Kent Trumbull Student Brings Theatre to the Deaf Community

Kent State University at Trumbull sophomore Jessie Narkum is co-directing performances of The Little Mermaid Jr. on April 7 and 8, at Hubbard High School Auditorium. This isn’t the typical student-directed play. Narkum, an American Sign Language (ASL) major, is working with Hubbard High School ASL teacher Richard Magazzine to produce the play entirely in ASL. Audio translations will be available for the hearing audience.  

Narkum says it is important to connect her passion to her education.

“I have friends who are deaf, so bridging communication has become my purpose,” Narkum says. “I have been learning ASL since I was a junior in high school.”

Last year, she and Magazzine co-directed Beauty and the Beast Jr. in ASL. Narkum, who minors in education, was chosen for the first-ever Kent State Trumbull homecoming court last fall, and she is involved in student government.

“Narkum is a great example of who we want our students to strive to be,” says Lance Grahn, dean and chief administrative officer of Kent State Trumbull. “We believe all of our students are full of great potential, and we want to help them develop the exceptional capacity to achieve amazing things.”

Performances each night begin at 7 p.m. Tickets, which will be sold at the door, are $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

POSTED: Wednesday, March 22, 2017 12:30 PM
Updated: Thursday, December 8, 2022 09:20 PM