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Commonly Asked Questions

We know you have a hundred questions; here are a hundred answers.

(Well, maybe not quite that many)

ABOUT THE EVENT

 

WHAT LANGUAGE IS THE EVENT TAUGHT IN?

We teach the event in English (voice) and we work in ASL/PSE.

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ARE DEAF INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE EVENT?

Yes, Deaf individuals serve as evaluators during class, and serve as volunteers, transportation supporters, and evaluators for live practice events in the evenings. Gate believes strongly that the Deaf are the best individuals to evaluate the quality of an interpretation.
 

ARE PARTICIPANTS REQUIRED TO INTERPRET IN THE EVENINGS?

No, evenings are optional. Some individuals will want to rest. The classwork is intensive, and it will be a lot to process. Some indviduals will want to push the week to its limit. Participants can pick how many evening events in which they would like to participate.

 

ARE PARTICIPANTS REQUIRED TO PERFORM IN THE FINAL CONCERT?

No. The concert is available for final feedback at the end of the week. Attendance or participation is not required but is encouraged.

 

ARE CEU'S AVAILABLE FOR EVENING EVENTS?

No. Our CMP does not allow earning of CEU's outside of the classroom time, however the workshop does allow for a total of 3.5 PS CEU's which is extensive!

 

WILL PARTICIPANTS TRULY BE CHALLENGED AND TESTED TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS?

YES! YES! YES! This event is intensive. Most interpreters who attend any Gate workshop say it's the best workshop they have ever attended. The material is intensive... very intensive. Gate believes every minute in a workshop is a minute to catch a vision, learn a truth, and be molded into greatness. Gate believes every interpreter has room to improve and as a family we can work together to make that happen.

 

WILL PARTICIPANTS BE INTIMIDATED BY OTHER ATTENDEES?

No. Gate believes in a NO EGO environment. We emphasize family. We emphasize team work. We emphasize the need for vulnerability. We emphasize a hard working environment. We emphasize positive attitudes. We emphasize positive interaction with peers. We do NOT support any superiority... ever. No one is perfect. We believe the best Performance Interpreters are often the ones willing to get out of their shell and willing to try new skills. If you want to be free to be at your best, this is the place for you.

 

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ACCEPTED INTO BSL NASHVILLE EVERY YEAR? 

We will likely accept 15 - 23 people into BSL NASHVILLE this year. 

 

HOW MANY PEOPLE APPLY TO BSL NASHVILLE EACH YEAR?

We don't release the number of people who apply. We don't want this to be a competition which encourages ego. We want this to become a family environment where a wide variety of people are accepted with a variety of skills.

 

CAN INDIVIDUALS ATTEND MORE THAN ONCE? 

YES! Some individuals feel that once isn't enough. :) As most workshop participants only retain 10% according to statistics, we think attending a second time can be quite helpful. 

 

ARE CEUs AVAILABLE FOR REPEAT ATTENDEES? 

YES! RID's policies do allow for people to receive full CEUs when attending repeatedly.

 

CAN STUDENTS ATTEND?

YES! We accept a number of students every year. They add a neat level of energy to the group. We love having them.

 

CAN APPLICATIONS/VIDEOS BE SUBMITTED ONLINE?

YES! Attendees can email a scanned copy of the application, and then send in videos in DVD form or email/upload videos for review. 

 

IS THIS PROGRAM GOOD FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT SEEKING PERMANENT CAREERS AS PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE INTERPRETERS? 

YES! Many individuals attend just to grow their skills in performance in a safe and challenging environment, but their endgame may not be to become full time Performance Interpreters. Many interpreters who attend DO want a career as Performance Interpreter. We have a mixed group every year. 

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IS THIS PROGRAM A GOOD FIT FOR DEAF INDIVIDUALS? 

