TCC Hosts an American Sign Language Poetry Reading

Imagine a soundless visual musical composition. That is how Douglas Ridloff describes his work as a poet and visual storyteller creating original works in Sign Language.

Ridloff, a Deaf American Sign Language poet, will be the featured guest artist for a virtual American Sign Language Poetry Reading at 3 p.m., Monday, May 17.

“This is an exciting time to have Douglas Ridloff join our community to share about ASL Poetry and his efforts to preserve American Sign Language through art and artistic expression,” said Glenna Cooper, TCC associate professor of American Sign Language Education Program.

Ridloff has a unique style of visual vernacular poetry. His work with American Sign Language using meter and rhythm has allowed him to collaborate with musicians.

He is founder and executive director of ASL Slam, a monthly open mic event that goes beyond the typical open mic experience and has amassed an international following. The mission of the ASL Slam is to provide a platform and safe space for the Deaf community to play with their language.

Ridloff has presented at TEDx Vienna in 2018 and TEDx UniGeneva in 2019. He has also served as an ASL consultant for film and TV, including “A Quiet Place” and “A Quiet Place II,” as well as “The Walking Dead” and the yet to be released “Eternals” with Marvel Studios.

Sponsored by Tulsa Community College and the Tulsa Community College Foundation, the event is free, and the public is invited to attend by using this link. ASL interpreters and captioning will be provided for the virtual event.