MATTHEW S. MOORE

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Actor

Theater/ Films Credits

Odd Couple (1982)

The Passion of Dracula (1985)

The Wonderful World of Oz (2018)

Three Watches (2019)

Portrait of A Deaf Leader (2019)

NTID Productions: Roles & Years

Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio), 1979 

The Fantasticks (Henry), 1979 

The School for Wives (Chrysalde), 1980 

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Billy), 1981

The Odd Couple (Felix), 1982 

Cue Up (Self), 1982

A Christmas Carol (Marley), 1982 

Table (Self), 1983

Bury the Dead (General), 1984

The Passion of Dracula (Renfield), 1985 

See How They Run (Bishop of Lax), 2001

Peter Pan (Mr. Darling/Captain Hook), 2002

Charlie And the Chocolate Factory (Narrator/Willy Wonka), 2012

The Wonderful World of Oz (Ms. Gulch/The Wicked Witch of the West), 2018

Films: Roles & Years

Table (1983)

Signs of the Time (Self), 2008

Matthew S. Moore: Why I Love Acting (Self), 2018

Cheers & Jeers with Matthew S. Moore (Host), 2018 – present

Three Watches (Mike), 2019

Portrait of A Deaf Leader (Self), 2019

Table, 2023

The Fantasticks (1979)

Peter Pan (2002)

Romeo and Juliet (1979)

Charlie And the Chocolate Factory (2012)

Matthew S. Moore: Why I Love Acting (2018)

Highlights

Served as NTID’s Theatre Manager (Office Manager and House Manager) for 2 years, 1979-1980.

Participated in the Professional Theatre School at the National Theatre of the Deaf, 1980. PHOTOS & MEMENTOS

Won the Irene Ryan Award as a Regional Finalist in the American College Theatre Festival (1980). PROGRAM & CERTIFICATE

Won NTID’s coveted Golden Hands Award for excellence in theater (1979-1980).

One of three Sign Language Consultants for NTID’s production of The Diviners (April 1983). POSTER

Gave an ASL-poetry performance at Jazzberry’s Restaurant & Cabaret, Genesee Co-op, Monroe Avenue, Rochester, January 28, 1987. CALENDAR

Participated in the “Deaf Poetry Show” at Jazzberry’s, part of the first National Deaf Poetry Conference, September 1987.

Gave an ASL-poetry performance with Susan E. Smith at Writers & Books, University Avenue, Rochester, NY December 16, 1987, as part of the Deaf Poetry Series. FLYER

Producer, American Deaf Play Creators’ Festival II, September 25-November 8, 1998, at NTID. PLAYBILL COVER & LETTER

Gave a one-man-show performance at the 38th AAD Biennial Conference in Huntsville, Alabama, Friday evening, June 22, 2001. See also Workshops

Taught a “Characters in Sign” class at the Actors Academy summer program at National Theatre of the Deaf, Chester, Connecticut, August 27-31, 2002.

Performed at Mapping the Future, the 33rd Annual Southeast Regional Institute on Deafness (a conference for VR professionals, teachers, deaf-education administrators, staff, and advocates), aboard the battleship USS Alabama, October 8, 2003. His performance encompassed recollections of his schooldays at ISD, original humorous stories and ASL songs, and his views on childhood cochlear implants.

Summer Program 1980: group shot. Moore is in the front row, second from left.

Original Works

C’est Autre Chose (a musical revue co-written, co-produced, and directed by Moore) PHOTOS

Cue Up (experimental play), 1982 PHOTOS

Table (silent video; won second place in the Experimental category in the American Film Institute’s East Regional 1983 Student Video Competition) PHOTOS

Deaf Magazine (pilot TV magazine-format series hosted and scripted by Moore, who also served as executive producer), 1984 PHOTO

Cheers & Jeers with Matthew S. Moore (series) hosted, directed and produced by Moore, 2018 to present

Director

C’est Autre Chose (a musical revue co-written, co-produced, and directed by Moore)

Table (silent video; won second place in the Experimental category in the American Film Institute’s East Regional 1983 Student Video Competition) PHOTOS

Deaf Magazine (pilot TV magazine-format series hosted and scripted by Moore, who also served as executive producer), 1984 PHOTO

Cheers & Jeers with Matthew S. Moore (TV series hosted and directed by Moore, produced by Redbird Pictures),  2018-present

YLCAF 50th Reunion Promotional Videos, 2019

Table. 2023

Leader

Board

Founding/Board member | Youth Leadership Camp Alumni Foundation
2013–Present

Board member | NTID Foundation Board,
2017–present

Board member | Indiana Deaf Children Foundation
2021–Present

Community

Founder/President | Deaf Rochesterians' Community Center
1990–1994

The William “Dummy” Hoy Project, Biography/Hall of Fame/Outreach Campaign (Inactive, will resume)
1999–2017

President/Founder | We the Deaf People, Inc.
2014–Present 

Chair | National Technical Institute for the Deaf Performing Arts Advisory Board
2015–Present 