This particular program is taught in such a way that it is geared towards Hearing individuals. We have had Deaf attendees in the past, and we of course welcome Deaf individuals in every class! It is taught in voice for a wide varity of reasons. When the Deaf attend, the workshop will either be SimCommed or interpreted by volunteer interpreters when available. We will do our best to make sure Deaf attendees have captioned videos for practice, and we will try to incorporate creative technology to bring as much clarity as we can to the sound based topics we cover. Topics like vocal affect, tone of music, vocal alterations, the subtle but directed changes in music and vocal affect etc, need to be taught differently for Deaf individuals in order to make those unique characteristics really click for participants. If you are Deaf and looking forward to learning how to make your stage time really effective for your Deaf audiences, FYI we are currently developing a workshop which will  serve in connection with BSL NASHVILLE, and this coming workshop is being developed specifically for the Deaf! This new workshop will tackle all the sound based info in a completely unique manner, and will definitely challenge what the Deaf know about music and musical interpreting and Deaf performers will love it! That workshop will be a game changer for DIs/DASLs/SMs. Are you Deaf and interested in attending BSL NASHVILLE? Apply! But if you want to get the most out of these topics, this new workshop will completely reshape performance careers held by Deaf individuals. It's not to be missed! Sign up for our newsletter for more info!

 

I JUST HEARD ABOUT THE EVENT, IS IT TOO LATE TO APPLY?

People submit last minute applications all the time. As long as you get an extension request in by May 4th you are able to apply. 

 

SHOULD I APPLY IF I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING ALREADY?

YES! People who put out the effort always find the funding. We have heard some incredible stories of how funding was acheived. 

 

WHAT ARE SOME PERSONAL FUNDRAISING IDEAS? 

  • Funding from your place of employment

  • Funding from your church/religious institution

  • Funding from your collegiate institution

  • Funding from your local RID office

  • Funding from your local NAD chapter

  • Funding from your local disability office

  • GoFundMe account

  • Facebook fundraising

  • Personal fundraising such as bake sales, car washes, craft sales, etc

  • Birthday/Anniversary/Holiday gifts from family & friends

  • Extra work hours 
     

 

 ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

 

HOW MANY SPEAKERS DO YOU USUALLY HAVE?

Samantha serves as the primary speaker. We have between 4 & 5 guests each year. 

 

WHEN DO YOU KNOW WHAT GUESTS WILL BE BOOKED? 

There is no way to predict which guests will be booked at a particular time. In some cases we are able to book people way in advance, in other cases we find out about availability closer to the event. 

 

WHAT TYPES OF GUESTS DO YOU BRING IN?

We try to get a variety. We want bring in guests who are award winning writers & performers, in addition to people who work in other areas of the industry such as serving as artist reps or stage managers. The goal is to teach attendees about a wide variety of areas of the industry.

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WHAT ARTISTS HAVE SPOKEN AT BSLN?

Artists in Paramore, Sugarland, Jars of Clay, Broadway actors from shows like Les Mis, and so many more! 
 

ABOUT THE APPLICATION

 

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN OUR SIGNED INTRODUCTION?

We want to get to know you. We want your honesty. No you don't need to sign ASL, although please feel free to use ASL of course. If ASL intimidates you, don't let that stop you from submitting a video. You just need to be able to sign. 

 

DO OUR VIDEOS NEED TO LOOK PROFESSIONAL?

No. We do need to understand you, so make sure you are lit enough to see your performance clearly, but a video with a camera, computer, pad, or phone is acceptable. Please make sure the sound can be heard. 

 

SHOULD MY PERFORMANCE BE PERFECTLY POLISHED?

A polished performance is wonderful but it's not required. We are not looking for perfection, we are looking for potential. 

 

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A WELL GLOSSED SONG?

A well glossed song is wonderful, but that will not necessarily keep you from being accepted to BSL NASHVILLE. We are looking for potential not perfection. 

 

I WANT TO GET IN AN APPLICATION, BUT I MAY HAVE WAITED TOO LONG. 

Try to plan and not put off developing your application. We hear a lot of applicants say "I just threw it together." We have also learned that some of those people are the most enjoyable, and they have grown very near and dear to our hearts. We would hate for you to miss an opportunity to join us, and we would hate to not get to know you! So plan ahead. However, if you did wait too long, get that packet in anyway. A last minute packet is better than no packet at all! Many last minute applicants have been accepted. remember you can ask for an extension by contacting our office at workshops@gatecommunications.org.

