Antoinette Abbamonte is a deaf actress who has appeared on television and in a web series (a web series is an original program for the Internet). After becoming aware of Antoinette via the web series, About.com Deafness interviewed her by email.
Q: How did you get into acting?
A: Since birth, I guess. I saw all the pictures of myself that my parents took and I noticed I learned how to be a performer in front of the camera. I have the clip of myself when my brother, Carlo, was born and was in the carriage, sound asleep. My dad was running video on him and I saw myself climbing over the carriage because I wanted to be center stage in the video. I was signing to my 'deaf' dad "Shhh, he is asleep." I looked so natural and believable. I was only 2.
At age 12, I played Lisa in The Sound of Music. I enjoyed it and remember feeling so good about myself. I was using total communication language throughout the play (both sign and speech simultaneously which is quite difficult). I received an award and was so flattered.
I began acting school when I was at Edward R. Murrow High School. I withdrew from the acting world at times since I did not see a clear vision or role for myself as a child actor who happened to be deaf -- until the day my cousin who was also deaf took me to the Broadway performance of Children of Lesser God. I was so proud of Phyllis Frelich. I was thinking about her a lot after I saw the play. I was able to believe in myself all over again. It was a great feeling of newfound confidence!
I applied for acting school at college while I was working full time at a bank. Then I applied for National Theater of the Deaf (NTD) and was thrilled when they accepted me. I had to quit my job to go away for the whole summer with NTD. Then, luckily, I was hired as a full time actor, instructor, director and writer for Fairmount Theater of the Deaf (later Cleveland Sign Stage). The goal was to develop the cultural bridge between the deaf and hearing communities. It worked well. I was able to direct plays and I wrote a play called "Subway Tales." Remarkable experiences.
Q: What are the highlights of your acting career so far?
A: Laura Wingfield, "The Glass Menagerie"; Queen Margaret, "Richard III"; Betty, "Raising Hope" on Fox; and Dewey, "The Vamps Next Door" web series. [This web series is closed captioned.]
Q: How would you describe your character Dewey?
A: Dewey is very smart and insightful. She works in the mainstream and overcomes many obstacles in life. I can't say any more. I would want for you to watch! (Wink)
Q: How did you find out about this web series role?
A: Olivia Dunkley, whom I have worked with at acting workshops, and I met many casting directors. She is fluent in ASL and would frequently stand up at workshops and say I will volunteer to interpret for Antoinette. We became friends. She is a very talented and beautiful woman. She went for the audition of "The Vamps Next Door" and the role was a deaf woman. Olivia suggested my name and said I know someone who is talented and actually deaf. Phil Ramuno, the director and Laura Van Scotter, writer, decided to develop a new character, Dewey.
Q: Given that this is a web series, how do you see your character developing over time?
A: I'm the actor so I would have the confidence of my writers to take the lead in that developing and maturing of Dewey.
Q: Would you encourage other deaf actors to take roles on other web series?
A: It depends how much they can accomplish. Sure, I would encourage them to jump off the cliff and fly. It does not matter if you win or not. If it doesn't succeed initially, stand up and do it again... keep trying to move forward!
Q: Do you act only or do you have another job?
A: In the past during my 20's, I had no money. I had students coming to my studio paying me for private American Sign Language (ASL) lessons to help me feed myself and pay for my studio apartment. I found a way to survive just like any other actor. (Antoinette is also actively advocating for the hiring of more actors with disabilities.)
Q: Will you come back on "Raising Hope?" (On "Raising Hope," she played a deaf co-worker in one scene in the episode "Meet the Grandparents.")
A: I am hoping to come back on "Raising Hope." Betty is a great role. I believe it would help to reach others as a role model. Speaking [as] a deaf person who can work out there in the real world. Helping the employers hire more employees who are deaf.
It was awesome. They [came] to me and said thank you for being part of this scene. The director, Jace Alexander, was well aware of working with me as a deaf [actress] but I did not see him limiting my work. I saw him believing in me. That was the most important for me to see that. I have always want to see people looking at my talents, not my ears!
Q: Tell me about "Beyond Essays," the film you had a role in?
A: "Beyond Essays" made it into the Deaf Film Festival of 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden. It is at http://www.dovfilmfestival.nu. You can find the English link in the navigation. The film isn't shown on there yet, but it will be updated soon.
Q: What is your children's book "Tree Wise" about?
A: Here is the synopsis of my "Tree Wise" book: It's a delightful story about a boy who learns how to help his new friend and classmates understand more about deaf culture. A wise old tree teaches sign language to the children through games. Colorful pictures and simple diagrams make it easy to pick up sign language.
My book was published but then the publishing company was a victim of the economy and closed down. The manuscript is complete and is presently being submitted to new publishers.
"Tree Wise" was adapted into a play by the National Theatre of the Deaf from 2008 to 2010. The Artistic Director for NTD very much appreciated producing the "Tree Wise" play, and said it was successful throughout their tour of the schools all along the East Coast.
Q: You wrote a solo play. What is it about?
A: "Cliterally Speaking." It is about the journey of my life. Being a woman, being deaf, growing up in Brooklyn and much more. There are some points in the story that have comic relief, as if you ride on a roller coaster.