President/Founder | Deaf People United, Inc.
2016–Present 

President/Founder | Deaf Political Action Committee
2016–Present 

Founder | Deaf History Preservation Foundation (In Progress)
2019–Present

Advisory Member | RGH Deaf / Hard of Hearing Advisory Committee
2019–2021 

Steering Committee Member | Indiana Deaf Children Foundation
2021–2022

Board Member | Indiana Deaf Children Foundation
2022–Present

Advisory Member | University of Rochester Medical Center Deaf Patient and Family Advisory Council
Feb 2018–Present

Founder/President | Deaf Life Honors' Blue Ribbon Committee
2020–Present

Indiana Deaf Children Foundation

Keynotes

Keynote speaker, Indiana School for the Deaf, kicking off Deaf Awareness Week and ISD’s Sesquicentennial Celebration, September 20, 1993. PLAQUE (Also see LINK in “Lectures”)

Keynote speaker, Support Service Personnel Conference (BOCES), Rochester, NY, May 7, 1994. DOCUMENTS

Commencement speaker, Ohio School for the Deaf, June 10, 1994. PROGRAM

Gave keynote address, “Can You Read Me? Growing Up Deaf and Literate,” at the 33rd Annual ITHI Conference, February 28, 1997 (sponsored by Illinois Teachers of the Hearing Impaired).

Gave keynote address, “Your Well-Being,” at the 15th Biennial Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf Conference, Kansas City, Missouri, July 1, 1997.

Gave keynote address, Ohio Association of the Deaf Convention, Columbus, October 18, 1997. CERTIFICATE & FLYER

Gave keynote address at Deaf Celebration ’98, Dallas City Hall Chambers, September 15, 1998.

Gave keynote address, “For Hearing People Only: a Brief History,” and presentation, “Deaf Reality 101,” at the 2nd Annual COSDA Conference, Birmingham, Alabama, June 15, 2000 (sponsored by Council of Organizations Serving Deaf Alabamians).

Gave keynote address at Commencement Exercises at Indiana School for the Deaf, May 18, 2001. PROGRAM & NEWSLETTER

Commencement speaker, West Virgina School for the Deaf and Blind, June 3, 2016

Gave presentation as guest speaker for Deaf People In Society at Northeastern University in Boston, November 13, 2020.

Gave presentation as guest speaker for Deaf In Arts Panel at Northeastern University in Boston, March 12, 2021.

Gave presentation as guest speaker for Deaf People In Society at Northeastern University in Boston, November 5th, 2021.

Gave presentation as guest speaker for Deaf People In Society at Northeastern University in Boston, February 4th, 2022.

Lectures

"Treating Deaf Patients who use Sign Language" at Rochester Regional Health in 2018.

Hosted the first NDPCC Open Forum, Panara Theatre, NTID, January 23, 2019: Moore signing "bridge."

URMC presentation in June 4, 2019

Moore has given several traveling presentations on publishing Deaf Life and For Hearing People Only, Deaf media, politics, achievement, education, and growing up Deaf.

Guest lecturer at Camp Mark Seven, Old Forge, New York, 1988.

Gave an informal talk to NTID/RIT students/faculty/staff in Tower A lobby (Ellingson Residence Hall), as part of the Deaf Culture Speaker Series, October 23, 1991. FLYER

Guest speaker at Texas Deaf Caucus’ 3rd Annual Conference: A Framework for Change, Tyler, Texas, November 7, 1992. PROGRAM

Gave an informal talk to students in the ASL Program at University of Rochester, November 4, 1993.

Participated in Deaf Heritage Week at Indiana School for the Deaf, September 20-24, 1993. FLYER & LETTERS

Presenter, CELEBRATION ’94, University of California at Berkeley, February 1994. PROSPECTUS

Lectured at Mt. San Antonio Community College, Walnut, California, as part of Deaf Lecture Series, June 4, 1994.

Gave presentation on Deaf Life, as part of NTID’s ASL Lecture Series, January 27, 1995. INVITATION

Gave six presentations sponsored by Johnson County Community College—to JCCC hearing journalism students, Kansas School for the Deaf students, and to the local Deaf/Hearing community, March 30-31, 1995. These were: “DAW: Celebration of Culture Day,” “Introduction to Newswriting,” “News Reporting and Deaf Culture,” “Mass Media & Society,” and “Improving Writing Skills.” PHOTOS & IMAGES

Gave presentation, “Literacy 101: Giving Deaf Kids the Basics,” to 274 people at the Show Me Symposium: Educating Children Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Columbia, Missouri, February 24, 1996. PROGRAM IMAGE

Gave a Great Deaf Americans slideshow-presentation at Boston Public Library, September 26 and 27, 1996. Gave 2 similar presentations to several hundred 4th-graders to seniors, and one to adults, at California School for the Deaf, Riverside, October 4, and one to 150 people at Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut, California, October 5, 1996. LETTER

Gave 3 presentations about Great Deaf Americans and Hall of Fame proposal at the Deaf Senior Citizens’ Conference, Phoenix, Arizona (April 23-27), and one presentation on Deaf Life and Deaf Life Press books at Arizona State University, April 24, 1997.

