July 18, 2016 at 4:54 p.m.
Magic hands: Deaf illusionists entertain, enlighten
Magic hands: Deaf illusionists entertain, enlighten
By Kayla Thomason-
Along with the opportunity to watch some impressive prestidigitation, young children were able to learn a little bit about American Sign Language as the magicians - a husband and wife team - happen to be deaf.
With the help of interpreter John Tom, Matt and Liliana Morgan were able to share their story with the River News.
Matt Morgan said he has been performing for over 25 years, 15 of those with his wife at his side.
"She's actually from Russia and we met and fell in love when I was over there and we've been traveling the world together ever since for 15 years," he said.
They do a lot of shows at libraries and other venues, they said.
Matt said he watches the audience's facial expressions to get a read of how the show is going.
"I can definitely see the facial expressions so I can definitely gauge how they're doing," he explained. "If they're really quiet I have to kind of figure out if something's wrong. I have to look at the interpreter to kind of see what's going on, but really just looking at their faces I can get a really good feel for if they are really enjoying the show or not."
Their show differs from other magic shows in that they prefer a fast pace so the crowd remains engaged.
"I know sometimes there's a lot of magicians that really kind of talk and do a lot of, I guess, monologue during their show," Matt said. "I like to keep really kind of busy, I like to keep it moving, I like to keep it light, I like to keep it interesting. I try to figure out what's really going to keep their interest and I really like trying to promote the reading in the library as well, too."
Many children have never encountered someone who is deaf. The Morgans like to show them that being deaf does not limit what they can do.
"Another thing I like to show them also is I'm a deaf person and that's not a very common person, especially a deaf magician, so showing everybody that deaf people can do anything too works really well," he said, adding that children are often confused at the beginning of the show when he starts signing and the interpreter starts speaking.
"I think just after a minute or so they kind of get what's going on and even if there are volunteers up there they don't kind of get what's going on like 'oh come on over this way,' and they start walking toward the interpreter. It's pretty easy to kind of guide them back into the show to get it back in line," he said.
Some of the tricks they showed the children involved making beautiful white doves appear from nowhere, making a mother's phone disappear and reappear across the room in a locked box containing several other boxes, and having a group of children wave a massive wand to pop popcorn. The Morgans also taught the children a little bit of sign language.
Luke Calhoun especially enjoyed the popcorn trick.
"It was really cool," he said.
Walter Tenman, Calhoun's brother, also thought it was a great performance.
"I thought it was cool," he said, adding that his favorite part of the show involved a bird cannonball. "(I liked it) when the bird went from the cannon to the cage," he said.
Gina Calhoun, the boys' mother, loved the performance.
"It was so entertaining, it was an awesome, awesome, awesome show," she said. "I think it's amazing. What a great opportunity to break down some stereotypes and open doors, get a conversation started. It was wonderful, I can't say enough about it."
Calhoun added that sshe thinks her children will have an interest in American Sign Language after seeing sign language used during the show. According to Matt Morgan, children tend to pick up ASL rather quickly.
The Morgans have two children, Elijah, 11, and Samantha, 8, who were taught ASL at a young age.
Elijah started learning sign language at three months old and by six months he would use basic sign language for "food," "drink," "hungry" and "milk," his parents said.
"He really picked it up fast," his father said. "It's his first language and actually that language will evolve quicker than speaking language will, so I actually think it's really important for everybody to teach their kids sign language. It doesn't matter if they are hearing or deaf because in the future just in case maybe if something were to happen they'd be prepared and ready to go."
Liliana Morgan pointed out sign language benefits others as well.
"It's really good for mental health as well too," she said. "It is something they will pick up faster than spoken language."
This is the Morgans second time at the Rhinelander District Library. They also did a show in Minocqua last week. They are big proponents of libraries.
"I recommend reading books, take advantage of everything you can and like I said that's how I became successful and I try and encourage the audience with that," Matt said. "It doesn't matter what the kids want to read as long as they are reading. I think it's proven that as that language development happens that once they get into older stages in life it really does benefit them having that exposure earlier."
Those who would like to learn American Sign Language can find books for children and adults at the Rhinelander District Library. The library can also get more materials from other libraries.
Nicolet Area Technical College offers American Sign Language I and II multiple times a year.
Kayla Breese may be reached at kayla@rivernewsonline .com.
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