Adult Education

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Dear Parents, Members, and Patrons of our Adult Basic Sign Language Classes, 

Currently, all education classes and activities are suspended. There are just too many unknowns, and we did not feel that we could guarantee the safety and well-being of patrons and members during these uncertain times.

With that being said, please know that you are not forgotten. When it is deemed safe once again, Wheaton Drama will reopen its doors and offer our usual set of classes. We hope to even expand our adult education program.

In the meantime if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out. Together we will get through this.

Sincerely,

Elyse Willis
Education Governor
Wheaton Drama
wdieducation@gmail.com

SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES

Basic Sign Language Level 2 

“Learn to communicate in Sign Language. The manual alphabet and number system will be taught within a basic everyday vocabulary approach. Come and immerse yourself in the beautiful language and culture of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community.” Please note that you MUST have taken level 1 in order to qualify to take level 2.

Who: All Adults age 18 and up

When: Pick one class session that works better for you (either Mondays or Saturdays)

Mondays: TBD, with Patti Shore Kaden as instructor

OR

Saturdays: TBD, with Gretchen Gannon as instructor

Cost: $60 member / $80 non member (class fees will help offset the sign language interpretation fees for the performances for the upcoming season at Wheaton Drama)

Note: The class will not run with less than 6 participants. If we do not reach the minimum number of participants by Date TBD, all those we are registered will be notified and refunded their fee. In order to keep class sizes down, there are only 15 slots for participants for each class. It will be on first come first serve. So sign up early to get the time slot that you wish.

Instructors:

Patti Shore Kaden

Sign Language Interpreter and teacher for over 30 years. Patti spends most of her time working in  educational interpreting, supervising interpreter services for DuPage County. Her other interpreting passion can be seen on stage in the theatre and entertainment venues.

Gretchen Gannon

Deaf since birth, Gretchen completed college with a B.S. degree in Growth and Development of Children. As a Certified Child Life Specialist, she has worked over 25 years in a hospital for both deaf/HH and hearing children.   Currently, she cares for a beautiful deaf young adult with Down Syndrome. Gretchen is also a part time ASL instructor at Moraine Valley Community College.  Gretchen has since returned to theatre with hopes to also educate and incorporate deaf culture in the theatrical world.

WDI is currently working to expand our adult education program. Our goal is start with technical theatre to teach our members and other community members about the world of technical theatre so that we can increase our participation in this field. If you would be willing to teach a class, have a suggestion for a class that you would like to take or know someone who we should reach out to about assisting with this task please let us know.

Contact Elyse Willis with all inquiries at wdieducation@wheatondrama.org or call 630.260.1820 and leave a message about registration.

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