University of Akron - Tel Buch Yearbook (Akron, OH)

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Deaf people are not dumb, we have goals just like everyone else .. . ’ ■ Amy Marks 26 Student Life The Ballet Center has become Amy Marks’ home away from home.

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-it; k . ' -if ' V Alone again. Tommy Flowers, as played by senior Michael Stadvek, mourns the loss ol his friends in the production of “Where Has Tommy Flowers Gone?” Vivian Ross, played by Maria Corell, entertains local bar patrons in the wartorn 1940’s in “The Jazzer.”

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.World Of Silence Amy Marks’ dancing has message for nonhearing by Mary Beth Hanna In her silent world, Amy Marks, a gifted ballerina, moves eloquently across the stage doing what she loves most - communicating with her audience. Yet Amy’s expres¬ siveness conveys a message far greater than that of other dancers. What Amy wants her audience to understand is that, “deaf people are not dumb, we have goals and dreams just like everyone else . . . look at me, I can dance!” Yes she can. The winner of many competi¬ tions, the 20-year-old dance major at The University of Akron, is the leader of “The Performing Hands,” a duo put together to inform hear¬ ing people about the world of the nonhearing. Using dance, sign language, re¬ corded music and dialogue from various plays, “The Performing Hands” entertains and educates lo¬ cal audiences throughout North¬ eastern Ohio. Assisting Amy is her best friend of 12 years, Steve Le- land. The son of deaf parents, Steve, who is hearing, is an inter¬ preting major at Akron U. For Steve, relating to the nonhearing is normal and at times preferable. “Hearing impaired individuals are for the most part more open and honest,” he says. “They don’t hold anything back.” Amy must rely on the vibrations from music, precise counting and visual cues to guide her. Counting is her greatest resource, since when other dancers are also on stage, Amy is unable to feel vibrations of the music. Performing an average of 25 times per year, “The Performing Hands” takes its message to civic, public and school groups. “Everything we do in our performances is done to show the beauty and expressiveness of sign language,” Steve says. “You can communicate with the nonhearing, it’s not difficult.” Often, Amy and Steve perform for various deaf groups. “The hearing impaired do not have all the entertainment available to them that others do,” Steve says. “We try to give them something they can appreciate even more than hearing people.” Demonstrating to the deaf that they are capable of anything is a responsibility Amy takes seriously. “When I perform, or compete, I do so for the entire hearing impaired population. It’s a way for me to be an advocate for the nonhearing.” In the past four years, Amy has been an advocate at the International Creative Arts Festival in Chicago. In 1987, Amy won first place in the talent competition and also received a “Best of Show” award for her drama and dance performances. She was also recognized for her poetry entries. All her life, Amy’s willingness has led her to attain goals many would think unlikely. She has adjusted well to the college setting with the support of her parents and the assistance of Akron U’s Office of Handicapped Services. Today, Amy and Steve do just about everything together. They go to the movies and Steve signs the dialogue for Amy. He also suffers endless shopping sprees and keeps her with an unlimited supply of Reese peanut butter cups and french fries. Rehearsing several hours each day, Amy perfects her talent. Her hard work paid off in 1987 when she won first place in a talent competition in Chicago. Amy and her dance partner, Steve Leland, have been best friends for 12 years. They work together to inform hearing people about the world of the deaf. Amy Marks 27 Photos: Bob Wilkey