Michele Guyette: Increasing accessibility through ASL interpreting at Overture Center
Eliana Wasserman
Michele Guyette’s career as an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter spans over four decades. It began with her ASL education at Gallaudet College and continued with her work as a teacher at the School for the Deaf in Riverside, Calif. She later taught high school ASL in Madison and has since interpreted performances at Overture Center. Through her interpreting, Guyette ensures that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals can enjoy theater and live performances alongside hearing guests.
ASL at Overture Center
Guyette’s involvement with Overture Center began in the late 1980s when she was recruited to interpret for performances at the Civic Center. She started as an interpreter for Kids in the Crossroads, then Kids in the Rotunda and Duck Soup Cinema.
She particularly enjoys the opportunity to interpret for the younger audience members at Kids in the Rotunda, where deaf children can be engaged in the programming alongside hearing kids and families.
“Overture Center does a fantastic job of welcoming people who are deaf and hard of hearing,” Guyette says.
Interpreting Emotion and Humor
Guyette prepares meticulously for each performance, reviewing scripts and working closely with fellow interpreters to ensure the emotional nuance of each show is captured. Guyette says that interpreting comedy is one of the most challenging aspects of her work, as ASL often cannot convey wordplay or jokes directly.
“Often there will be a joke that the hearing people are laughing at, and the deaf look at me like ‘why is that funny?’ So I try to sign the explanation of why it’s funny and explain the play on words” Guyette says, reflecting on her work with the Duck Soup Cinema performances, where Master of Ceremonies Joe Thompson’s jokes often require extra attention to ensure the deaf audience gets the punchline.
Why Accessibility Matters
Guyette’s passion for her work is driven by her belief in accessibility for all.
"Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals have the right to enjoy live performances just like anyone else," she says. Overture’s commitment to providing ASL interpreters for shows has allowed Guyette to help bridge the gap for many in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, offering them the opportunity to enjoy the arts without barriers.
The Impact of Accessibility
Guyette has seen firsthand how efforts to include sign language interpretation in programming have shaped attitudes toward ASL in the community. She shares how, in the past, many parents discouraged their deaf children from using ASL in favor of lip-reading.
"Now, kids see sign language as something normal and cool," Guyette notes. "Overture’s inclusion of ASL in their shows helps normalize the language for future generations, making it more accepted in the wider community."
Guyette is a huge fan of musical theater, and interpreting for shows like “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Les Misérables” was especially fun for her. Not only did she love the music, but she also enjoyed working with her co-interpreter on those shows. One of her dream shows to interpret is “Wicked.”
The Power of Connection
Guyette’s work at Overture Center is a testament to the transformative power of the arts and the importance of accessibility. By ensuring that every guest—regardless of hearing ability—can experience the magic of live performances, Guyette and Overture Center are making a lasting impact on the community, creating an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome.