Children of a Lesser God

The landmark play Children of a Lesser God is told through a series of flashbacks from the perspective of James Leeds, a renegade teacher with an unconventional approach to education who is newly arrived at the New England School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. There he meets and becomes attracted to Sarah, an exceptionally intelligent, belligerent and beautiful young woman. He encourages her to set aside her life of isolation and frustration by learning to lip read but she refuses and is determined to live life on her own terms. Within the school and community, her choices become politicized and the breach between them grows. Is James trying to make Sarah over into his own image? Is her way of feeling and seeing life better? Is she resistant to change for other reasons? Can their love for each other help them transcend their differences? Winner of the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize, this production is directed by Rod Lathim, founder of Access Theatre.