ASL You're the Critic people

Chuck Baird

Attended deaf residential school and found a passion for painting. Artwork reflected deafness; wanted artwork to empower/educate and promote appreciation for the deaf community. Set designer for National Theater of the Deaf.

Nancy Rourke

Strong advocate for De’VIA (Deaf View/Image Art) and promotes visibility and awareness of deaf culture. Didn’t learn ASL until attended RIT, where she earned a degree in graphic design and painting. Artwork known for its incorporation of signs and hands and bold usage of color and lines; art strives to challenge deaf stereotypes.

Troy Kostur

Accomplished actor; on screen known for his emotion and storytelling, off screen raises awareness for deaf people in the arts. Has won several awards; first deaf male to receive an academy award for his performance in Coda.

Lauren Ridloff

Actress, teacher, and former Miss Deaf America. Known for role in broadway production of Children of a Lesser God and TV show The Walking Dead. Born deaf to hearing parents and mainstreamed most of her life. Attended Model Secondary School for the Deaf and found her identity as a deaf individual. First deaf superhero in Marvel’s The Eternals.

Mandy Harvey

Got a golden buzzer on America’s Got Talent, but lost her hearing at 18 due to a connective tissue disease. She briefly gave up on music after her hearing loss, but used visual turners to get back into it. She got fourth place on AGT and released five albums.

Sean Forbes

First deaf artist to hit the charts. His 2020 album hit number 1 for hip hop sales nationwide 1 week after being released. Became deaf at a few months old but got into music at a young age (family). Got a degree from NTID and was a cofounder of D-PAN (music videos w/performances by interpreters)

Warren “Wawa” Snipe

Deaf rapper, dancer, and performer. Appeared in television and films w/skills. Most famous performance is 2021 Superbowl Star Spangled Banner and 2022 w/Sean Forbes. Loves Dip-Hop (about deaf life)

Matt Maxey

Deaf musical interpreter known for performances alongside Chance the Rapper. Founded DEAFinitely Dope in 2014. Speaks out as a black deaf male.