This program originally aired on Thursday, May 2nd at 12:30pm Eastern.
Julie Salamon (New York Times bestselling author) sat down with Lauren Ridloff to discuss her work on stage and in film, life as a teacher and mother, how she feels about deaf representation in media, and goals for the future. Lauren is known for her roles in the TV series The Walking Dead and the film Eternals; where she appeared as the first deaf Marvel Superhero. In 2020 she received the SAG-AFTRA Harold Russell Award and a BAFTA for Breakthrough performer. Lauren has a masters degree in education and was a New York City public school teacher for 9 years before being cast in the Broadway revival of Children of a Lesser God for which she earned a Tony nomination. Lauren talks about the choice she made at 13 years old to turn off her voice and to primarily communicate via sign language, and the courage it took to turn her voice back on for Children of a Lesser God. She spoke about her intersectional identity: Mexican and Black heritage, her conversion to Judaism, her deaf community and support system. Lauren shared how important it is to her to raise curious children in a foundation of community and support, and is working on writing her own children’s book.
Topics covered in this program: Kenny Leon, Broadway actors, Marvel character Makkari, Douglas Ridloff, connecting to Jewish Seder, working as a deaf actor, education, literature and writing.