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I AM DEAF AND WANT TO ATTEND. DO YOU ACCEPT DEAF INDIVIDUALS?

We make every effort to provide as many accommodations as possible. We attempt to provide lyrics to practice songs, we attempt to provide as many visual examples as possible, we make the room arrangements and practice areas Deaf friendly, we attempt to provide as much personalized sound for the Deaf as possible, and we strive to provide extra accessibility features whenever possible. The workshop is taught in voice. *NOTE* The workshop will be SimCommed if no interpreters are available. When Deaf individuals are accepted we will strive to find interpreters, but interpreters are not guaranteed. We do put significant effort in to make the event accessible and poignant for the Deaf as well as the Hearing. Our efforts have been successful in the past. Due to the lack of preparation available for night events, Deaf individuals are requested to serve as evaluators in the evenings rather than as interpreters. Any Deaf Performance Interpreter knows preparation is critical for Deaf Performance Interpreters, and there will be little prep if any available for evening events. Our Deaf attendees have loved serving as evaluators in the past and free tickets to evening events are provided to Deaf individuals who do choose to serve as evaluators. Some of the best Performance Interpreters in this country are Deaf. We welcome your presence at our workshop! 

 

 

INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN APPLICANTS

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I AM NOT AN AMERICAN. CAN I STILL ATTEND THIS WORKSHOP? 

YES!

 

HOW DO FEES WORK WITH EXCHANGE RATES?

All individuals using foreign currency will be required to pay via PayPal. PayPal will automatically switch your feels to that of U.S. Dollars.  

 

DO I NEED TO SPEAK ENGLISH?

Yes. The workshop is taught in English. We do request all Hearing participants speak English well enough to comprehend the lectures.

 

DO I NEED TO KNOW AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE?

No. Your audition videos can be communicated in your native sign language. We do ask you speak when you sign your intro. As we may not be familiar with your particular sign language, we want to be able to be sure and understand what you are communicating. We will advertise any concerts you interpret in the evenings as being performed in the language you use. Audience members will know in advance you do not communicate in ASL/PSE. Americans love being exposed to foreign signed languages, so you will quickly become popular here.  

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HOW WILL I BE EVALUATED?

We will evaluate you primarily based on your performance skills, not your translation skills. When we can, we will contact individuals in your country to evaluate your skills over the internet for your audition video, but for live practice/performances, most of the time our focus will remain on your performance skills. We do spend one day focusing on glossing, and the theories about what we teach can be applied to all foreign signed languages. 

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IS IT WORTH TRAVELING TO THE U.S. FOR THIS WORKSHOP?

Yes!! There is nothing else like it in the world. You will have a great time, and often our foreign participants quickly become the favorites of the group. 

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HAVE FOREIGN PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED IN THE PAST? 

Yes. Thus far we have had participants attend from the U.K. , New Zealand, and Australia in addition to the U.S.

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I WANT TO RECEIVE PROFESSIONAL CREDIT FOR MY ATTENDANCE AT BSLN. CAN YOU PROVIDE CONTINUING EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION? 

Yes. Each country has a different system. You will receive a certificate for your attendance, and the CEU value as defined by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf in the United States. Most countries will accept that documentation as proof of attendance/educational endeavors. If your country needs additional documentation, we are happy to provide it. Translation is the responsibility of the participant if the individual is from a non-English speaking nation.

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SHOULD I PLAN TO STAY LONGER THAN JUST FOR THE LENGTH OF THE WORKSHOP?

Absolutely. We suggest all foreign applicants arrive early and get acclimated to our time zones, and to the American lifestyle for a bit before delving in to the workshop. We suggest arriving in the U.S. at least a few days before the workshop begins. It's also a great time to get in a little extra tourism. 

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I HAVE NOT TRAVELED TO THE U.S. CAN YOU OFFER SUGGESTIONS?

Yes, of course! We are happy to help make suggestions on your travel, on attire, on just about anything you have questions about. 

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