The Allied Campus Theatre at the Legacy of Educational Excellence (LEE) High School recently put on a show-stopping performance of the hit musical Mamma Mia.
During the Friday night show, just left of center stage, another rousing performance took place as LEE American Sign Language (ASL) students signed the entire show for the audience.
It’s the first time a collaboration like this has taken place during a performance at LEE. The idea itself and the performance was all student led, with ASL Club students Be’a Kested and Keadryn Remke leading the way, as ASL teacher Alicia Uecker cheered them on.
“I supervised, supported and directed the signers as needed, but it was their project,” said Uecker. “We were so excited to be part of this awesome opportunity and for the students to gain real-world experience. The directors, cast and crew were welcoming and inclusive, and even included the signers as part of the curtain call.”
The experience was a win-win for everyone involved, and all parties hope to continue the new tradition in the years ahead. Countless hours of practice went into preparing for the show, and the attention to detail and pure passion was on display as two performances happened in perfect harmony.
“ASL students attended cue to cue rehearsals to see where they would be on stage and go through transitions,” said Co-Theatre Director Kasey Korth-Piles. “Mrs. Uecker’s students went above and beyond and surpassed our expectations. We enjoyed working with the ASL Club and they had a blast!”
When students lead the way, and teachers say yes to those big ideas and are open to collaborating – there’s nothing we can’t accomplish #theNEISDway.
