Johnston, Paul

Born deaf and raised in Los Angeles; attended the California School for the Deaf until age 13, transferring to the Oregon School for the Deaf, where he graduated. First deaf student to receive a BFA degree from Rochester Institute of Technology. Member of the National Theatre of the Deaf troupe for a while beginning in 1975. M.S. degree from Penn State University, 1980, and Ph.D. from the same university in 1988. Taught experimental theater at NTID and the Model Secondary School for the Deaf before joining the Gallaudet University faculty as an instructor in fine arts. One of the pioneers and founders of the De'VIA movement.