Mid 1800s to mid 1900s
Literary circles, Deaf clubs, and Deaf grassroots community theatre groups put on variety shows and other performances.

Video: Robert Panara discusses the origins of Deaf Theatre
Text Summary

Late 1800s
Gallaudet establishes Ballard Literary Society, OWLS Women's Literary Society, The Saturday Night Club and Jollity Club which include dramatic entertainments.

1911
"Gallaudet and His School" by J. Schuyler Long put on in Omaha, Nebraska for Mid-Western Gallaudet College Alumni Association Meeting.

1930's
Deaf Theatre in the 1930's:

Video: Wolf Bragg and the
Hebrew Association of the Deaf
Text Summary

1939
Illinois School for the Deaf puts on
production which includes "The Deaf
Through the Ages"

1967
National Theatre of the Deaf (NTD) founded.

1970's
Deaf Theatre in the 1970's:

Video: Robert Panara discusses Deaf plays

1971-1972
NTD tours "My Third Eye" (which
includes "Side Show" and "Promenade").

1972
NTID Experimental Theatre: "And Gladly Teach" adapted by Robert F. Panara.

1973
"Trouble's Just Beginning: A Play of Our Own"
by Dorothy Miles
"Sign Me Alice" by Gilbert Eastman.

Video: Gilbert Eastman
discusses "Sign Me Alice"

1975-1976
NTD tours "Parade".

1975
Fairmount Theatre of the Deaf founded [now Cleveland Signstage Theatre] NTID students create and perform "The Wall: An Original Play About the Deaf Experience".

1976
"Sign Language Theatre Deaf Theatre: New Definitions and Directions" (publication by Dot Miles and Lou Fant).
"Laurent Clerc: A Profile by Gilbert Eastman".
NTID Presents "Signs of the Times: A Play about Deaf Americans".
Fairmount Theatre presents "Alice in Deafinity".

1978
Deaf Playwrights Conference: O'Neill Theatre Center.

1979
"Children of a Lesser God" by
Mark Medoff (play opened on
Broadway in 1980).

1980-1981
"Interview with God" by Paul Johnston and NTID
Theatre cast

1980
"Tales from a Clubroom" by Bernard Bragg and Eugene Bergman.
"That Makes Two of Us" by Bernard Bragg
"CHALB" Productions created (Alan Barwiolek and Charlie McKinney)

1986
"The World According to Pat" performed at the NSSLRT Conference
Flying Words Project formed (Peter Cook and Kenny Lerner).

1988
"The Deaf Mute Howls" adapted and performed by Bruce Hlibok
"Develop, Divide, Destroy" by Stephen Baldwin

1990's
Several Deaf plays written and produced as well as several Deaf theatre companies formed:

• Deaf West Theatre
• LIGHTS ON! Deaf Theatre
• SignRise Theatre
• NY Deaf Theatre

1990
"Obstacle" by Stephen Baldwin
"The Hearing Test" by Willy Conley
"Broken Spokes" by Willy Conley
"I Didn't Hear that Color" by Bob Daniels

1993
"Unveiling the Rock" One-Woman Show by Terrylene
"Meta" by Patti Durr
"The Week the World Heard Gallaudet" by Thomas K. Holcomb
"Institution Blues" by Don Bangs and Jan DeLap

1994
First National and Worldwide Deaf Theatre Conference
"Side by Side" by Thomas K. Holcomb
"Deaf Family Diary" by Don Bangs

1995
"Hear No Scream" by Thomas K. Holcomb
"Lily Loves Charlie, OK?" The Municipal
Light Theatre "Counterfeits" by Shanny Mow

1996
American Deaf Play Creators Festival, NTID

"Whispers of a Savage Sort" by Raymond Luczak

1998
American Deaf Play Creators Festival, NTID

2000
"Vignettes of the Deaf Character" by Willy Conley

2001-2002
NTD presents "Profile of a Deaf Peddler."

2001
"Road to Revolution" by Mark Medoff

2002
Deaf Way II Conference in Washington, DC: A number of international Deaf Theatrical Performances

2003
"25 Cents" by Aaron Weir Kelstone

2004
"What are you...Deaf?" Created and performed by CJ Jones
"In the Now" Created and performed by Terrylene

2005
"Reflections of a Black Deaf Woman" Created and performed by Michele Banks

2006
"Directions: Where Are We Going From Here?" by Pax McCarthy

2007
"This Island Alone" by Adrian Blue and Catherine Rush

2010-2011
NTD presents "Journeys of Identity" by Garrett Zuercher

2011
NTD presents "Journeys of Identity" by Garrett Zuercher