Rachel Berman-Kobylarz (ASL Coach/DASL), Deaf Las Vegas native, recently moved to Boston with her husband and dog to work as an Associate Academic Specialist for American Sign Language (ASL) at Northeastern University. This is her second year working with the CSC Access team. Last year, she co-facilitated the Handshakes Pilot program with Chris Robinson and directed the ASL team for apprentice’s showing of Romeo & Juliet. She has 14+ years of experience in ASL instruction at college level and consulted in the arts and entertainment industries (both hearing and Deaf theatres) as an ASL Coach and Director of Artistic Sign Language (DASL). She has three degrees under her belt: B.A. in Communication Sciences from University of Arizona, M.S. in Communication Studies from Gallaudet University and M.A. in Teaching American Sign Language from University of Northern Colorado. Growing up as a dancer and in the arts, she is passionate about accessibility in arts and ensuring shows can be enjoyable by the Deaf/HH patrons through her work with the ASL interpreting team. Rachel’s DASL work in Boston was with Jesus Christ Superstar, SIX, Anastasia, and Into the Woods and other productions hosted by Northeastern theatre department such as This is Treatment and Polaroid Stories. She has served the community in a variety of capacities as a board member of a non-profit organization, was a creator of digital children books, access trainer and teacher for corporations, artist and social media content creator and manager of “ASL Slam Denver”. To check out Rachel’s work, go to https://youtu.be/cIEH9KdKwM4
Christopher Robinson (CSC Access Advocate/ Interpreter) joined Boston University as staff ASL/English interpreter in 2005 and when on to become the Coordinator of Outreach and Training at Boston University Disability & Access Services (DAS) in 2013. He has practiced as a Performing Arts ASL/English Interpreter since 1994. Much of his work as an ASL/English interpreter has been influenced by his conversations with the late playwright August Wilson. When not interpreting, he is a stage and television actor. Christopher has over 25 years experience as an ASL/English Interpreter, Mentor and national presenter in the content areas of inclusion practices in the Performing Arts, Mentorship for Interpreters, and Cross-Cultural Mediation within Deaf and hearing communities.
In 2001, Christopher entered the Conference Interpreter Mentorship Program (CIMP), a collaborative project with the then Northeastern University Interpreter Education Project and Boston University Center for Interpreter Education (BUCIE). Upon completion of the program in 2003, he went on to become coordinator of the program until 2006. From the Fall of 2007 to the Fall of 2008, Christopher was one of two lead facilitator trainers for the Gallaudet University Regional Interpreter Education Center (GUREIC) interpreter mentoring project, and most recently he was a program advisor and the lead facilitator for the National Community of Practice for ASL/English Interpreters for the College of St. Catherine’s Graduation to Certification program in 2017-2018
He is also Certified Facilitator in the LEGO® Serious Play™methodology. In this capacity, he organizes facilitated sessions to adjust student group programming practices, mitigate program barriers that obstruct the participation of persons with disabilities in campus life.
Janine Sirignano (Performance Interpreter) is a freelance interpreter in metro Boston. She has interpreted numerous productions with Huntington Theatre Company, American Repertory Theater, Broadway In Boston, and the Boch Center. This production of MacBeth is her fifth summer with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, following performances of King Lear, Twelfth Night, The Tempest and Much Ado About Nothing on the Boston Common.
Ingrid O’Dell (Performance Interpreter) is thrilled to be part of the fantastic Macbeth access team as the ASL prompter! Ingrid has been involved in access teams at Open Door Theater, Harvard University, Broadway in Boston, Queen Mab, Wheelock Family Theater, and more. Ingrid is excited that her summers of Shakespeare Camp in middle school are finally paying off. Deepest gratitude to the team for their dedication, patience, and support. Love to Mom!
Amber Pearcy (Audio Description Consultant) has been a braille proofreader and transcriber for 11 years. In addition to her work providing braille materials to individuals of all ages, Amber is a consultant to arts organizations wishing to provide greater access for visitors and audiences who are blind/low vision. She provides staff and volunteer trainings to promote greater awareness and sensitivity of people with disabilities, as well as advises on issues includingaudio description, touch tours, and digital accessibility. She holds a Master of Science in arts administration from Boston University, and she is certified in literary braille transcription and proofreading by the Library of Congress.
Connor Riordan (Captions Assistant) is an actor, writer, and lover of Shakespeare who recently graduated from Harvard. Macbeth was his first ever Shakespeare play that he performed in and he couldn’t be happier to be a part of the team on this production. He hopes you enjoy the show!