Gave a talk with Robert F. Panara on Great Deaf Americans at Barnes & Noble, Pittsford Plaza, Rochester, New York, April 26, 1997. CALENDAR LISTING

Gave a motivational presentation at the Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf Statewide Meeting, Matteson, Illinois, May 20, 1998. This meeting was sponsored by the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Services for Persons Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. LETTER

Gave Great Deaf Americans presentations at 1998 Youth Leadership Camp, Camp Taloali, Stayton, Oregon, July 20-27, 1998.

Participated in the Deaf Executives in Residence Program at Gallaudet University’s School of Management, September 8-9, 1998. LETTER

Gave two presentations in Texas: one at Dallas Deaf Club, one at Austin Deaf Community Center, mid-December 1998.

Gave 3 presentations (“Deaf Life,” “Great Deaf Americans,” and “The Three ‘R’s” (Fireside Chat) at 1999 Youth Leadership Camp, Camp Taloali, Stayton, Oregon, June 24-27, 1999. LETTER

Gave presentation to campers at Pathways to Your Future learning camp for deaf youth, sponsored by Rochester Museum & Science Center, June 28, 1999.

Gave presentation, “Great Deaf Americans and Responsibility,” at the Jr. NAD Conference, Rochester, New York, November 1, 2000.

Gave presentation, “Stuck in the Bucket,” at Allies 2000 Conference, New Haven, Connecticut, November 3 and 4, 2000. (Allies is a New England-based group of advocates, including interpreters, ITP students, teachers, and Deaf professionals promoting better Deaf-Hearing relations.) PROGRAM & CERTIFICATE

Gave brief talk about William E. “Dummy” Hoy at Gallaudet University’s dedication of its baseball diamond as Hoy Field, April 8, 2001. PHOTOS

Gave lecture, “Hard Work is Unheard Of in the Deaf Community” (reflections on running a business, the 9-to-5 ethos, and Deaf attitudes), to students at NTID’s Dining Commons, April 19, 2001.

Participated in informal Q/A “Coffeehouse Presentation” session during 2001 Veditz ASL Festival at Northeastern University, Boston, May 10, 2001. (In this series, a group of students and interpreters invite successful Deaf persons to discuss their careers and answer questions from the audience.)

Gave informal talk, “Political Games in the Deaf Community,” to members of NTID’s DeafASL Club, November 2, 2002.

Gave 4 presentations in Manchester, New Hampshire: a morning “Great Deaf Americans” slideshow at Memorial High School, followed by a “surprise visit” to an ASL class of hearing students there, where he administered a pop quiz and “gave them a brief dose of reality” (a glimpse of lightning-quick ASL discourse), and that evening, “Deaf Reality 101” at University of New Hampshire-Manchester, November 8, 2002; workshop on “Oppression” at Allies 2002 meeting, November 9. FLYER and LETTER

Gave a presentation, “Treating Deaf Patients who use Sign Language” to the Quality and Safety Institute staff at Rochester Regional Health, September 12, 2018.

Gave the lecture at the first National Deaf Patients Care Council (NDPCC) Open Forum, Panara Theatre, NTID, January 23, 2019.

Gave a presentation at URMC, June 4, 2019.

Workshops

Invited by Rochester School for the Deaf to help develop newsletter for the regional Jr. NAD conference, 1990.

Participated in the DeafWriters/Storytellers Conference at The Learning Center for Deaf Children (Framingham, Massachusetts); conducted a workshop, and helped students and staff develop a newsletter, October 22-23, 1992. NEWSLETTER & LETTER

Conducted an all-day workshop, “Deaf Reality 101,” at the 2000 George Veditz ASL Festival, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, April 29, 2000.

Participated in the 2000 “Pathways to Your Future” program sponsored by Monroe #1 Board of Cooperative Educational Services, June 29-30, 2000. LETTER

Conducted an all-day workshop, “Great Deaf Americans,” at the 2001 George Veditz ASL Festival, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, May 12, 2001. PROSPECTUS & PROGRAM COVER

Conducted two workshops, “Great Deaf Americans” and “Deaf Reality 101,” at the 38th AAD Biennial Conference in Huntsville, Alabama, June 22, 2001. PROGRAM BOOK

Gave three presentations; “To Teach or Not to Teach? Is ASL teaching a charitable activity or a means of survival?”, “Great Deaf Americans and Us,” and “How to Use For Hearing People Only: Third Edition in Class,” at the ASLTA Second National Professional Development Conference, Indianapolis, April 10-13, 2003.

Informal interactive session with two classes of Glenn Carlstrand’s sign-language students at Southport High School, Indianapolis, Indiana, April 18, 2003. VISITOR’S PASS

Informal interactive session with two classes of Glenn Carlstrand’s sign-language students at Butler University, April 21, 2003.

