NEW YORK (AP) – Actors usually have all sorts of special skills they’ve picked up along the way – sword-fighting, judo, a Scandinavian accent. Camryn Manheim has American Sign Language.
The former “The Practice” star is currently showcasing that skill in a crackling Broadway revival of “Spring Awakening,” which mixes hearing and deaf performers.
It turns out that a hole in her transcript, a car accident and some inspiration led Manheim to become fluent in sign language.
THE LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
Manheim, whose family is academically inclined, initially had trouble getting into college. She needed to pass two languages, but struggled beyond English.