Free Queens Theatre Program Trains Deaf And Disabled Actors

FLUSHING, QUEENS — Queens Theatre in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is offering a free training program to boost the careers of deaf and disabled actors.

The Theatre For All Professional Training Program kicks off its second year in September with such workshops as acting for the camera, acting for the stage, improv, auditioning and commercial acting. Applications are due by Monday, July 15.

Last year's instructors included Vincent D'Onofrio of "Jurassic World" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and Brigid Brady, who starred in "The Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway.

The free, two-week training program ends with a performance for industry professionals.

"The experience I gained at Theatre For All really helped me navigate the shooting process and helped improve my on-camera work," said deaf actor Dickie Hearts, who participated in the first training program in 2018 and now appears in Netflix's "Tales of the City."

The training program is part of the Queens Theatre's larger inclusivity initiative Theatre For All, founded in 2016.

The initiative is named after the Playground for All Children in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, which was the first playground in the country designed to be accessible to disabled children.

"As a person who has been disabled all my life and as a professional actor, I have every confidence in saying no other theater company is doing what we're doing," Queens Theatre's Director of Inclusion Gregg Mozgala said.

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