Pace University’s Sands College of Performing Arts and Deaf West Theatre have announced the launch of a new artist-in-residence program this fall. The initiative is aimed at improving accessibility in musical theater training, particularly for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
A central part of the program is the ASL Music Theory Lexicon Project. This multi-phase effort, led by Deaf West Theatre, seeks to create a comprehensive American Sign Language (ASL) lexicon for music theory concepts such as rhythm, pitch, harmony, and notation. The first phase will take place during the fall semester with Sands College musical theater BFA students and continue through the 2025–2026 academic year.
DJ Kurs, artistic director of Deaf West Theatre, said: “Sands College of Performing Arts admitted a deaf student — and an alumnus of our stages — into their prestigious BFA musical theatre program for the first time. While this is an extraordinary moment, it also raised an urgent question for us: How could we ensure that this student — and the many deaf artists who will follow — receive equitable access to the musical education their hearing peers take for granted? At Deaf West, we believe access is a creative asset, not a limitation. This residency with Sands College gives us the chance to create new tools for artists, ensuring that music and performance education are open to everyone.”
Students at Pace will participate in class sessions and workshops focused on Deaf West’s inclusive performance practices. Amanda Flynn, Ed.D., head of musical theater at Sands College of Performing Arts, stated: “This partnership exemplifies our mission to prepare students not just for performance, but to be changemakers in the industry. By engaging with Deaf West’s inclusive methods, our students are learning how access and innovation go hand in hand. This is the future of the performing arts — and our students are at the forefront.”
The residency is supported by an endowed fund at Sands College that brings visiting artists each semester to collaborate with undergraduates on stage pieces and rehearsals.
Jennifer Weber—known for work on Broadway productions such as & Juliet—and ASL choreographer Daniela Maucere will lead workshops where students learn about staging and choreography adapted for ASL storytelling.
Jennifer Holmes, Ph.D., dean of Sands College of Performing Arts said: “This residency represents what Sands College of Performing Arts is all about. We’re building an ecosystem where students learn from visionary artists who are shaping the future of the field. Deaf West’s approach to access, creativity and community is something we want every student to experience.”
The project aims not only to translate words into signs but also address broader issues of equity in music education for deaf artists. It is led by Christopher Tester (deaf subject matter expert), Christopher Lloyd Bratten-Zappala (music theory expert), and DJ Kurs.
By participating in this residency program, students will gain practical experience with ASL staging techniques while exploring connections between deaf culture and mainstream theater practices.
Jeff Perri ’12, managing director of Deaf West Theatre said: “As both a proud Pace Musical Theater alum and a CODA — child of deaf adults — this residency is deeply personal to me. To return to my alma mater and share our process with the next generation of artists is incredibly special. This isn’t just about teaching technique — it’s about giving students access to the moment of creation, where deaf and hearing cultures meet to build something greater together.”
Deaf West Theatre was founded in Los Angeles in 1991 with a focus on advancing accessibility for deaf creatives through collaborative arts projects that include both deaf and hearing participants.
Pace University offers degree programs across multiple campuses in New York City and Westchester County serving over 13,000 students across various colleges including its performing arts school.
Sands College has been recognized as one of Playbill’s top ten most represented colleges on Broadway due to its graduates’ participation in major productions.
