Nalaga’at is a nonprofit organization established in 2002 by Adina Tal and Eran Gur with the first theater company in the world whose performers are all deaf-blind. The Nalaga’at Organization's main focus is to raise awareness of the needs of the deafblind population in Israel and worldwide. The association established a unique cultural center at the Laventbondet House, located at Jaffa Port. The center is a stage for arts and culture that promotes an equal dialogue and leads to social change, in the belief in the human spirit and its ability to make a difference.
Nalaga'at Center
The Nalaga’at Center was founded by the Nalaga’at organization and opened in December 2007. The center employs over 100 workers, the majority of whom are deaf, blind and deaf-blind. The center is home to: Nalaga’at Theater, the only theater with deaf-blind ensembles of actors in the world; Kapish Event Center where deaf and hearing impaired waiters invite the guests to communicate in sign language; Blackout Restaurant, where blind and visually impaired waiters accompany the guests to a meal in total darkness; Workshop Center, offering unique workshops or activities in the dark, all instructed by deaf and blind employees. Nalaga'at Center is a meeting place for deaf, blind, deaf-blind and the general public. A space where there is an equal dialogue that promotes the needs and aspirations of every person, in the belief that all human beings are equal and every person has the right to make his or her contribution to society.
Nalaga'at Theater
The Nalaga’at Theater was established in order to integrate members the deaf-blind population, to provide them with an outlet for self-expression, and to help them exercise their rights while contributing to society. The theater's goal is to bring together people of diverse backgrounds through art and emotion, regardless of religion, race, or social status. The first production of the theater, "Light is Heard in Zig-Zag", directed by Adina Tal, was performing in Israel and worldwide with great success. The second production, "Not By Bread Alone", directed by Adina Tal and featuring an ensemble of 11 deaf-blind actors, is performing in Nalaga'at Theater since its opening. The show was also invited to perform in major theater festival in Perth, New York, Boston, Washington DC, the LIFT festival in London and the international music and theater festival in Seoul, South Korea. In 2009, the Nalaga'at Center initiated a special acting training program for deaf and blind waiters, which created a theatrical sign language workshop for children called "Give me a Sign" and, in 2010, the children play "Prince Rooster" directed by Adina Tal. In addition, workshops of sign language and activities in the dark were developed. In 2015, Nalaga’at Theater is premiering two new shows: “Say Orange“, a one deaf-blind woman show directed by Sarah Sibony, and “Through the Spirit“, directed by Moshe Malka and featuring a new ensemble of deaf-blind actors, seeing-hearing actors and interpreters. In 2017 the Nalaga'at repertoire has expended with the new production "Edgar", directed by Ofer Amram. In 2018 the theater launch its own adaptation of Mark Medoff's play "Children of a Lesser God". This play included for the first time in Nalaga'at history ensemble of both deaf actors and hearing actors. Every deaf-blind actor is escorted by a personal interpreter that is making the work process, the director instructions and the group dynamics accessible for him/her. Most of the Nalaga’at Theater's actors suffer from Usher Syndrome, a genetic disorder resulting in a combination of hearing loss and visual impairment. By performing regularly on stage, the deaf-blind actors of the Nalaga’at Theater improve their self-esteem and communication skills, and have the opportunity to express themselves while raising awareness of the deaf-blind population’s needs in Israel. Most deaf-blind actors can communicate only with people who can sign language by touch or by the "Glove" sign language. Communication between the deaf-blind actors has developed in many ways, as every person in the group has different needs and abilities.