Moderated plenary session, “Putting ASL Back into Primary Deaf-Ed Programs: What We Can Do,” and gave a presentation, “Discovering My First Language: the Importance of ASL,” at the ASL 4 Us Midwestern Conference, Indianapolis, June 4-6, 2005.

The Learning Center for Deaf Children, TLC High School students David (left) and Jeremy Phaneuf talk with DEAF LIFE magazine publisher Matthew S. Moore while other students converse with conference presenters. Photo: John Pawlick 1992

Publisher

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Deaf Rochesterians’ Newsmagazine, December 1987-June 1989, an independent local newsmagazine and Deaf Community calendar DRN covers.

Publisher and Co-Editor-in-Chief, DEAF LIFE, 1986-present. Responsibilities entail handling all business aspects of publication of an independent monthly magazine; some editorial duties; layout and design; negotiating with advertisers and printers; arranging interviews; supervising staff and contributors; making final decisions on content of magazine; etc. Regular monthly publication began in July 1988. In July 1998, DEAF LIFE celebrated 10th anniversary and entered 11th year of publication.

New subsidiary, Deaf Life Press, published its first book, For Hearing People Only: Answers to Some of the Most Commonly Asked Questions About the Deaf Community, its Culture, and the “Deaf Reality,” in September 1992. Second edition was published in August 1993. Now in its eleventh printing.

Other Deaf Life Press books:

Meeting Halfway in American Sign Language, by Bernard Bragg and Jack R. Olson, was published in March 1994.

St. Michael’s Fall, poems by Raymond Luczak, was published in January 1996.

Great Deaf Americans: The Second Edition (by Matthew S. Moore and Robert F. Panara, completely revised and expanded). Published in August 1996.

On His Deafness and Other Melodies Unheard, poems by Robert F. Panara. Published in October 1997.

Victory Week, by Walter P. Kelley, illustrated by Tony L. McGregor, a full-color children’s book about the 1988 “Deaf President Now!” uprising at Gallaudet University.

Deaf Life Calendar “Dates To Remember From Our Deaf History” Published in 2012

Deaf Life Calendar “A Sign A Day Calendar” Published in 2012

Beyond ASL Series: “This ain’t Flipping the Bird” by Matthew S. Moore & Cynthia Sanders. Published in 2016.

Deaf Reality 101 (Matthew S. Moore & Linda Levitan). Published in 2017.
From Oaks To Acorns (Frank R. Turk, published by Deaf Life Press) Published in 2019.

Entrepreneur

In 1984, soon after graduating from RIT, Matthew incorporated his tiny, independent multimedia company, MSM Productions, Ltd. His goals were, and remain, building bridges between Deaf and Hearing communities, increasing awareness of Deaf people
and their accomplishments, promoting respect for American Sign Language, and empowering other Deaf people. MSM Productions has four main foci: magazine and book publishing; Internet; film and video; and conference planning. Matthew began publishing DEAF LIFE in July 1988, launched Deaf Life Press in 1992, and made his first foray into the Internet in 1997, launching the DEAF.com portal site. DEAF LIFE Japan, DEAF LIFE’s first foreign-language edition, kicked off in January 2010. In Spring 2012, Matthew founded the Deaf Life Japan Company in Tokyo, an extension of MSM’s outreach and service.

Deaf Life Japan Company, Est. 2012

MSM Productions, Ltd. believes in providing the highest possible quality of services and content, and in building between the Deaf community and the world. We celebrated our 35th anniversary in 2019, and this year marks our 38th year. Our multimedia ventures have included print publications, textbooks, conferences, Webhosting, and video production.

In 1984, soon after graduating from RIT, Matthew incorporated his tiny, independent multimedia company, MSM Productions, Ltd. His goals were, and remain, building bridges between Deaf and Hearing communities, increasing awareness of Deaf people
and their accomplishments, promoting respect for American Sign Language, and empowering other Deaf people. MSM Productions has four main foci: magazine and book publishing; Internet; film and video; and conference planning. Matthew began publishing DEAF LIFE in July 1988, launched Deaf Life Press in 1992, and made his first foray into the Internet in 1997, launching the DEAF.com portal site. DEAF LIFE Japan, DEAF LIFE’s first foreign-language edition, kicked off in January 2010. In Spring 2012, Matthew founded the Deaf Life Japan Company in Tokyo, an extension of MSM’s outreach and service.

Deaf Life Japan Company, Est. 2012

Learn more about
MSM Productions, Ltd.

View site

Producer

Produced, scripted, and hosted Deaf Magazine, a half-hour pilot program for a magazine-format series targeted to Deaf viewers, which aired on Rochester’s local ABC affiliate, WOKR, in June 1984.

Co-Director, Flying Words Project, 1989 to 1997. Helped coordinate ASL poetry series.

Helped organize the first ASL Literature Conference, October 10-13, 1991 (held at NTID).

Founder, Deaf Rochesterians’ Community Center Core Team, 1992.

