Luane Davis Haggerty

Luane Davis Haggerty, Ph.D

Tel: (585) 820-7902;  Email: LuaneHaggerty.dh@gmail.com

Higher Education Experience:

Rochester Institute of Technology, National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Rochester, NY

Principal Lecturer, since 1989

• Teaching Performing Arts, Literature, Writing, Social Sciences to Deaf and hearing college students, 4 courses per semester. Courses include: Acting I & II, Arts Administration, Sign Mime and Visual Studies, Themes and Symbols in Literature, Exploring Literature, Dramatic Literature, Introduction to Social Science, Academic Writing III
• Directing one large scale (500 seat theater – up to 60 in a cast) and one small scale (99 seats 10-20 per cast) show per year
• Directing a touring group “Dangerous Signs” an ASL poetry and performance group with audiences ranging from America’s Got Talent, to New York City showcases, to educational performances for all ages and in collaboration with other universities. Handling all logistics as well as usual artistic directorial duties
• Committee work with NTID Faculty Congress, various search committees, Curriculum Committees, Creative Engaged Storytelling, Division of Diversity and Inclusion,
• In collaboration with other university units, organize events to engage students and faculty
• Letters of recommendation for faculty, staff and students.
• Work with administration and faculty in the renovation of new facilities including a complete renovation of the department’s rehearsal, construction, costuming, offices, theater and classroom spaces.

Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, NY

Professor of Theater 2005-2007

• Created all material for a Theater minor (which is currently still running)
• Coordinated communication between administration and the New York State of Accreditation Board
• Teaching all Performing Arts courses, Introduction to theater, Acting I & II, Directing, Playwriting
• Directed one large scale (450 seats – up to 60 per cast) and one small scale showcase piece by the acting students – ranging from children’s theater pieces to musical theater performances to classic monologue presentations

Theatre Related Administrative work:

IRT Theater, New York City

Co-Founder and Artistic Director 1982-1998

• Engage federal, state and local funding agencies to advocate for policy/legislation and secure funding
• Direct spending and setting a yearly budget in cooperation with the Board of Directors
• Assisting Development officers on fund raising and grants
• Oversight of branding, advertising and office staffing
• Create and oversee a season of three touring and two professional showcase productions
• Assist with workshops, showcases and development of new works
• Direct a minimum of one production yearly
• Assist with contracts and ensure oversight of employee disruptions
• Engage with legal matters pertaining to Diversity and Inclusion, ADA accommodations and requirements and copyright issues.

GEVA Theater Rochester, NY

Access Coordinator, since 1999

• Hiring and assessing American Sign Language Interpreters and Directors of American Sign Language.
• Advising on captioning and ADA compliance
• Working with The FONT (First original new theater – playwrighting) program
• Assisting with casting for Deaf performers
• Workshops for staff on Diversity and Inclusion
• Sensitivity training

StageHands, Rochester NY

Founder, Theater Interpreter Collective since 2008

• Coordinate local theaters and interpreters wanting to comply with accessibility and interpreted performance
• Provide workshops and lectures on Theatrical interpreting and how to attract Deaf audiences
• Engage the community in events pertaining to diversity, inclusion and accessibility

Dangerous Signs Rochester NY

Co-Founder, and Principle Director

• Engage with local granting organization to secure funding
• Organize oversee and train logistics and booking staff
• Create and compile performance pieces for Deaf and hearing performers
• Casting, rehearsal and direction of all aspects of production (transportation, lodging, costumes, set, etc.)

• Rochester Fringe Festival, since 2019
• St Ann’s Church for the Deaf (first Deaf Church established in America), since 2020
• PUSH Physical Theater, since 2023
• Shakespeare Players, since 2005

Other Theater Related work:

• SAG/AFTRA screener for yearly SAG Awards, active performer in the union
• AEA Equity performer, active in musical theater, classics and concert work
• Dramatists Guild writer, 4 test books on theater, and archival document for IRT Theater, 9 plays (one of which was nominated for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize)
• Registry of Interpreter for the Deaf RID, professional interpreter focusing on theatrical work

Education:

• Ph.D. Leadership and Change in the Arts, Antioch University (Yellow Spring OH), 2006
• Master of Arts Administration, Goddard College (Plainfield, VT), 1993
• Bachelor (Music/Drama) Hunter College (Manhattan 1983

Additional Certification and Training:

• Julliard Stage Interpretation Program, a division of the American Theater Wing, focused on Theatrical ASL Interpreting
• New York Society for the Deaf Interpreter Training Program
• STEPS, Finis Yung, Brenda Buffalino, (dance)
• Carmel Harris, Kelly MacDonald (at Julliard School) (voice)
• Stella Adler, Uta Hagan Techniques, Francious Delsarte

Awards and Recognitions:

• Essie Calhoun Diversity in the Arts Award, GEVA Theater Rochester NY
• Ambassador of Goodwill, Tsuba University Tokyo Japan, PEN International
• Distinguished Public Service Award, RIT Four President’s Award
• RIT/NTID Humanitarian Award
• OOBR Award, Best Direction, “Emperor Jones
• Kennedy Center College Theater Award, Best Direction, “Fences
• Rochester City newspaper best direction, “Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Little Shop of Horrors”
• Broadway World Innovation Award (During 2020 Covid shut downs) video production of “Spoon River Anthology