Faculty Advisor: Dr. Robert F. Panara
Advisor: David Hagan
Founders: Dr. Robert F. Panara and Chuck Baird.
Winter 1969
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Spring 1970
Footlight Fever Drama Night and the Marriage Proposal (Webb Auditorium)
The Silent Stage (Ingle Auditorium)
Highlights of 1970
According to The Past is Prologue by Dr. Robert F. Panara, the NTID Drama Club originated as an experimental initiative in the fall of 1969. This endeavor was the result of a collaborative effort between the Vestibule English Department and the Division of Student Affairs, aiming to create extracurricular opportunities in theater arts for interested NTID students. To generate enthusiasm and provide expert guidance, Mr. Bernard Bragg of the National Theatre of the Deaf was invited to NTID to participate in the club's inaugural production and lead a series of workshops.
Fittingly titled An Experiment in Dramatics, the club’s first production marked its introduction to the world of performance. It was staged at Ingle Auditorium, RIT, on November 20, 1969. The first half of the event featured a student variety show, while the second half showcased a performance by Bernard Bragg, who demonstrated various acting techniques, including pantomime and sign-mime. More than 25 NTID students participated in this pioneering production. The event, which was offered free of charge, attracted an audience of approximately 350 people from RIT/NTID, the Rochester School for the Deaf, and the local community. The following day, Mr. Bragg led two drama workshops, both of which were well attended by NTID students.
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