Producer, American Deaf Play Creators’ Festival II, September 25-November 8, 1998, at NTID.

President, William Ellsworth “Dummy” Hoy Committee, November 2000 to present.

Co-Producer, NTID Performing Arts Program’s production of Peter Pan, May 2-12, 2002.

Founded two new schools, Deaf Studies Academy (for adult education) and Deaf Youth Academy, (offering after-school tutoring) in Tokyo, both opening Spring 2012. Taught English at DYA. Both schools were active for around three years.

Co-Producer, NTID Performing Arts Program’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, April 25-28 and May 3-4, 2013. (Contributions for Peter Pan and Chocolate Factory total $126,000.)

Founder and President, We the Deaf People/DeafPAC, began letter campaigns in August 2013.

Founder and Chair, William Willard Memorial & Restoration Committee, October 2014.

Founder and Chair, NTID’s Performing Arts Program Advisory Committee, planning special production for NTID’s 50th-anniversary celebration, working revive Sunshine Too, setting up summer program, etc. Official announcement issued March 15, 2016.

Directed Making History Together: We the Deaf People and Deaf People United Training Seminar, Rochester, June 10-13, 2016.

Co-Producer, NTID Performing Arts Program’s production of The Wonderful World of Oz, April-May and June-July, 2018. Contributed $47,000, including in-kind donations (full-color posters, playbills, etc.) and helped raise $44,000—a total of $91,000.

May 2018: Established Redbird Pictures, MSM Productions’ video/film-producing arm.

Producer, Cheers & Jeers with Matthew S. Moore, an online short-video series, debuted March 17, 2019.

Producer of YLCAF Profiles, 52 short open-captioned video profiles of attendees of the Youth leadership Camp Alumni Foundation’s 50th-anniversary reunion, Trail’s end, Pennsylvania, Memorial Day Weekend 2019. Videos released online.

Co-Producer, Mini-Series “Witty Little Girl.” Released 2020.

Conferences

Chairman, Third New York Statewide Conference for Sign-Language Instructors, “Signs ‘R’ Us: Teach All Kids ASL,” held at the Holidome, Rochester, NY, October 8-11, 1992.

Conference Coordinator, ASLTA’s First National Professional Development Conference, October 7-10, 1999. Gave $40,000 to ASLTA.

Conference Coordinator, ASLTA’s Second National Professional Development Conference, April 10-13, 2003, Indianapolis.

Conference Coordinator, ASL 4 Us Midwestern Conference, June 4-6, 2005, Indianapolis.

Conference Coordinator, ASLTA’s Third National Professional Development (30th Anniversary) Conference, Las Vegas, November 6-8, 2005.

Conference Coordinator, First National Deaf People of Color Conference, March 29-April 1, 2007, Indianapolis.

Conference Coordinator, Deaf Pilialoha: Deaf Japanese-American Friendship Conference, June 21-25, 2009, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Conference Coordinator, Second National Deaf People of Color Conference, June 25-27, 2010, Portland, Oregon.

Author

Published and edited Deaf Rochesterians’ Newsmagazine, December 1987-June 1989, a local independent newsmagazine for the Rochester area.

New subsidiary, Deaf Life Press, published its first book,For Hearing People Only: Answers to Some of the Most Commonly Asked Questions About the Deaf Community, its Culture, and the “Deaf Reality,” in September 1992. Second edition was published in August 1993. Now in its eleventh printing.

Great Deaf Americans: The Second Edition (by Matthew S. Moore and Robert F. Panara, completely revised and expanded). Published in August 1996.

Author, “The Great Treasure Hunt: What We Can Learn from Researching ‘Deaf History'” for “Deafness: Historical Perspectives, A Deaf American Monograph” Volume 46, edited by Mervin D. Garretson. Published in 1996.

Publisher and Co-Editor-in-Chief, DEAF LIFE, 1986-present. Responsibilities entail handling all business aspects of publication of an independent monthly magazine; some editorial duties; layout and design; negotiating with advertisers and printers; arranging interviews; supervising staff and contributors; making final decisions on content of magazine; etc. Regular monthly publication began in July 1988. In July 1998, DEAF LIFE celebrated 10th anniversary and entered 11th year of publication.

Beyond ASL Series: “This ain’t Flipping the Bird” by Matthew S. Moore & Cynthia Sanders. Published in 2016.

Activist

Since founding his company, Matthew has given numerous presentations—informal talks, lectures, and keynote and commencement addresses. Whether talking about his experiences as a multimedia entrepreneur, Deaf history, Deaf-community politics, backstabbing, American Sign Language and education for deaf children, growing up Deaf, communication issues, the importance of responsibility (“the ability to respond”), or conducting a workshop, he is a dynamic and inspiring motivational speaker who is able to reach the hearts of audiences of teachers, community-service professionals, interpreters, parents, and students alike. He has used his status as a prominent Deaf person to encourage young deaf people to aim high, dream big, and take responsibility for their lives— while promoting greater visibility of Deaf people and smashing stereotypical notions of what they can and can’t do.

