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This COVID-19 quarantine is certainly a complicated time for everyone, but that didn't stop Garrett from co-founding a new company - Deaf Broadway - focused on providing visual access to popular and beloved Broadway productions by utilizing Deaf talent. Its explosive success is keeping Garrett quite busy and he looks forward to seeing what the future has in store for this exciting new form of access created by the Deaf, for the Deaf.
For more information, please visit the website. |
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Garrett is officially enrolled in the Hunter College Playwriting MFA program, set to begin in autumn of 2020, and could not be more thrilled. It goes without saying that he's really looking forward to further honing his skills as a professional playwright, making more artistic connections, and helping create more visibility, awareness, and opportunities for Deaf artists.
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In February of 2020, Garrett and his creative partner Jared Johnston won the KissFist 72-Hour Film Challenge by making a short film in one weekend, start to finish, entirely in American Sign Language (ASL).
Seen to the left, the film itself - based on the given prompts and required criteria - was written by Garrett in one hour on Friday night, filmed over a few hours on Saturday by Jared, and completed in post-production on Sunday. Eventually, it will be featured at the Seattle Deaf Film Festival. |
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Garrett's short film Flirting, with Possibilities is currently in post-production. In addition to writing and directing, he stars alongside Broadway talent such as Jason Tam (A Chorus Line, If/Then), Tom Berklund (A Chorus Line, The Addams Family, Gary), Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Beauty & the Beast, Mary Poppins, Tuck Everlasting) and Jared Johnston (RENT). This past December, a brand new version of the Hammerstein and Kern classic "The Song is You" was recorded exclusively for the film, specially arranged by Adam Wachter (Disney+ Encores) as a duet for Jason and Tom. In addition to producing this song, Adam will be composing an original score for the film.
Flirting, with Possibilities film is the inaugural production for Garrett's new company, Lake Five Productions LLC. |
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In autumn of 2015, Garrett had planned to direct A. R. Gurney's SYLVIA for New York Deaf Theatre when - literally hours before the auditions - the Broadway production was announced, which meant that the rights vanished before their eyes.
Four years later, Garrett's original vision finally bore fruit and he was thrilled and honored to bring the work to life with an tremendous cast including the astounding Amelia Hensley (Deaf West's Spring Awakening on Broadway). What made it even more meaningful was the fact that, four years ago, Garrett didn't have a dog. This time around, he did and she became the poster girl. That's his Page to the left, beautifully photographed by Jon Taylor. |
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Garrett's one-act play, A BAG OF SAND AT APPLEBEE'S, was part of Phamaly Theatre Company's Come to Your Senses one-act play festival in Denver, Colorado from November 1-10, 2019.
Fortunately, he was able to make it out to see the show - which was fantastic, in case you were wondering - and catch up with many of his dear friends from CABARET. |
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And that's not all! Stay tuned for updates, including the progress of Garrett's brand new play, PRIVILEGE.