Author: Antoinette Abbamonte
Grade Level: K-8
Presentations: 3 sessions
Group size: K-2; 40 students; 45 minutes
3-5: no limitation on students; 1 hour
6-8: large group or assembly; 1 hour
Equipment needed: Sign Language Interpreter
(the FOTCL will pay for a sign language interpreter if needed)
Email: antoinetteabbamonte@yahoo.com / mermaidsignatures@icloud.com
Website: http://sbprabooks.com/AntoinetteAbbamonte
Other Info: Antoinette will bring along a box of Tree Wise books and autographs!
From the Author:
I am an accomplished actress (look me up on IMDB!) who wrote a book about a boy
who finds a unique way to explain the deaf culture to his classmates. My presentation
uses age-appropriate methods to do the same for students whose schools I visit.
For K-2, I do storytelling for younger students, and I invite them to bring their
favorite or security blankets and sit on the floor during my presentation.
For grades 3-5 I do a more detailed storytelling and I include a question-and-answer
period so students can better understand the deaf culture.
For grades 6-8, I share my story about growing up deaf – with deaf parents and a
deaf sibling, and what it’s like to now have a hearing husband and hearing children. I
also share the trials and tribulations of publishing a book with students and I also
include a question-and-answer period.
I look forward to sharing my story with you and your students!
Book:
Tree Wise: The Signing Branches
A delightful story about a boy who learns how to help his
new friend and classmates understand more about deaf
culture. A wise old tree helps teach sign language to the
children through games.
Colorful pictures and simple diagrams make it easy to
pick up sign language.
Click on the book cover to view some inside pages
Reviews:
Kristie Cain, elementary school teacher, sign language interpreter, and licensed marriage and
family therapist
The Signing Branches is a delightful story about a boy who learns how to help his new friend and classmates
understand more about deaf culture. A wise old tree teaches sign language to the children through games,
while colorful pictures and simple diagrams make it easy to pick up sign language. "Tree Wise teaches children
about diversity, friendship, empathy, and a bit of sign language. Antoinette captures an experience a Child of
Deaf Adults (CODA) may have growing up straddling the two cultures. Hold on to your heart, as you welcome
the characters brought to life through descriptive language and fun illustrations.
Sandy O'Dea, teacher
Your story provides a foundation for both hearing and deaf to come together ... the spirit of both worlds
colliding in the most natural state, human interaction, can only produce limitless opportunities for both hearing
and deaf cultures! A magnificent tribute to the human nature of interaction regardless!"
will and wil l
Deanne Bray, actor, TV series "Sue Thomas F.B.Eye"
Tree Wise is a delightful introduction into the world of deaf culture. It is an interesting adventure for both
hearing and deaf to find common ground for mutual understanding. Well done!
Internet Article:
Here’s an interview from About Health: Deafness by Jamie Berke
Updated May 10, 2011
Antoinette Abbamonte is a deaf actress who has appeared on television and in a web series (a web series
is an original program for the Internet). After becoming aware of Antoinette via the web series,
About.com Deafness interviewed her by email.
Q: How did you get into acting?
A: Since birth, I guess. I saw all the pictures of myself that my parents took and I noticed I learned how
to be a performer in front of the camera. I have the clip of myself when my brother, Carlo, was born and
was in the carriage, sound asleep. My dad was running video on him and I saw myself climbing over the
carriage because I wanted to be center stage in the video. I was signing to my 'deaf' dad "Shhh, he is
asleep." I looked so natural and believable. I was only 2.
At age 12, I played Lisa in The Sound of Music. I enjoyed it and remember feeling so good about myself.
I was using total communication language throughout the play (both sign and speech simultaneously
which is quite difficult). I received an award and was so flattered.
I began acting school when I was at Edward R. Murrow High School. I withdrew from the acting world at
times since I did not see a clear vision or role for myself as a child actor who happened to be deaf -until the day my cousin who was also deaf took me to the Broadway performance of Children of Lesser
God. I was so proud of Phyllis Frelich. I was thinking about her a lot after I saw the play. I was able to
believe in myself all over again. It was a great feeling of newfound confidence!
