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Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Em Prendergast on Deaf Representation, Queer Stories, and Breaking Barriers
Em Prendergast joins Harvey Morton to discuss their role in Deafinitely Theatre’s groundbreaking production of Barrier(s) by Eloise Pennycott. Em shares their journey as an actor working across British Sign Language, Sign Supported English, and spoken English, while offering candid insights into the challenges faced by deaf and queer communities in the arts. From their personal experience with hearing loss to their passionate advocacy for inclusive storytelling, Em delivers a message that resonates far beyond the stage: “Put your money where your mouth is… because you will not learn if you don’t learn directly from the source.” Em discusses their role as Alana in Barrier(s), a journalist who has “all the right language” but struggles to support their deaf partner The unexpected journey of learning BSL for fun, only to lose their hearing shortly after Growing up working class and how theatre provided access to education and self-discovery The importance of representing intersectional identities: “The deaf queer community is thriving… but you just don’t see that representation” Em’s exciting new project: a lesbian adaptation of Lorca’s Yerma featuring both spoken English and BSL Practical advice for theaters wanting to become more inclusive Where to See Barrier(s) The Rep, Birmingham: October 18-25, 2025 HOME, Manchester: November 6-8, 2025 Camden People’s Theatre, London: November 11-29, 2025 Tickets available at deafinitelytheatre.co.uk/Event/barriers Follow Em Prendergast on Instagram: @emprenempren Deafinitely Theatre - The UK’s first deaf-launched and led theater company Read our full article with Em on thisisqueerly.com For more from Queerly Radio, visit thisisqueerly.com and don’t forget to tune into Queerly LIVE with Harvey Morton, every Sunday morning from 8am to 10am on Queerly Radio. Tune in at queerly.radio or just ask your smart speaker to “play Queerly Radio”.
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