National Theatre of the Deaf

The National Theatre of the Deaf (NTD) is an American theatre company founded in 1967, based in Connecticut. It is the oldest theatre company in the United States that has maintained a continuous history of domestic and international touring, as well as producing original works. NTD productions combine American Sign Language with spoken language to fulfill the theatre's mission statement of linking deaf and hearing communities, providing more exposure to sign language, and educating the public about deaf art. The NTD is affiliated with a drama school, also founded in 1967, and with the Little Theatre of the Deaf (LTD), established in 1968 to produce shows for a younger audience.

Before the National Theatre of the Deaf, there were no college-level theatre programs that supported deaf actors. Before the NTD was established, the three major deaf theatre groups were The New York Association of the Deaf, The New York Theatre Guild of the Deaf, and The Metropolitan Theatre Guild of the Deaf.

The first official performance of the NTD was a production of The Man With His Heart in the Highlands at Wesleyan University in 1967. NTD members participated in the first National and Worldwide Deaf Theatre Conference in 1994. Many deaf actors have earned acclaim through their work with the NTD in performances, conferences, and community outreach. The NTD has received several awards, including the Tony Award for Theatrical Excellence. The company has visited each of the 50 states during over 150 national tours, as well as over 30 countries.