Sandra Mae Frank

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Sandra Mae Frank
Born (1990-03-21) March 21, 1990 (age 34)
Louisville, Kentucky, US
Alma materGallaudet University
OccupationActress
AwardsHelen Hayes Award (2023)
Ben Iden Payne Award (2023)

Sandra Mae Frank is an American actress. She is known for performances in theatre, films and TV series.

She advocates for deaf actors to be cast on the same level as hearing actors.[1] She acted as the first and, to this date, only deaf actor in Broadway's history to perform the lead role in a Broadway musical portraying Wendla in Spring Awakening. Frank expresses her view on deaf acting in an article for the Washington Post.[2] In this article, she uses and explains the hashtag DeafTalent and its background.

She starred in the NBC drama series New Amsterdam as Dr. Elizabeth Wilder, which began in September 2018 and concluded in January 2023; she joined the main cast in season 5 after entering the show as a recurring character in season 4. She was also cast in the film The Silent Hour, which was produced in 2023.

Frank works at the Deaf Austin Theatre in Austin, Texas as production manager.[3]

Early life and education[edit]

Sandra Mae Frank was born on March 21, 1990, in Louisville, Kentucky[4][better source needed]. She attended the Louisville Deaf Oral School, now known as Heuser Hearing Institute and Learning Academy, and duPont Manual High School. While attending duPont Manual High School, Frank acted in the Youth Performing Arts School production of Crimes of the Heart.[5]

She graduated from Gallaudet University with a degree in Theatre Arts[6] in 2013.[7]

Career[edit]

In 2015, Frank acted in the role of Wendla in the Broadway musical Spring Awakening which included hearing and deaf actors, including Marlee Matlin. "(...) the young female protagonist, Wendla Bergmann, is played by the deaf Sandra Mae Frank, who uses sign language to deliver her lines"[8] Director Michael Arden said "Frank has developed Wendla into a character with more depth and understanding of a girl living in the late 19th century." Frank sign-sang her role in cooperation with a hearing singer.[9]

Frank acted as Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma in 2016.[10] Also in this performance, hearing and deaf actors acted together on stage. "Frank demonstrated the power of movement and facial expression as they performed without speaking while others spoke their lines for them. A truly poignant scene was the one where Perchik proposes to Hodel, then they ask for Tevye's blessings rather than his permission."[11]

She was part of the cast in the horror film Soul to Keep in 2018.[12] In the same year, she acted on the stage of Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma for Fun Home.[13] In 2019, Frank appeared as Amy in the science-fiction film Multiverse as a member of a group of students who experiment with the connections between different versions of the universe.[14] Also in this year, she acted in the romantic Christmas film Season of Love.[15]

Frank had a guest appearance as the deaf student Abigail in the show Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, in episode 9 of the first season, where she sign-singing interpreted Rachel Platten's "Fight Song" in ASL, while the voice is replaced by a cello.[16][17]

In 2021, Frank entered the NBC TV show New Amsterdam at the beginning of season 4, joining the team of Dr. Goodwin (Ryan Eggold) in the role of deaf oncologist Dr. Elizabeth Wilder.[18] Her role was promoted to main character in season 5 and participated until the ending of the show in January 2023.[19] Again she worked together with Marlee Matlin, who appeared in a guest role. Eventually Frank's role inspires Dr. Goodwin to learn ASL.

She performed the ASL synchronization of the US national anthem and "America the Beautiful" at the 2022 56th Super Bowl in Inglewood, California.[20][21]

In 2022 Frank was co-director of the musical The Music Man at the Olney Theatre.[22][23] Her work was recognized with a Helen Hayes Award in 2023.[24] "The fact that a production as ambitious as this works and runs so smoothly is due to the two directors Baron and Frank."[25]

In March 2023, Frank acted in the title role of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Cinderella in a mixed deaf and hearing production of Zach Theatre in cooperation with Deaf Austin Theatre.[26] She was awarded the B. Iden Payne Award for "Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical".[27] Frank was cast in 2022 for the 2023 film The Silent Hour in the role of Ava, co-starring with Joel Kinnaman, Mekhi Phifer and Mark Strong.[28][29]

Personal life[edit]

Frank is deaf, having lost her hearing at the age of three.[30] In most of her performances, she acts using American Sign Language (ASL).

