Jo-Ann Dean
Broadway SIGNs! CEO/Founder Jo-Ann Dean created the NYC production to promote American Sign Language (ASL), Deaf Artists and Broadway talent on stage, in performing arts and dance for Off Broadway and Cabarets. The cabaret is a perfect art form for Deaf artists to directly connect with audiences as our production is fully accessible in English and ASL. All performances are created and performed by the Deaf Artists. Russell Harvard (To Kill a Mockingbird, King Lear, Spring Awakening Broadway Revival) first approached Dean to produce his one-man show. Together they sought a venue and started with musical cabarets, pre/post pandemic at The Triad Theater Off-Broadway.
Russell Harvard’s From the Ground Up debuted at 54 Below again to a sold out house produced by Dean’s Broadway SIGNs! Clips of Russell’s stellar musical performances appeared in the Emmy Award-winning Fox 5 News Entertainment Special, Breaking a Sound Barrier, with Newscaster Chris Welch. Frank DiLella’s On Stage NY1 featured Broadway SIGNs! Pick of the Week “a must see ASL Musical cabaret.” Dean co-produced and co-ounded ASL Cabaret in Los Angeles, debuting productions at The Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts, The Sorting Room, Fountain Theatre, the founding home of Deaf West Theater, and Rockwell Table & Stage to sold out audiences.