SoCal Stories | With a Cause - Bernard Bragg - Convo

These stories tell us of struggle, tears, joy, and triumph. Together, we can make a better future.

TRANSCRIPT |

BERNARD: I had read in the newspaper... of a world-famous French mimer by the name of Marcel Marceau. He came to San Francisco for his first tour in America. When he had arrived to San Francisco, I, of course, hurried after my teaching to drive there. It was rainy that day. I parked a few blocks away from the show. I entered the building and sat high on the balcony. It was packed with many people. When the curtains were raised, Marcel Marceau appeared on the stage. That was it. I fell in love. I watched the show in awe, and then when it was finished, people started leaving. I remained in my seat upon this balcony until I was the only person in this vast theater house.

I sat musing, "If this man, Marceau, could perform for two hours without saying one word... then why couldn't I?" When I left that theater house, I found that it was still raining out. My car was parked about 3 or 4 blocks away, so I couldn't very well run to my car without getting soaked. I stood there in thought while it still rained. I looked over to an overhang connected to an alley that led to the backstage. I thought to myself, "Why not just try and have a look there? Maybe you'll bump into Marceau?" There were two roads to take. One was out into the rain, and the other was the alley. I stood at this fork deciding. Guess which road I took? Of course, it was the one to the backstage.

I approached to try the door. It was open, and to my surprise, no one was guarding it. I walked through to see Marceau pacing the stage. He was resting before his next show for the evening. He caught me staring at him, and spoke to me. I gestured to him that I was Deaf, and offered to communicate through writing. And then he beckoned me to walk with him. So that's how I met Marceau. I told him that I wished I could study miming intensively. I asked where I could learn? He replied, asking if I really were interested. I told him yes! He then asked me to perform for him, right on the spot. I thought, what? Me? Okay. I took off my tie and jacket and proceeded to do different mimes. I had already done some before, so I knew what to do for him. He sat watching me curiously, as I mimed and mimed. After I was done, he wrote on a piece of paper- that I had with me until I donated it to Gallaudet Archives- which read, "I like what I saw, I invite you to Paris in the summer time." I accepted his invitation. He said it was at no charge. What? It was truly a big honor for me.

I was the only Deaf person to become a professional actor. Before long, others started appearing one by one. It opened the doors. In this certain class, I taught, mimed, and did other things like acting. When it was finished, all the had kids left, and I was surprised to see Marlee sitting patiently. I asked her if she didn't want to leave, but would rather stay instead? Or what? She laughed and said, "I have a question." "Oh. What's the question?" Uncertain, she asked, "Can I become an actress?" "Why not?! Just do it!" Sure enough, a few years later, she won an Oscar with a proud smile. I was shocked. Most of the credit goes to Marlee for opening a lot of doors for the Deaf who want to become actors.

Life has many different roads. You choose the right road, and continue down on it. Take the one less traveled by. Pick the less traveled one. That's what I did. When I came out of that theater house where I watched Marceau's show, I stood before the rain. And beside me, the alley to the backstage door. Which do I choose? Do I go to the car and go home? But I did not. I went to the backstage door... and it made all the difference in the world.