Upcoming production of ‘Mary Poppins’ in Sheboygan will have all actors use sign language

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (CBS 58) – In the hit musical ‘Mary Poppins,’ the beloved nanny to the Banks family opens up a world of possibilities through song and dance.

The Sheboygan Theatre Company is aiming to expand the experience of the classic story for the deaf Community.

In an upcoming performance of the show, the actors will use American Sign Language throughout the choreography and spoken dialogue instead of having just a single interpreter.

“I hope that it shows the Deaf Community that the theater needs them and that there’s a space for them on stage,” said Zachariah Stearn, the director of the production.

Stearn’s mother is deaf and sign language was his first language. He moved to Wisconsin recently from Maine and has spent years acting and directing. Stearn said when his mother would attend his performances, she would often be forced to limit her experience.

“I’ve worked at a lot of theater companies and have tried to make sure that there were interpreted performances, mostly so my mom could come,” Stearn said. “She’s either looking at me on stage or she’s looking to the side for the interpreters. It can be kind of a difficult experience when you are switching back and forth.”

Kristin Sorenson is portraying Mary Poppins in the upcoming production. She is an elementary school music teacher when she’s not performing. Sorenson, and many other members of the cast, had no experience with American Sign Language before she was cast as the title role.

“Sometimes I feel like my brain is thinking about four or five different things at once,” Sorenson said. “Everybody was on board from the beginning and has really embraced this.”

A performance with each actor using American Sign Language was new

for the theater in Sheboygan that’s celebrating 91 seasons on the stage this year.

“When you come to the theater, you are watching stories unfold that connect everybody in a humanistic way. What a cool opportunity to draw in people who maybe have never had that experience before,” said Tricia Roberts, the Executive Director of the Sheboygan Theater Company.”

As Mary Poppins takes the Banks children on many memorable adventures in the musical, the cast hopes it will help new audiences learn about the magic of the theater.

“Hopefully it inspires them to want to participate and join our theatre community here in a way they felt wasn't accessible before,” Stearn said.

The show runs through October 5. Tickets are available here.