Testimonial By: Monique Savasta

Mentoring with “A Show of Hands” has had a profound impact on my interpreting skills. Having completed the Interpreter Preparation Program at American River College, I had attended many of the workshops showcasing music and theatre presented by Angelene Fowler and Bobbie Jackson. Theatre and music have always been a part of my life, and I was very excited to be able to attend many of the shows interpreted by them. I was thrilled to learn about the mentoring opportunity they offered, and joined the group eagerly, albeit concerned about my skills in such a medium.  An amazing part of being in the group was the opportunity to work with certified and skilled interpreters as they are; but the best part was the feeling of being in a welcoming and safe environment where skills are nurtured and new ideas are appreciated. I never felt as if my contributions were unimportant; indeed, one of my favorite comments was the first time one of them said “I like that! I’m going to use it!”

Within the theatre mentoring environment we utilize the same interpreting thought processes that we learned in school: researching, predicting, seeking equality of meaning, utilizing role shift, expansion, use of pronouns, space and classifiers, and so much more. But it all becomes larger in theatre, and a simple pronoun becomes “honorific.” Signs are larger, and sometimes one must “become” someone in the song or role to illustrate what is happening. Teaming becomes very important: trusting your team to give you a sign when the environment isn’t perfect and sound systems are spotty.

Trust is an important part of “A Show of Hands” mentoring. We mentees trust that we are in a safe environment where we can learn and receive constructive criticism in a positive manner from our mentors. We are encouraged to question their modeling, which enhances our learning experience.  

We have all learned that much preparation is involved in interpreting a play and we are required to research the background of a play or words unfamiliar to us. Who would have thought that “a lavalier” is a very long necklace!

Each of us brings our talents and experiences to the table when we meet. Each of us has a style of our own, and we are encouraged to grow and try new experiences, to step outside of our comfort zones when we interpret a play. Through an agreement with a local theatre, we have the opportunity to stand in front of a live audience, put our hands up and get “on with the show.”

We do not become clones of our teachers, Angelene and Vicki, but we are encouraged to reach into ourselves and bring out our best ideas. Encouragement, a welcoming environment, stories of past shows, mistakes and successes, and hands-up practice showcase the mentoring offered by “A Show of Hands.” My favorite comment was hearing “You made me proud. That was some of your best work. You are so dedicated.”

It just doesn’t get better than that.