Pilates Day! A Fundraiser for H.A.C. -July 19,2008

You saw Academy Award winning actress Marlee Matlin thrill and inspire us with her sassy and sexy dancing on last season’s Dancing With The Stars. When you think Deaf Actor, she is the first, and maybe the only, name that comes to mind. That is understandable, the industry is a bit silent about their talents. Many people don’t realize there is a whole world of talented Deaf and Hard of Hearing actors who use American Sign Language in their performances on stage, television, and film. You might not realize Deanne Bray, who played Sue Thomas on “Sue Thomas: FBEye” and was seen on “The L Word”, uses ASL. As does Ty Giordano who played Huckleberry Finn, in “Big River” at the Mark Taper and on Broadway, and played Tim Wilks in this year’s crime thriller “Untraceable”.

Want to know more about this diverse community, come to Pivotal Motion Pilates Studio on July 19. Pivotal Motion Pilates is thrilled to host a fundraiser for local non-profit Hands Across Communications: Supporting Sign Language Performers. “Pilates Day” will include a mat class starting every hour from 9-1. After the mat class you will be treated to free demos of chi massage, infra-red light bed, deep tissue massage, nutritional coaching and more. There will be gift bags loaded with goodies and freebies, and a raffle for spa and pilates packages and more. All proceeds support Hands Across Communications.

Hands Across Communications (HAC), a Calabasas based non-profit, is committed to providing opportunities for performers who use American Sign Language. Last fall it hosted the first ever International Sign Language Theater Festival in Woodland Hills, providing an opportunity for talented Sign Language performers to show off their skills. Three days of theater performances, workshops, panel discussions, and even a children’s show, all in Sign Language. The event included the talents of Deanne and Ty, and many more American and International Performers.

H.A.C. Director CJ Jones won KCET’s Black History Month “Unsung Hereo’s” award. CJ Jones received an Ensemble Tony Award for his role of Orin in Broadway’s Children of Lessor God. He has been seen on Frasier, Cold Case, Sesame Street, and A Different World. Mr. Jones and Hands Across Communication are also a leading subject of an upcoming documentary by Hilari Scarl titled “See What I’m Saying”.

Don’t miss Pilates Day at Pivotal Motion in Westlake Village, and help Hands Across Communication get the “ASL” word out. Suggested donation for the event is $25. Reserve your space by calling Pivotal Motion at (818) 889-8008. We are located at 5655 Lindero Canyon Rd, Suite 504, Westlake Village, CA 91362.