Jasper Norman is a DeafBlind Latino. He is the first generation American-born from South America. He has also worked as a Protactile (PT) Trainer since 2013. He traveled in the USA and internationally to provide PT trainings and presentations related to the PT language itself and supports PT inclusion on international cultures to educate the world. He completed his PT Training at Tactile Communications, (Tc) LLC in Seattle, WA on October 23, 2017.
Jasper has a great love for acting and he has been involved in school plays throughout his school years. He acted a role in a play that fundraised money for ADWAS,, (Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services). He realized that being a DeafBlind actor presents some challenges however, he did not let that stop him from acting and that inspired the idea to establish a theatre that is solely entertained through touch. Thus, he co-founded Protactile Theatre (PTT) on October 23, 2017. With the PTT Team, he successfully co-facilitated Protactile Theatre Institute (PTTI) which was funded by the NEA grant for the “Romeo & Juliet” pt play on August 3, 2018.
PTT was originally a community project that was a part of Tactile Communications’ requirements prior to his PT Training completion which he never thought that it would turn into something bigger and become a sought after entertainment, especially among the DeafBlind Community.
Yashaira “Yash” Romilus is a DeafBlind Latina, born and raised in West Chester, PA. She is the only DeafBlind person in a hearing family and she is fluent in several languages. She mainstreamed until she graduated high school. As a student at Gallaudet University (Class of 2010), she participated in diverse organizations and experienced various stage spotlights. Her biggest acting role was in a musical theatre as a Deafblind actress for the wife of Andrew Foster with Invisible Hands, Inc.
Yash has always been a strong advocate in the DeafBlind communities then later enhanced her skills in the Protactle (PT) language through socials, events & trainings since 2014. She co-founded Protactle Theatre (PTT) with Jasper Norman on October 20, 2017 then completed her PT Training at Tactile Communications (Tc), LLC on October 23, 2017 in Seattle, WA. Yash is currently recognized nationally for her PT skills in training and mentorship for Deafblind clients and interpreters. She also travels in the USA and internationally for presentations at different conferences to spread the awareness of the Protactile language and its impacts on the DeafBlind BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) identities.
PTT translated “The Gift of the Magi” into PT which brought a new perspective in theatre arts. Yash co-facilitated and shared PTT’s work with Protactle Theatre Institute (PTTI) which was funded by the NEA grant to produce a documentary film of the pt play’s version of “Romeo & Juliet” on August 3, 2018. Yash hopes PTT will continue to transcend its profound electric sense of shared touch space with many DeafBlind communities to break down many barriers.
Victoria “Vicky” Magliocchino grew up in Thornwood, New York, attending New York School for the Deaf (NYSD) in White Plains for 14 years. She was involved in leadership training through Junior National Association of the Deaf (Jr. NAD). Vicky acquired B.A. in English from Gallaudet in 1979 and M.A. in Deaf Education from Western Maryland College in 1982. While at Gallaudet, she was active in Student Body Government (SBG) and other organizations, such as Phi Kappa Zeta. She spent her senior year as Gallaudet’s Tower Clock Yearbook Editor-in-Chief. Vicky taught High School English in the Deaf Department at Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind for 35 years and retired in 2014.
Vicky participated in popular variety shows at Fanwood (NYSD) and in a full production, “Ah, Wilderness” at Gallaudet. She wrote scripts and directed school plays at FSDB. She was first immersed in the PT movement when she was invited to participate in the PT Theatre Institute in Seattle. Vicky, then a Tc student, acted along with Yash Romilus and Jasper Norman in the Tc Play honoring Tc’s 5th anniversary.
Vicky wrote PT Play scripts for “You Are Scrooge,” “Monkey’s Paw,” and “Your Are Peter Pan.” She has a strong desire to help spread PT philosophy through PT Theatre.