Founded We the Deaf People, a civic-advocacy organization, gained 501(c)3 status in early 2016.

Founded Deaf People United, an activist-lobbying organization, gained 501(c)4 status in early 2016.

Founded Deaf Political Action Committee (DeafPAC), gained PAC status in early 2016.

October 17, 2015: We the Deaf People held the first of three events in New York State, in conjunction with Apple Stores.

WTDP coordinated the first Deaf Community Open Forum on Medical Services, in conjunction with University of Rochester Medical Services/Strong Memorial Hospital, held on February 26, 2016.

Conducted a WTDP/DPU training seminar, Making History Together, Rochester, June 10-11, 2016.

Conducted a WTDP training seminar, Advocacy with a New Twist, Hartford,, November 10 –14, 2016.

Met with 29 Monroe County legislators and formally introduced WTDP, November 15, 2016.

Appointed to two advisory boards: the Deaf Patient and Family Advisory Council of University of Rochester Medical Center/Strong Memorial Hospital, and Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing That Use Sign Language Advisory Committee of Rochester Regional Health /Rochester General Hospital, around 2016.

Founded National Deaf Patient Care Council (NDPCC) as a division of WTDP, 2018.

Hosted the first NDPCC Open Forum, Panara Theatre, NTID, January 23, 2019.

April 6, 2019: Conducted WTDP Summit Meeting in Indianapolis, April 6, 2019.

Yellow Shield Placard/Envelope publicity/dissemination campaign launched on June 21, 2019.

Actor

Director

Leader

Publisher

Entrepreneur

Producer

Author

Activist

C’est Autre Chose

(a musical revue co-written, co-produced, and directed by Moore)

The playbill for C’est Autre Chose.

“Advocacy & Access” at BOCES

The Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES, pronounced “bowsess”)‚ is a county-wide network of public special-education schools. BOCES also provides support services to mainstreamed deaf students. Matthew gave the keynote address at Advocacy and Access: Support Service Personnel’s Eighth Annual Conference on Mainstreaming Students Who Are Deaf or Hearing-Impaired, May 6-7, 1994.

Deaf Heritage Week at Indiana School for the Deaf, 1993

In September 1993, Matthew participated in ISD’s Deaf Heritage Week. He delivered the keynote address for ISD’s celebration, toured the classrooms, talked with students, and answered questions. He received a touching personal note from Mary and Bob Kovatch, Matthew’s former teachers (below), and a more formal but equally warm letter of thanks from faculty members David Reynolds (bottom).

DEAF LIFE’s cover story commemorating ISD’s
Sesquicentennial was published in July 1994.

ISDAA Sesquicentennial Plaque

During ISD’s Sesquicentennial Celebration, Moore received this plaque from the ISD Alumni Association in recognition of his services to the Deaf Community as publisher of DEAF LIFE. It’s shaped like the State of Indiana.

Deaf Magazine

(pilot TV magazine-format series)

Deaf Magazine got unanimously favorable reviews from viewers and critics.

Table

(silent video)

Table contains no dialogue. It isn’t mime, either. The characters communicate solely through expression, glance, and movement. What’s going on here? Tension, desire, conflict? The interpretation is up to the viewer.

The cast of Table: from left, Susan Smith, Peter Cook, Matthew S. Moore, Matt Hudson, and Pat Frawley.

Cook and Moore have a dialogue-less conversation as Smith and Hudson look on with amusement. (Photographer unknown)

Cue Up

(experimental play)

Cue Up was an abstract play that relied mostly on body language, using only a few signs.
It toured a few cities.

Matthew is using one of the script’s repeated signs: “typewriter.” (Photographer unknown)

33rd SERID

The Southeast Regional Institute on Deafness brings together VR, support-service, and deaf-education professionals for several days of conference sessions and workshops. The first SERID was held in 1971. Each annual conference rotates among the Southeastern states (Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Kentucky). The 33rd conference (SERID 2003) was held in Mobile, Alabama. Matthew, already a favorite among Alabamian audiences, was invited to give a performance.

SERID nnouncement card.
The conference theme used charming treasure-map graphics.

From the SERID prospectus.

The program-book cover.

OAD Award, 1997

On October 18, 1997, Moore gave the keynote address at the Ohio Association of the Deaf convention in Columbus, and received this certificate as a token of thanks.

AAD’s 38th Biennial Conference

The 38th Biennial Conference of the Alabama Association of the Deaf was held from June 21 through 23 in Huntsville. This marked another “first” for Matthew. In addition to conducting a workshop, he gave a memorable performance that included poems, original signsongs, and his unique brand of ASL humor. The audience was dazzled. The images above show the program-book cover and the page noting some of his achievements.

American Deaf Play Creators’ Festival II

Matthew served as Producer of the Second American Deaf Play Creators’ Festival, designed to encourage Deaf playwrights, directors, and performers to develop and stage new ASL works.