I applied for acting school at college while I was working full time at a bank. Then I applied for National
Theater of the Deaf (NTD) and was thrilled when they accepted me. I had to quit my job to go away for
the whole summer with NTD. Then, luckily, I was hired as a full time actor, instructor, director and writer
for Fairmount Theater of the Deaf (later Cleveland Sign Stage). The goal was to develop the cultural
bridge between the deaf and hearing communities. It worked well. I was able to direct plays and I wrote
a play called "Subway Tales." Remarkable experiences.
Q: What are the highlights of your acting career so far?
A: Laura Wingfield, "The Glass Menagerie"; Queen Margaret, "Richard III"; Betty, "Raising Hope" on Fox;
and Dewey, "The Vamps Next Door" web series. [This web series is closed captioned.]
Q: How would you describe your character Dewey?
A: Dewey is very smart and insightful. She works in the mainstream and overcomes many obstacles in
life. I can't say any more. I would want for you to watch! (Wink)
Q: How did you find out about this web series role?
A: Olivia Dunkley, whom I have worked with at acting workshops, and I met many casting directors.
She is fluent in ASL and would frequently stand up at workshops and say I will volunteer to interpret
for Antoinette. We became friends. She is a very talented and beautiful woman. She went for the
audition of "The Vamps Next Door" and the role was a deaf woman. Olivia suggested my name and
said I knew of someone who is talented and actually deaf. Phil Ramuno, the director and Laura Van
Scotter, writer, decided to develop a new character, Dewey.
Q: Given that this is a web series, how do you see your character developing over time?
A: I'm the actor so I would have the confidence of my writers to take the lead in that developing and
maturing of Dewey.
Q: Would you encourage other deaf actors to take roles on other web series?
A: It depends how much they can accomplish. Sure, I would encourage them to jump off the cliff and fly.
It does not matter if you win or not. If it doesn't succeed initially, stand up and do it again... keep trying
to move forward!
Q: Do you act only or do you have another job?
A: In the past during my 20's, I had no money. I had students coming to my studio paying me for
private American Sign Language (ASL) lessons to help feed myself and pay for my studio apartment.
I found a way to survive just like any other actor. (Antoinette is also actively advocating for hiring
more actors with disabilities.)
Q: Will you come back on "Raising Hope?" (On "Raising Hope," she played a deaf co-worker in
one scene in the episode "Meet the Grandparents.")
A: I am hoping to come back on "Raising Hope." Betty is a great role. I believe it would help to reach
others as a role model. Speaking [as] a deaf person who can work out there in the real world. Helping
the employers hire more employees who are deaf.
It was awesome. They [came] to me and said thank you for being part of this scene. The director, Jace
Alexander, was well aware of working with me as a deaf [actress] but I didn’t see him limiting my work.
I saw him believing in me. That was important for me to see that. I have always wanted to see people
looking at my talents, not my ears!
I will go
Q: Tell me about "Beyond Essays," the film you had a role in?
A: "Beyond Essays" made it into the Deaf Film Festival of 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden. It is at
http://www.dovfilmfestival.nu. You can find the English link in the navigation. The film isn't shown
on there yet, but it will be updated soon.
Q: What is your children's book "Tree Wise" about?
A: Here is the synopsis of my "Tree Wise" book: It's a delightful story about a boy who learns how to
help his new friend and classmates understand more about deaf culture. A wise old tree teaches sign
language to the children through games. Colorful pictures and simple diagrams make it easy to pick
up sign language.
My book was published but then the publishing company was a victim of the economy and closed down.
The manuscript is complete and is presently being submitted to new publishers.
"Tree Wise" was adapted into a play by the National Theatre of the Deaf from 2008 to 2010. The Artistic
Director for NTD very much appreciated producing the "Tree Wise" play, and said it was successful
throughout their tour of the schools all along the East Coast.
Q: You wrote a solo play. What is it about?
A: "Cliterally Speaking." It is about the journey of my life. Being a woman, being deaf, growing up in
Brooklyn and much more. There are some points in the story that have comic relief, as if you ride on
a roller coaster.
Biography:
Professional actor Antoinette Abbamonte also delves into writing. She just completed another
children's book titled My Triangle Vacation. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, to a deaf
family, the author enjoys working with children and offers theater workshops for schools. She
has a very loving family, and her husband and two young children provide plenty of support
and inspiration. She believes that life is an adventure! Her book applies to different cultures
and not just the deaf culture. "It's all about how we understand, celebrate, and appreciate our
differences."
© 2015 by The Friends of the Children’s Library of Huntington Beach, CA