Signing Under the Sea: Getting to Know the ASL Interpreters for The Little Mermaid

Members of The ASL club share about their ASL interpretations of The Little Mermaid.

By: Xochitl Garza and Ashley M. Acevedo 

Over the years interpretations for the Redwood’s musicals have excelled. COVID-19 was a rough hill to get over, not only for the ASL interpreters but for a lot of other clubs and electives. 

That may have been a hard time, but quickly, the club got back on its feet, as well as the interpretations for musicals. 

The ASL club is all about providing and representing the deaf community. The president along with the club members all work hard to achieve that.

Makayla Fleming, ‘26, shares her experience about being a part of the ASL interpreters.

Fleming shares, “I did ASL my first two years of high school I really enjoyed it,” which led to her doing it this year as well. 

Fleming also shares that she enjoys interpreting because, “especially because we get to hang out with each other.”

Martina Cabrera, ‘26, who’s interpreting for Ursula, shares her thoughts about interpreting.

Cabrera shares that, “we were given the option to interpret, it was hard at first but it was really fun.”

Later, Cabrera shares that she’s really excited to interpret Ursula. “She gets a lot of fun songs and lots of facial expressions which I’m excited for,” says Cabrera.

Melanie Martinez, ‘27, details how she got into Interpreting for the musical.

Martinez shares, “Well, I’ve been interpreting for a long time and I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, so I decided to join the ASL club and try something new.”

Martinez also shares that even if it’s fun there are some things that she isn’t so excited for. Along with Hope Murapa, ’25, Martinez shares that, “all the eyes, like the audience, that’s nerve-wracking having everyone’s eyes on you.”

Murapa says, “I’m excited to see the play and excited to learn and get better at ASL.”

Murapa also adds, “Hopefully I see some deaf and hard-of-hearing people.”

The adviser, Mrs. Duerre, the ASL teacher here at Redwood, tells her view on the ASL club and their hard work.

Duerre goes to say, “They are doing an amazing job, all I do is provide a room for them, and they do it all independently.”

Overall, in Flemings words, “you’re in a whole new world when you’re signing.”

Tags: arts & entertainment, asl, rangers, Redwood, redwood asl, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, rhs asl, the little mermaid, visalia ca