We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Douglas Ridloff. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Douglas below.

Alright, Douglas thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I left my stable job as a teacher to go for film work and be an artist at the same time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

During my time as a teacher, I founded ASL Slam (www.aslslam.org) with a singular mission: to preserve, nurture, showcase, and promote American Sign Language and the Deaf/signing community through performance media. We provide a platform for community members to share and create traditional, contemporary, and experimental sign language literature. ASL Slam now has locations in New York, Orlando, Hartford, and Austin, and I have traveled the world, conducting ASL Slam tours in places like Australia, Israel, Norway, Cuba, Jamaica, and more. I take pride in offering Deaf individuals opportunities to express themselves as artists, and many have found new opportunities after joining the ASL Slam team.

After 15 years of teaching, I decided to pursue a new career path and had the opportunity to work as an ASL Consultant on the film “A Quiet Place.” This experience led me to travel extensively for ASL Slam and as a Poet for the shows. Following the success of “A Quiet Place 1,” my career gained momentum, and I worked on projects such as “A Quiet Place 2,” “Eternals,” “Hawkeye,” “Only Murders in the Building,” and served as a consulting producer for “ECHO.” Now, my focus is on producing and directing films with a Deaf team both behind and in front of the camera.

Regarding ASL Slam, my goal is to continue spreading awareness among hearing individuals about the sophistication of Sign Language.

Another focus of mine is to see my visual poetry featured in mainstream publications alongside written and spoken poetry.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I grew up in Deaf school but I am not allowed to learn sign language which is my native language. medical and Lexington school told my family not to learn sign language and focus on speech. So my language is deprived. I had a classmate who has Deaf family and I learned through him. Luckily we signed among classmates but not with the teachers and the teachers teach thru oral.

As I get older, (Middle school, and High school, the teachers sign).

For the first time I saw a Deaf poet who is Peter Cook and I was blown by his artistic sign language. I didnt realized there is more than just to use sign languagde to communicate.

I went to Gallaudet University and I realized my identity wasnt discovered since I was not very proiud and after I graduated and I am proud of being deaf and use my language as primary. No more oral/speech.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

To provide a platform and support platforms, events, and initiatives that promote and showcase the work of artists can help them reach a wider audience and build their reputation in the creative community.

Acknowledging the value of art and creativity in society, and showing respect for the work of artists, can help create a more supportive and nurturing environment for creatives.

By implementing these strategies and fostering a culture that values and supports creativity, society can help artists thrive and contribute to a vibrant and flourishing creative ecosystem which is important to have ASL SLAM to make a movement.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.douglasridloff.com
• Instagram: @douglasridloff
• Facebook: @douglasridloff
• Linkedin: Douglas ridloff
• Twitter: @douglasridloff
• Youtube: @douglasridloff

Image Credits
Picture with two snakes: Parsa Faraghi Re:Growth picture with laurels: Karan Danani With hat and blue jacket: Jon Kopaloff. (I have a photo with out the getty images label if you prefer) SLAMTTP320.JPG: Tate Tullier slam logo background and I wore glasses: (George Lee)