Aaron M. Kubey is coming home this summer.
The 34-year-old now lives in West Haven, Conn., and is slated to return to Chicago in July. He is the executive director/president for the National Theatre of the Deaf, a post he is resigning, effective June 30, to pursue new endeavors.
"I first became involved with the National Theatre of the Deaf ( NTD ) in 1995, when I attended their summer program, The Professional Theatre School, and then was offered to work with their Los Angeles-based Little Theatre of the Deaf ( LTD ) that fall."
He worked with LTD until 1997.
After graduation from the Theatre School at DePaul in 2006, Kubey moved to New York City to do a show and he ended up running the New York Deaf Theatre.
Then, in November 2007, Kubey moved to Connecticut to become the first deaf executive director/president of NTD.
"Over the past three and a half years, I've expanded the company, have re-established our international connections and revitalized the organization," Kubey said. "I have, however, made a personal decision to resign and move back to Chicago in July. I am looking forward to coming back home and writing the next chapter of my life."
With fond memories of his last 20 years, including the 1994 performance in the Netherlands and Belgium, and in 2010 to direct and teach in Finland.
His most memorable theatre moment was performing Equus at Deaf West Theatre in 1996.
"I am leaving the organization," Kubey said. "Other than coming back home to Chicago, I don't know what will happen next. I hope to teach, consult, direct, and be an inspirational speaker of sorts.
"Deaf theatre is a very unique style of theatre that uses American Sign Language and turns it into a very expressive art form. I truly believe that people get more meaning and emotions from deaf theatre."
THE STATS
Name
Aaron M. Kubey
Hometown
Beverly, Ill.
Hobbies
Travel, sports and karaoke ( "Yes, I'm deaf and I sing." ) Relationship status
Single
Little-known fact
"I used to write poetry."
Favorite Chicago restaurant
PingPong
Favorite Chicago bar
Sidetrack
Daily ritual
"My XL hazelnut with extra cream and no sugar from Dunkin Donuts every morning, and singing along to my music while driving to work."