforce that is still underpaid. Also, she is a grandmother.

Tiny Timmie This character is Barb Crachler’s grandchild and has a true illness that can be terminal if not treated properly. It doesn’t really matter what the illness is, but it should be indicated by uses of any or all of the following props: a bed, a head-scarf that indicates chemo-therapy, a walker, a wheelchair, oxygen tank and tubing or mask, lots of medications administered during the show.

Mr. Crachler This character is Barb Crachler’s spouse (see above). He is somewhat decrepit and retired. He looks after Tiny Timmie, barely. (He struggles.)

Crachler Grandchildren These poor kids live with their grandparents. Their parents are dead, in jail, incompetent, or perhaps working far away where children are not permitted. (This is up for discussion.) They will have some lines that they speak and/or sign.

Freddie Scrooge’s Nephew/Niece—this is also Maggie’s child.

Town Council They come by to acquire donations from Scrooge. They also appear in Scrooge’s hypothetical future (alluding to his possible death).

Marley This is Scrooge’s former business partner, who warns him of the coming ghosts. Again, I kept the last name as tribute to Dickens’ novel.

Ghosts of the Past—Male These two characters are passive-aggressive hippies who are versed in practices of emotional healing, whatever that means.

Peace This is a smaller spirit, a mini-hippie, that clings to these ghosts; it should be a child.

Love This is a smaller spirit, a mini-hippie that clings to these ghosts; it should be a child.

Young Adult Scrooge (Age: early/mid 20s) This character’s performance will be video recorded and shown on a screen for the contemporary Scrooge and Ghosts of the Past to watch and discuss.

Much Younger Scrooge (Age: 9-12) This character’s performance will be video recorded and shown on a screen for the contemporary Scrooge and Ghosts of the Past to watch and discuss.

Maggie This is Scrooge’s older sister, in her late teens or early 20s when she first appears. She never dies. She is the closest thing to family that Scrooge has ever experienced, until her child grows up and moves out to live near him. Freddie is her daughter. Most of this character’s performance will be video recorded and shown on a screen for the contemporary Scrooge and Ghosts of the Past to watch and discuss. She appears again at the end of the play, in current times.

A Big Flirt This character parallels Scrooge’s fast-talking methods for getting what he/she wants. Very similar to Scrooge, except that the greed is for sex rather than money. This character’s performance will be video recorded and shown on a screen for the contemporary Scrooge and Ghosts of the Past to watch and discuss.

Ghost of the Present This character is a circus ringmaster. This character shows Scrooge all the wonderful possibilities of his life, how much of a wonderful circus it could be, how much of a lousy person Scrooge currently has been (is).

Ignorance This is a smaller spirit, a mini-circus character of any kind, that clings to this ghost; it should be a child.

Want This is a smaller spirit, a mini-circus character of any kind, that clings to this ghost; it should be a child.

Ghost of the Future Evil Santa of Death: must wear mittens and a smiling mask; it might be wise to use a suit that is non-traditional Santa/Christmas colors; another option is the yeti costume in Santa hat, ect.. This character performs body gestures with sound gestures.

Happy Elves of Death These characters must be wearing a mask, preferably smiling. This character is an assistant to the Ghost of the Future (to Death). This character performs body gestures with sound gestures.

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Cast

Character	Signer	Speaker
Ebenezer Scrooge	Kurt Cullison	Andrew Budny
Barb Crachler (Scrooge’s Clerk)	Beth Myers	Rebecca Hardman
Freddie (Scrooge’s Niece)	Lauren Albaugh	Valerie Dalrymple
Marley (Scrooge’s Dead Partner)	Justin McCune	Shane Glaeser
Town Council #1	Christine Fowler	Tiffany Mulloy
Town Council #2	Mark Myers	Shane Glaeser
Homeless Teen #1	Valerie Dalyrmple	—–
Homeless Teen #2	Aidan Scott	—–
Last-Minute Shopper	Pamela Beish	—–
Ghost of Past	João Ciuba	Shane Glaeser
Ghost of Past	Ammauri Peters	Christine Fowler
Peace	Jack Ford	—–
Love	Madison Ford	—–
Maggi Scrooge (Scrooge’s Sister)	Pamela Beish	Tiffany Mulloy
Young Maggi Scrooge	Pamela Beish	Valerie Dalrymple
Child Ebenezer Scrooge	Ethan Ramsey	Ethan Ramsey
Young Adult Ebenezer Scrooge	João Ciuba	Shane Glaeser
Flirt	Ammauri Peters	Heather Sutherin
Ghost of Present	Justin McCune	Shane Glaeser
Ignorance	Jack Ford	—–
Want	Madison Ford	—–
Stage Manager	Tiffany Mulloy	—–
Freddie’s Spouse	Rachel Fowler	Heather Sutherin
Freddie’s Friend #1	João Ciuba	Aidan Scott
Freddie’s Friend #2	Jaden Leland	Shane Glaeser
Freddie’s Other Party Friends	Mark Myers Ammauri Peters Christine Fowler	—–
Barb Crachler’s Spouse	Mark Myers	Shane Glaeser
Barb Crachler’s Daughter	Tiffany Mulloy	Heather Sutherin
Tiny Timmie	Kisha Leland	Valerie Dalrymple
Crachler Grandchildren	Ethan Ramsey Rachel Fowler Aidan Scott	—–
Ghost of Future (“Evil Santa”)	João Ciuba	—–
Happy Elves of Death	Justin McCune Rachel Fowler Jack Ford Madison Ford Kisha Leland Ethan Ramsey	—–
KSU Donor Seeker	Eric Kildow (12/1-3) Lance Grahn (12/8-10)
Foley Artist	Chris Varner	—–
Assist. Foley Artist	Emily Varner

