Bruce Hlibok

Early Life

Bruce Hlibok (Bruce Michael Mackintosh Hlibok) July 31, 1960- June 23, 1995

Bruce was born in Flushing, New York to Deaf parents, Albert and Margaret Hlibok, and was the eldest of four siblings (all Deaf), Stephen Hlibok, Gregory Hlibok, and Nancy Hlibok Amann. He was a natural actor since he was a little boy, He directed his first formal play at Union League of Deaf in 1978, was a member of Metro Jr. NAD and attended Youth Leadership Camp (1976 as a camper and 1977 as a staff member which was unusual because he was still in high school at the time). Bruce attended Lexington School for the Deaf briefly then graduated from Horace Mann High School, Riverside, New York in 1979. He went to Gallaudet College (now known as Gallaudet University) and then transferred to New York University, where he graduated in the field of journalism and play writing.

Legacy and Achievements

Bruce was the first Deaf actor to play a main role in a Broadway production, Runaways, composed and directed by Elizabeth Swados and produced by Joseph Papp. The musical premiered off-Broadway on February 21, 1978 at the Public Theater Cabaret as presented by the New York Shakespeare Festival. It moved to Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre on May 13, 1978 and closed on Dec 31, 1978 after 274 performances and 12 previews. Bruce was the first to use sign language in the rhythm of music on stage. The play was an international smash hit, with five Tony Awards nominations. In between his Broadway play and founding his new theater company, Handstone Productions, he authored a children book about his sister, Nancy attending the Juilliard School of Dance, titled, "Silent Dancer" in 1981. He often was asked to travel and lecture on various topics including art and theatrical sign language. He also served as a consultant for theaters for the deaf and on ASL in general theater. He was also viewed as a trailblazer in the theatre community, the Deaf community and the gay community.

His company, Handstone Productions was a platform for his 12 completed written plays which were then produced at off-off Broadway theatres in Manhattan, New York; Paris, France; and Amsterdam, Netherlands. He staged an one-man show, The Deaf-Mute Howls, based on Albert V. Ballin's memoir. He acted in an off Broadway play, "Another Person is a Foreign Country", and his last role was in a off Broadway play, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter in 1994. He also was known for his poetry in both American Sign Language and English. After his passing, his family created an endowment (Bruce Hlibok, '84 Memorial Fund) at Gallaudet University which created an annual playwriting competition, "The Bruce Hlibok Playwriting Competition" and a library of resources at the Elstad Theatre on campus, of both which still exists today.

Personal Life and Family

Bruce Hlibok lived in New York nearly all his life, starting with Flushing, Queens, then he moved to Manhattan for a while before settling in Jersey City, New Jersey. His long term partner, Neal Johnson, who was a creative artist for Avon Products, died in 1987.

Notable notes on his family (both past and present): Bruce's great grandfather was Frederick Haynes Newell, his great-great grandfather was John Sherman Mackintosh and his direct ancestor was an American Founding Father, Roger Sherman of Connecticut. His father owned a civil engineering company and his mother was a teacher- both are lifelong advocates for the Deaf community, both in New York and nationally. As for his siblings, his younger brother Stephen Hlibok was the first Deaf stockbroker with Merrill Lynch, his youngest brother, Greg Hlibok was one of the four student leaders during the Deaf President Now movement in 1988, and his sister, Nancy Hlibok Amann is the superintendent of the California School for the Deaf at Riverside, CA.

Death

On June 23, 1995, Bruce Hlibok died at the age of 34, surrounded by family at his home on Erie Street, Jersey City, New Jersey, from pneumonia, a complication caused by Autoimmune Deficiency Syndrome (A.I.D.S.). His passing was mourned by many in the Deaf community as a “torch extinguished too early.”

References:

1. Obituary, “Bruce Hlibok, 34, A Broadway Actor And a Playwright”, New York Times. (July 2, 1995). Retrieved March 22, 2015.

2. History, Deafpeople.com. http://deafpeople.com/history/history_info/hlibok.html. Retrieved March 22, 2015.

3. Moore, M., & Panara, R. (1996). Great deaf Americans: The second edition (2nd ed.). Rochester, N.Y.: Deaf Life Press.

4. September 1995- “Leading light: A Tribute to Bruce Hlibok”. Deaf Life, Issue 3. Retrieved March 22, 2015.

5. June 01, 1994 - By STEPHEN HOLDEN - Arts; Theater - Print Headline: "Reviews/Theater; The Desperation of Life in McCullers Country". New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2015.

6. September 10, 1991 - By STEPHEN HOLDEN - Arts; Theater - Print Headline: "Review/Theater; In Decayed, Empty Nursing Home, A Pageant of the Lame and Hurt". New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2015.

7. Hlibok, B. (1987). Bruce Hlibok script. RIT/NTID Deaf Studies Archive. http://library.rit.edu/findingaids/html/RITDSA.0044.html

8. May 15, 1978 - By RICHARD EDER - Print Headline: "'Runaways' Moves Up to Broadway; Pain of Childhood". New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2015.

9. March 27, 1978 - By GEORGIA DULLEA - Print Headline: "For 'Runaways' Parents, a Play That Is More Than Just Theater; Opened Their Hearts A Real Life Story Problem Children", New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2015.

10. March 20, 1981 - By Albin Krebs and Robert Thomas - New York and Region - Print Headline: "Notes on People; SINGING AND COMMUNICATING IN HIS OWN SPECIAL WAY"

11. March 10, 1978 - By MEL GUSSOW - Print Headline: "Stage: Inspired 'Runaways'; Whither Youth?" New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2015.

12. October 03, 1973 - By VIRGINIA LEE WARREN - Print Headline: "They're All Deaf but, as a Family, They Don't Feel Handicapped; Read a Visitor's Lips". New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2015

13. Hlibok, B., & Glasgow, L. (1981). “Silent Dancer”. New York City, New York: Messner.

14. Bryan, A. M. (2002). “On and off stage: the Bruce Hlibok story. New York: Deaf Vision Filmworks. DVD.

15. Eastman, G.; Dellon, J.; Norman, J, Ph. D. (1985) “Deaf Mosaic: #108”. Department of Television, Film, and Photography: VHS. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University.

16. Cook, P.S.; Lerner, K.; Hlibok, B.; Carmel, S.J.; Malzkuhn, E. (1989). “Flying Words event held at Writers and Books”. DVD. Rochester, N.Y. : National Technical Institute for the Deaf, 1989.

17. Swado, E; et al. (1978). “Runaways”. New York Public Library, Billy Rose Theatre Collection, Theatre on Film and Tape Archive. Videocassette : NTSC color broadcast system.

18. Shaw, B.; Hlibok, B.; Stone, J. (1980). “Androcles and the lion”. Picture: Artwork reproduction. Washington, DC : Gallaudet College Theatre, 1980.

19. Jessup, H, et al. (1978) “The Baxters Christmas Special”. VHS. Boston Broadcasters, Inc.; WCVB-TV (Television station : Needham, Mass.).

20. Swados, E. (1978, 2003). “Runaways: original Broadway cast: a New York Shakespeare Festival Production”. Music CD. New York, N.Y.: DRG Records, Sony Music Custom Marketing Group.