Date of Award
5-14-2026
Document Type
Thesis
First Advisor
Annie Wiegand
Second Advisor
Kristen Harmon
Third Advisor
Sharon Pajka
Abstract
This creative writing capstone project presents A Weeping Willow, an original play script that explores themes of resilience, mental health, human connections, and acceptance. A teenager wakes up with no memory of the past year. Through fragmented glimpses of the past and the future, he struggles to piece together what happened on the most important day of his life. The play does not revolve around a Deaf-thematic storyline, a story that highlights the auditory aspects of the Deaf experience. This play is influenced by a study of scripts written by Deaf playwrights or plays featuring Deaf characters. This research examines recurring symbolism, plot structures, and character archetypes, providing insight into how Deaf playwrights create narratives and develop their characters. By identifying these patterns, the project aims to incorporate authentic storytelling techniques while maintaining a unique and original narrative. These findings impact the development of A Weeping Willow, ensuring that the script reflects nuanced representation without being confined to a strictly Deaf narrative. The final outcome of this project is a fully developed script, with the potential for staged readings or a full production. This work contributes to the evolving field of theatre by telling a new story while maintaining a universal appeal.
Recommended Citation
Furzland, Tyler, "A Weeping Willow, An Original Script Enriching the Canon of Deaf Plays" (2026). Undergraduate University Honors Capstones. 141.
https://ida.gallaudet.edu/honors_capstones/141
Comments
This capstone resulted in a creative product. As a result, due to the request of the author, the creative product has been removed from this capstone.