Media & Reviews
Stratford Press, 14 July 2024
Special Jersey Boys showing in New Plymouth to cater for vision and hearing impaired
A special performance of New Plymouth Operatic Society’s Jersey Boys will allow everyone to enjoy theatre. On Sunday, July 14, the Operatic Society will run a hearing-impaired friendly show, with a New Zealand Sign Language interpreter on the side of the stage signing throughout.
Whanganui Midweek, 12 June 2024
Backstage pass: Milestone performance celebrating 150 years as Amdram Theatre
Amdram Theatre is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a production of the beloved musical Oliver!.
This milestone performance will feature sign language interpretation and audio description, ensuring that audiences of all abilities can partake in the celebration.
AM Show, 9 May 2024
Radio Interview
It's one of our official languages, and this week it's taking centre stage. Kelly Hodgins is a sign language 'performance interpreter' who makes theatre accessible for the deaf community. She signs at plays, musicals, comedy and will even be at this year's Coldplay concert!
Stuff, 17 February 2023
Concert sign language interpreters are going viral, so why don’t we do it more in NZ?
Deaf and Hard of Hearing people would love to be included in music events, says Kelly Hodgins, however there are a number of barriers preventing interpreters from taking the stage at music shows, one being lack of awareness.
National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 10 November 2022
NZSL Interpreted Theatre Inspiring Young Minds
This interview with Tim Bray Theatre Company discusses the role of NZSL interpreters in providing accessible theatre, with direct mention of Kelly's skills as an experience performance interpreter.
National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 9 September 2022
Spotlight on Sign Language
This interview with Auckland Theatre Company discusses the process of working with Kelly Hodgins to provide NZSL-interpreted shows. "I know that she works very hard on what is intended in the dialogue so that it is interpreted in the translation."
Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 2022
Matilda to put on extra show in New Plymouth with sign language and audio description
An additional performance of Matilda will include an NZSL interpreter standing to one side of the stage and sign the dialogue as its being delivered. "We are thrilled to work with Platform Interpreting New Zealand".
Whanganui Chronicle, 10 May 2021
NZ Sign Language Week: Phantom of the Opera to be signed
Amdram Theatre Whanganui is proud to present their first ever show accessible in New Zealand Sign Language. "We are so lucky to be working with Kelly and her team from Platform Interpreting NZ... it is wonderful that we can bring this opportunity to the deaf and HOH community of our region," says director Graham Dack.
All Right?, 29 October 2020
In Every Job That Must Be Done There Is An Element Of Fun
When virtual and online performances became the norm during the Covid-19 pandemic, the “arts went dark” for the Deaf community. It’s why this season of Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical is a particularly special one for New Zealand sign language interpreter, Kelly Hodgins, as she can help bring joy back into the lives of our Deaf community.
Arts Access Aotearoa, 7 September 2020
Opening up the arts to Deaf people
"My goal is to grow the performance interpreter pool with both hearing and Deaf interpreters to remove the barriers to access for the arts."
Kelly was profiled by Arts Access Aotearoa about her work as a performance interpreter.
Creative New Zealand, 28 February 2017
Shortland Street musical strikes chord with Deaf community
The opportunity to see a New Zealand Sign Language interpreted performance of Shortland Street—the Musical, on during the Auckland Arts Festival 2017, has struck a chord with Deaf and hard of hearing people. The two sign interpreters are Kelly Hodgins and Dale Thomas.
