TWS Connections presents a chat with Chicago native Paul Raci, nominated for his supporting role in Sound of Metal.
Paul’s love and passion for music started at a very early age. The firstborn son of Deaf parents, they were concerned that with only ASL communication in the home there would not be enough auditory stimulation to model speech for him. So they bought a radio, record player and a TV. And sometimes all three were blaring at the same time. Sinatra, Elvis, Paul Anka, Otis Redding, and James Brown were constantly playing in the house. In high school, when the Beatles arrived, Paul ‘s Deaf Mother bought him his first guitar. When he made his first recording, he remembers putting the 45 RPM record on the turn table, and his Mom putting her hands on the stereo, to feel the vibration, and then signing to Paul “Beautiful” When Paul was drafted in the Vietnam war, he joined the US NAVY and did two combat tours on the U.S.S. Coral Sea ( an aircraft carrier ) as a Hospital Corpsman. When he returned, he started ROCKY, a band with influences of David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, and Aerosmith. The Band became a favorite in the Chicago music scene. Paul’s mom would often sneak into a venue where ROCKY was playing and made friends with everyone from the bouncer at the door to the bartenders.
Attending the University of Illinois on the G.I. Bill, Paul started to explore acting and the theatre. He was involved in countless productions in Chicago as a sign language interpreter as well as starting his own company, The Immediate Theatre, as an actor, where he was nominated for a Jefferson Award for his performance in Children of a Lesser God. He also started to explore “shadow signing” with his partner Joyce Cole at the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival and would often be interpreting four different plays in rep at a time.
Paul Raci is a Veteran, a CODA, (Child of Deaf Adults), a Court Certified American Sign Language Interpreter, a musician, and the lead singer/signer for the Hands of Doom ASL Rock Band, a Black Sabbath Tribute Band. In LA, as an Actor he has done over 10 productions with Deaf West Theater, including Of Mice and Men, Medea, Equus, A Christmas Carol, and most recently the acclaimed award winning production of David Mamet’s American Buffalo in ASL. Paul has been seen in many TV shows including Baskets opposite Zach Galifnakis, Goliath opposite Billy Bob Thornton, and Parks and Recreation opposite Amy Poehler. He just shot Butcher's Crossing opposite Nick Cage and The Mother opposite Jennifer Lopez.
Most recently, Paul can be seen in Sound of Metal, with Darius Marder writing and directing, starring opposite Riz Ahmed and Olivia Cooke. Paul considers himself to have a Deaf Heart. Being a part of Sound of Metal has his Deaf Heart overflowing with Gratitude.
This event is free to all Actives, CTWS families, and TWS subscribers. Register below.
Feb 6, 2022 6:30p.m.-8:30p.m.
