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Linda BoveAmerican deaf actress.
Date of Birth: 30.11.1945
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Linda Bove: A Biography
- National Theater of the Deaf and Recognition
- Sesame Street and Other Acting Roles
- Deaf Advocacy and Deaf West Theater Company
- Continuing Advocacy Work
Linda Bove: A Biography
Early Life and EducationLinda Bove was born on November 30, 1945, in Garfield, New Jersey. Both her mother and father were deaf. As a child, she attended St. Joseph School for the Deaf in the Bronx, New York, and the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf in Trenton, New Jersey. Bove completed her high school education in 1963 and went on to study library science at Gallaudet University. It was during her college years that she developed an interest in theater and participated in several theatrical productions.
National Theater of the Deaf and Recognition
During her final year at Gallaudet University, Bove began training at the National Theater of the Deaf through their summer school program. She became a member of the theater company and played an integral role in promoting the art of deaf actors. Bove's talent and dedication were recognized in 1974 when she received an award from the Italian-American organization AMITA for her work on television.
Sesame Street and Other Acting Roles
From 1971 to 2003, Bove portrayed the character of Linda the librarian on the children's television program 'Sesame Street'. Through her role, she taught thousands of children sign language and addressed various issues related to the deaf community. Her portrayal on the show is recognized as "the longest continuous role played by a deaf actor in television history." Bove also appeared in an episode of the television series 'Happy Days' as Allison, Fonzie's deaf girlfriend. She can be seen in the soap opera 'Search for Tomorrow' and several plays, including the production of 'Children of a Lesser God', which was later adapted into a film.
Deaf Advocacy and Deaf West Theater Company
In the 1970s, Bove and some of her colleagues formed the 'Little Theatre of the Deaf' to engage more deaf individuals, including children, in the world of theater. This company gained national and international attention and helped raise awareness about the communication needs of the deaf community. In 1979, Bove and the National Theater of the Deaf embarked on a world tour, covering a distance of 30,000 miles. The highlight of the tour was their successful reception in Japan, where Bove received widespread recognition and had the opportunity to engage with the royal family.
Bove was one of the founders of the 'Deaf West Theater Company' in Los Angeles, the first theater company to employ deaf actors and actresses. She played a role in the company's adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's 'Saint Joan', which was performed solely in American Sign Language without the use of spoken words. In addition to her involvement with the Deaf West Theater Company, Bove actively participated in various projects related to the deaf community, particularly those involving deaf children. She also lent her voice to the animated film 'The Land Before Time IV', translating the speech of dinosaur characters into sign language on screen. Bove released several videos, including 'Sign Me a Story', to further promote deaf awareness and communication.
Continuing Advocacy Work
Bove's role on 'Sesame Street' from 1971 to 2003 helped increase knowledge about deaf culture and shattered stereotypes surrounding deafness. Today, she continues to work tirelessly for the betterment of the deaf community and remains an influential figure in the field of deaf advocacy.