Musicians

• Valerie Dalyrmple
• Shane Glaeser
• Rebecca Hardman
• Heather Sutherin
• Chris Varner
• Emily Varner

Gesture Song Performers

Gesture Song #1
~~Visual: Pamela Beish, João Ciuba, Kurt Cullison, Jack Ford, Madison Ford, Christine Fowler, Rachel Fowler, Kisha Leland, Justin McCune, Tiffany Mulloy, Beth Myers, Mark Myers, Ammauri Peters, Ethan Ramsey,
~~Audio: Valerie Dalrymple, Shane Glaeser, Rebecca Hardman, Aidan Scott, Heather Sutherin, Chris Varner

Gesture Song #2
~~Visual: Christine Fowler, Rachel Fowler, Kisha Leland, Justin McCune, Tiffany Mulloy, Beth Myers, Mark Myers, Ethan Ramsey,
~~Audio: Valerie Dalrymple, Shane Glaeser, Rebecca Hardman, Aidan Scott, Heather Sutherin, Chris Varner

Gesture Song #:
~~Visual: João Ciuba, Christine Fowler, Rachel Fowler, Kisha Leland, Tiffany Mulloy, Beth Myers, Ammauri Peters,
~~Audio: Valerie Dalrymple, Shane Glaeser, Rebecca Hardman, Aidan Scott, Heather Sutherin, Chris Varner

Gesture Song #4
~~Visual: Christine Fowler, Rachel Fowler, Kisha Leland, Tiffany Mulloy, Beth Myers, Mark Myers,
~~Audio: Valerie Dalrymple, Shane Glaeser, Rebecca Hardman, Aidan Scott, Heather Sutherin, Chris Varner

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Production Team

Director and Co-Producer: Carol L. Robinson
Assistant Director & Sign Master: Farah Kish-Leland
Assistant Sign Master: Lauren Albaugh
Co-Producer: Eric Kildow
Stage Manager: Hannah Sisler
Associate Stage Manager: Jessica Brumfield
Technical Director: Tony E. Kovacic
Properties Design: Kathi Kovacic
Lighting Design: Leslie Brown
Costume Design: Frances Harrison
Sound Design: Jessica Brumfield
Follow Spot: Vaughn Wesley
Run Crew: Sierra Boyle, Jacqueline Perry, Maggi Rihel, Nick Shearer, Matt Pokorny
Holiday Poster Artwork: Kisha Leland, Ethan Ramsey, Jack Myers, and Madison Myers
Gesture Songs Design: Farah Kish-Leland, Lauren Albaugh, Carol Robinson
Gesture Songs Visual Directors: Farah Kish-Leland and Lauren Albaugh
Gesture Songs Audio Directors: Heather Sutherin, Shane Glaeser, and Valerie Dalrymple
Video Work: Carol Robinson and Lauren Albaugh
Morale & Spirit Coach: João Ciuba

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Special Thanks

We are extremely grateful to the below organizational and individual sponsors whose generosity allows us to bring this very special performance to life!

KSU at Trumbull Nursing Program
Scott Randby
Dr. Carol Robinson’s Senior Seminar on Deaf Culture students
Vincent Lighting
Kent Trumbull Diversity in Action Council
Hugh A. Glauser School of Music
Dr. Lance Grahn
Dr. Daniel Palmer
Elaine Petrosky
Loralee Barnes
Harry Packard and the Staff of the Gelbke Library
Marion Woofter and Reprographics
Chris Popadak and the Switchboard Staff
Bob Rhine and the Maintenance Staff
Gary Bateman and the Security Staff

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