The UT Center on Deafness will host actor, storyteller and poet Jer L. Loudenback on Thursday, Feb. 8, and Friday, Feb. 9.

Thursday morning, Loudenback will be at the Tennessee School for the Deaf, where he will do storytelling and act exclusively for the students. At 7 p.m., Loudenback's "Stories from the Deaf Side" will be presented in the TSD auditorium.  This event is free to the public and will include voice interpretation. 

As a deaf man who made the decision for to get cochlear implants for himself and his two sons, Loudenback will discuss how this decision has affected his life and family. He will also perform stories, vignettes and poetry associated with deaf culture. 

At 9 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, Loudenback will be in Claxton Addition 428 to present "Teachers, Terps, and Trends," a voice-interpreted series of stories and vignettes.

Interpreting students, deaf education majors and any other interested individuals are encouraged to attend.

Friday afternoon, Loudenback will visit the Lab Theatre for "A Deaf Actor's Look at the Craft," where he will address questions about acting and his past with the National Theatre of the Deaf.  All of these performances are sponsored by a Ready for the World grant from the University of Tennessee, Office of the Chancellor. 

M. Lynn Wollsey, director of the Center on Deafness, has nothing but praise for Loudenback, stating, "If you've taken a sign language class you may recognize this famous Deaf actor. Jer L. Loudenback's character, Dennis Bravo, is memorable, endearing and funny. If you haven't seen the videotape, join us at one of the events and become mesmerized by Jer's ability to capture sound in sign. A visual treat for everyone, Mr. Loudenback's energy and powerful images will make you think you do know sign (at least for an evening.)"