Second Deaf Play Creators’ Festival playbill cover.
To view the complete playbill: adpcf.pdf

Matthew received this congratulatory E-mail from NTID Dean T. Alan Hurwitz.

13th American College Theatre Festival,

Region 2, 1981

Matthew participated in the 13th American College Theatre Festival, held at the University of Delaware in January 1981. Representing RIT, he was one of 10 regional finalists who earned commendatiuon for the excellence of their acting.

This “Excellence in Acting’ certificate was awarded to him as a token of recognition.

National Theatre of the Deaf

(Professional Theatre School)

Matthew served as producer of the 1980 NTD Summer Program’s “Sum-Up Show,”
staged in late June.

He was assistant director of one of the staged readings of the 4th Annual Deaf Playwrights, also in June 1980.

At Writers & Books

Matthew participated in the Deaf Poetry Series sponsored by Writers & Books, a literary center/store/gallery/auditorium/stage housed in an attractive and imaginatively renovated old police station—one of the city’s landmarks and a prime cultural resource.

At Jazzberry’s

Jazzberry’s Restaurant & Cabaret was a colorful, much-loved (and controversial) Rochester institution for several years. Originally housed in a recycled firehouse with the Genesee Co-op’s array of studios, shops, and offices (it later relocated to East Avenue), it featured good vegetarian fare, lots of live music, and a variety of “alternative” performances, including ASL poetry. For a time, it was Rochester’s chief off-campus venue for ASL performers. In early 1987, Matthew gave one of his exciting performances here.

The Diviners

April 21-24, 1983

Matthew served as one of three sign-language consultants for NTID’s Spring 1983 production of The Diviners (script by Jim Leonard, Jr.).

Commencement address, Ohio School for the Deaf

Matthew gave the Commencement Address at
OSD’s commencement ceremonies on June 10, 1994.
Afterwards, he received this award as a token of appreciation for
his work with DEAF LIFE.

Deaf Rochesterians' NewsMagazine

Deaf Rochesterians’ Newsmagazine, December 1987-June 1989, an independent local newsmagazine and Deaf Community calendar

Workshop at Southport High School

Above: this visitor’s pass, with the school logo—Matthew’s favorite bird—
is a souvenir of an exciting day.

Having come to Indianapolis to coordinate ASLTA’s Second National Professional Development Conference, Matthew took a bit of time to “visit around.” At the Conference, Glenn Carlstrand, Matthew’s old teacher at ISD, now at Southport High School, invited him to talk with his sign-language students, giving them an invaluable opportunity to practice their signing skills with a master. Matthew visited two classes. Students “interviewed” him about his life, schooling, and career. It was an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Gallaudet University’s Deaf Executives in
Residence Program, September 1998

Matthew participated in Gallaudet University’s Deaf Executives in Residence Program at the School of Management. On September 8 and 9, 1998, he visited classes, fielded questions, and discussed business topics with students. This letter accompanied an inscribed silver-plated apple, the “token of appreciation.”

2001 Veditz ASL Festival
at Northeastern University, Boston

Above and below: the ASL Festival prospectus

Below: The ASL Festival program-book cover

Matthew participated in Northeastern University’s 2001 Veditz ASL Festival. His presentations at the 2000 Festival having been enthusiastically received, he was invited back. On Thursday, May 10, he led an informal “Coffeehouse” question-answer session, and on Saturday, May 12, led an all-day “Great Deaf Americans” workshop.

Pathways to Your Future, 2000

Matthew participated in the 2000 “Pathways to Your Future” summer program for Deaf children, sponsored by Monroe #1 BOCES, on June 29 and 30, 2000. As this letter from Marty Nelson-Nasca shows, he helped organize a mock trial and presided as judge—all on short notice, but he did a fine job of it.

Deaf Writers/Storytellers Conference, The Learning Center for Deaf Children

Framingham, MA, October 22-23, 1992

Shortly afterwards, Matthew received this appreciative letter (below) with a copy of the newsletter.

UNHM, November 2002

Matthew participated in the University of New Hampshire’s Deaf Lecture Serieswith a well-received presentation on “Deaf Reality 101.” He also gave a “Great Deaf Americans” slideshow to students at Memorial High School, a pop quiz and some enlightenment to MHS’s ASL class, and a workshop on “Oppression” at a meeting of Allies, a group of advocates who seek better relations between the Deaf and Hearing communities. It was an exciting and memorable experience for the audience, the hosts, and for Matthew too.

Flyer announcing the UNHM lecture

Letter of thanks from Susan Wolf-Downes,
Executive Director of Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

Dedication of Hoy Field at Gallaudet University

On April 7, 2001, Gallaudet University formally dedicated its baseball diamond as “Hoy Field,” to honor the memory of William Ellsworth “Dummy” Hoy, the first deaf major-leaguer. Matthew, who chairs the Hoy Committee, which is lobbying to have have Hoy inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, was invited to give a brief talk at the dedication.