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2014 Beautiful Sounds of Love Kylie
2015 Harmony Short film
2016 The Sound of Fear Ivy Short film
2017 The Strength Within You Woman Short film
2017 Garage Heat Zoe Short film
2018 The Pastman Woman Short film
2018 Soul to Keep Tara
2019 Multiverse Amy Film first titled as Entangled
2019 Season of Love Kenna
TBA The Silent Hour Ava Cast announced as of January 17, 2023

TV appearances[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2015 Switched at Birth Receptionist
2018 Reverse Polarity Mary
2019 Daybreak Victoria
2020 Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Abigail performance of "Fight Song", Season 1, episode 9 "Zoey's Extraordinary Silence"
2021–2023 New Amsterdam Dr. Elizabeth Wilder Recurring role in season 4, main role in season 5

Theatre appearances and activities[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2015 Spring Awakening Wendla Broadway
2016 Fiddler on the Roof Hodel Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma
2018 Fun Home Joan Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma
2022 The Music Man none Co-director
2023 Cinderella Cinderella Zach Theatre with Deaf Austin Theatre

Awards[edit]

Year Award Category Theatre performance
2023 Helen Hayes Award Co-direction The Music Man
2023 B. Iden Payne Award Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical Cinderella

References[edit]

  1. ^ Adams, Kirby. "Manual grad turned Broadway star says being deaf 'a blessing'". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  2. ^ "Deafness is having a cultural moment. So why are deaf roles still handed to hearing actors?". Washington Post. 2021-10-06. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  3. ^ "Our Team". Deaf Austin Theatre. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  4. ^ Vikas (2023-03-08). "Sandra Mae Frank Wiki, Biography, Boyfriend, Age, Wikipedia". Right Rasta. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  5. ^ Adams, Kirby. "Louisville native Sandra Mae Frank to perform National Anthem at Super Bowl. What to know". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  6. ^ "Sandra Mae Frank's Good Medicine". Television Academy. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  7. ^ Weinstock, Robert (2022-02-11). "Super Bowl LVI features alumni performers | University Communications". Gallaudet University. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  8. ^ Isherwood, Charles (2015-09-28). "Review: 'Spring Awakening' by Deaf West Theater Brings a New Sensation to Broadway". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  9. ^ Kramer, Elizabeth. "Louisville native makes Broadway debut". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  10. ^ "Fiddler on the Roof". Lyric Theatre.
  11. ^ Hart, Franci. "Review: 'Fiddler On The Roof' Presents 'Charming' Story".
  12. ^ ul-Haq, Farid (April 2019). "Horror Film "Soul To Keep" Starring Deaf Actress Sandra Mae Frank Releasing This April". The Geekiary. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  13. ^ McDonnell, Brandy. "Interviews, photos and video: Deaf actress Sandra Mae Frank returns to OKC to co-star in Lyric Theatre's 'Fun Home'". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  14. ^ Lussier, Germain (20 September 2021). "Multiverse Hopes You Remember the Sci-Fi Concept Is So Hot Right Now".
  15. ^ Brittain, Susan. "Season of Love".
  16. ^ Wilson, Jonathon (2020-04-06). "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist season 1, episode 9 recap - "Zoey's Extraordinary Silence"". Ready Steady Cut. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  17. ^ Fierberg, Ruthie (April 3, 2020). "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Collaborates With Deaf West Theatre for a Special Episode". Playbill.
  18. ^ Starr, Michael (2022-02-22). "Sandra Mae Frank, who's deaf, blazes a trail in 'New Amsterdam'". New York Post. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  19. ^ Kraemer, Justine (2022-05-24). "'New Amsterdam' Promotes Sandra Mae Frank to Series Regular for Final Season | Tell-Tale TV". telltaletv.com. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  20. ^ McCay, Tara Massouleh (February 14, 2022). "Louisville Woman Signs National Anthem at Super Bowl". Southern Living.
  21. ^ Adams, Kirby (February 10, 2022). "Louisville native Sandra Mae Frank to perform National Anthem at Super Bowl. What to know". The Courier-Journal.
  22. ^ "The Music Man". Olney Theatre Center. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
  23. ^ Ford, Joshua (2022-05-18). "Olney Theatre Center Brings Together Deaf, Hearing, and Hard of Hearing Artists to Create a Radical and Joyous Music Man" (PDF). Olney Theatre Center.
  24. ^ "Helen Hayes Award Nominees and Recipients".
  25. ^ Brall, Susan (2022-07-03). "Theatre Review: 'The Music Man' at Olney Theatre Center". Maryland Theatre Guide. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
  26. ^ Abelman, Bob (2023-02-05). "Review: Zach Theatre & Deaf Austin Theatre's Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella". www.austinchronicle.com. Retrieved 2023-09-02.
  27. ^ "2022-2023 Winners and Nominees". bidenpayneawards. 2023-09-25. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  28. ^ Roxborough, Scott (2023-01-17). "Sandra Mae Frank, Mekhi Phifer Join Brad Anderson's 'The Silent Hour'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  29. ^ Ntim, Zac (2023-01-17). "'The Silent Hour': Mekhi Phifer & Sandra Mae Frank Join Joel Kinnaman And Mark Strong In The AGC Studios & Meridian Pictures Action Thriller". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  30. ^ Adams, Kirby. "Louisville native Sandra Mae Frank to perform National Anthem at Super Bowl. What to know". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
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