It is known that Hoy visited the campus in 1888, during his stint with the Washington Nationals (also known as the Senators). He was impressed with the beauty of the campus, and enjoyed meeting students there. He may have participated in a game or two on this same field, which has been in continuous use since the campus was laid out in the mid-1860s. This would make Hoy Field one of the very few diamonds where Hoy played that are still in existence.

Hoy never had the opportunity to attend the college, but would have likely proved to be an excellent student. Charles Warren Carraway, a Gallaudet student-journalist who interviewed him in 1888, reported that he admired the college and may have entertained some wistful thoughts, but appeared to be content with his career as a baseball player. Hoy was serious and passionate and baseball, and was happiest when he was outfielding, although the Washingtons were a notoriously weak team.

Matthew received this plaque as a token of thanks for his work in publicizing Hoy’s career and achievements. The well-known studio photograph of Hoy, from an Old Judge tobacco card, was taken during his rookie year with the Washingtons in 1888.

Miriam Skaggs, Hoy’s granddaughter-in-law, flew in from California to attend the ceremony. She posed with Dr. I. King Jordan, President of Gallaudet University, proudly holding her plaque. Miriam is married to Carson Skaggs, one of three sons of Hoy’s younger daughter Clover.

Mrs. Skaggs also posed with Matthew on the happy occasion. Matthew is working on the first full-scale biography of Hoy, and Hoy’s family has been extremely helpful—sharing information, photographs, and leads. Naturally, they’re enthusiastic partisans of the campaign to have Hoy inducted into the Hall of Fame.

After the game (Gallaudet Bisons vs. Christendom College Crusaders), Matthew enjoyed a chat with Dr. Jordan, an old acquaintance.

Allies 2000 Conference

On Saturday morning, November 4, 2000, Matthew gave one of his dynamic presentations, “Stuck in the Bucket: What It’s Like to Grow Up Deaf,” at the Allies 2000 Conference in New Haven, Connecticut. That evening, he signed copies of For Hearing People Only.

The conference schedule.

The envelope from Matthew’s registration packet.

This attractive certificate was presented to him as an acknowledgement of his participation.

YLC ’99

Matthew participated in the 1999 session of the NAD’s Youth Leadership Camp at Camp Taloali in Stayton, Oregon. As usual,, he delighted and inspired the campers and staff, and as usual, received rave reviews.

Illinois DHS/RCD Presentation

In March 1998, the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Services for Persons Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing invited Matthew to give a motivational presentationn at the Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf Statewide Meeting, held at the Matteson Holiday Inn in Matteson, Illinois. He gave his presentation on May 20, 1998, encouraging his audience to recognize that they could make or break themselves.

Lecture at Tower A. RIT/NTID

In 1991, NTID’s Deaf Culture Speaker Series invited Matthew to talk to students, faculty, and staff about his experiences as a publisher and businessman. Tower A lobby is a popular meeting place and site for informal public presentations.

Great Deaf Americans talk at Barnes & Noble

On April 26, 1997, Matthew and Robert F. Panara gave a talk at a local Barnes & Noble about Great Deaf Americans: The Second Edition. Panara was the primary author of the first edition of Great Deaf Americans, and had assisted with the preparations for the new edition. Above are the first and third pages of the Barnes & Noble Events calendar listing the talk.

Boston Public Library presentation

Matthew gave a Great Deaf Americans presentation-slideshow at
the Boston Public Library on September 26 and 27, 1996.
Below is BPL’s letter of thanks.

Show Me Symposium, 1996

On February 24, 1996, Moore gave a presentation, “Literacy 101: Giving Deaf Children the Basics,” at the Show Me Symposium: Educating Children Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, in Columbia, Missouri. This description is taken from the program book.

Lectures at Johnson County Community College
during Deaf Awareness Week, Spring 1995

Matthew participated in the Deaf Awareness Week festivities and educational events (March 25-30 and April 1, 1995) sponsored by the Gallaudet University Regional Center at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas (over the state border from the south suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri). The four photos below, taken at one of his three lectures, capture a glimpse of his dynamic stage presence.

NTID’s ASL Lecture Series

This is the letter of invitation from Barbara Ray Holcomb, an old friend.

CELEBRATION ’94
at University of California, Berkeley

Matthew gave a presentation at this festival, a celebration of Deaf creativity
in the fine and performing arts.

TDC’s 3rd Annual Conference, 1992

On November 7, 1992, Matthew gave a luncheon talk at
TDC’s 3rd Annual Conference in Tyler. He discussed such topics as politics in the Deaf community and working with the media.

Keynote Address
Indiana School for the Deaf, Commencement 2001

On May 18, Matthew gave a rousing address to ISD’s Class of 2001, alumni, faculty/staff, parents, and supporters. He was valeductorian of the Class of 1977. This marked the first time ISD had invited him to give a Commemcement Day address.

The March/April 2001 issue of the Silent Hoosier, the statewide Deaf Community newsletter, contained an appreciative firsthand account of Matthew’s address to the new graduates and their families.