Meet professional deaf dancer Joseph Fletcher, now starring in West End’s ‘Wicked’

My name is Joseph fletcher and I’m a professional dancer, currently performing in the hit West End musical WICKED. I was born deaf, profoundly deaf in the left ear and severely deaf in the right ear. I was born and raised by two hearing parents in Farnham, Surrey.

Where did you train in dance and in what styles?

I studied at Performers College in Essex, graduating in 2007 with a diploma in Dance Theatre and winner of the Boys Award. Being at a professional Dance College meant we had access to the best dance training and expertise possible. I studied dance in its many different forms.

Did your dance teachers make any adaptations in order to teach you?

Not really, or not intentionally. If I ever had any questions, I wasn’t afraid to raise my hands and ask. But otherwise, I’ve always had the attitude of ‘treat me exactly like everyone else’ and if I have to make an adaptions, it’s on me to make, not them.

While I do appreciate it when thoughts and consideration has been made without me mentioning or getting involved, it’s not something I’ve ever had to go out of my way to achieve. I tend to find myself adapting to each unique situation at hand on my own account purely out of ease and comfort to myself, as well as to everyone else.

I often get told that people forget I’m deaf, and I take that as testament to me being able to navigate through a hearing world, but equally I’m proud to be deaf, and don’t shy away from being proud of it.

When did you first realise you wanted to be a dancer?

I can’t really say what or when it was that I realised I wanted to be a dancer, I just couldn’t see myself doing anything else so it seemed like such a natural path for me to take.

I didn’t once think about my deafness being an obstacle in the way, and just pursued a career in theatre as best as anyone else could.

Is there anything in particular you have had to overcome or work around?

I guess, personally for me, the biggest obstacle I’ve had is in convincing the audition panel, casting and creatives that I am able to get the job done to the standard required.

I think while we’re all adapting and changing our prospective on diverse casting etc, there’s still a long way to go in shifting that confidence and faith in employing any persons of disability.

Speaking of diverse casting, there’s a difference between looking diverse and actually being diverse, this is a new obstacle I’m having to now face.

Has being deaf given you any advantages of any kind as a performer?

If anything, on a broader prospective, I do believe deaf performers are more in truth to what’s happening on stage than maybe a hearing person would be. We aren’t able to go onto auto pilot, for if we did, we would fall behind or get lost. We have to always be listening, so therefore, we are always present and in the moment truthfully when acting, singing or dancing.

We have to stay focused in order to know what’s being said, what’s being sung, or what’s being played to give us our intention move and dance. I know I find my own journeys within shows, by really studying and listening to the music so much that it becomes engraved into my body, and this is necessary for me to understand why the choreography is the way it is.

It’s the same with acting, I have to really listen to what’s being said to me, in the ways it’s being said, how’s it’s being said, who’s it being said to, in order to connect to how I feel, and consider how I respond.

I’m aware you’re part of Deaf Men Dancing, directed by Mark Smith – can you tell me how this came about? What has it being like being part of this group?

I first met Mark when I was around 13/14 as he was a teaching at a summer school I was at. It wasn’t till years later when an email found it’s way into my inbox about his thoughts and ideas in creating a dance company filled with deaf dancers and asking if I would be interested in getting involved.

It was a very unique experience as we weren’t sure if it would even be possible. But somehow, it just worked. We all have a very different understanding of music, dance, and background but with each of our own experiences and what we can and can’t hear we were able to create something really cool and special.

Due to the nature of the group, being so unique, it has come with challenges in trying to grow and expand, but equally because of the uniqueness, we have been very lucky to have been a part of some very, very cool projects. We have performed at some really exciting venues and events that I’m proud to have been a part of.

Congrats on your role in WICKED! Can you tell us about the experience?

WICKED is my first West End musical but not my first West End show as I’ve performed at the Peacock theatre with another show previously. I could literally write an entire book on this question, for WICKED has been a huge part of my professional career.

It’s definitely been a defining moment in proving to not only myself but to others that the impossible can be done when it comes to casting and that changes can be made if the right person is right for the job.

It wasn’t an easy ride getting into the show, as it took many auditions and a few ‘no’s’ before getting a yes, but the experience of being in it has mostly certainly made up for the heartbreak, sweat and tears in tenfold.

WICKED has become the soundtrack to my life and I’m so incredibly grateful for the opportunities it has given me and in the creative team in taking that leap of faith in hiring me.

What has been your favourite dance experience to date? Can you describe it?

How long have we got? I can list them!

Getting my first ever job.

Every time I fall over on stage.

Paralympic opening ceremony.

Opening night of WICKED.

10th anniversary of WICKED.

Closing night of WICKED.

Reopening WICKED post pandemic.

While I didn’t get the job, the audition for ROCKET MAN.

….I could go on!

How do you feel seeing Rose Ayling-Ellis on Strictly Come Dancing? What does this mean to you?

I think it’s amazing, though I have to confess I don’t watch Strictly and have only caught glimpses of Roses performances. I think she’s doing brilliantly. She’s doing the deaf community proud and also helping people to understand.

I don’t think the question should be what does it mean to me? I think it should be asked in a way of, what does it mean to hearing people? Deaf dancers, actors and performers have been around for a long time, this isn’t new.

It’s just the first time a lot of people have seen it done in a way they may not have expected it to be done before. We can do everything a hearing person can do, expect hear. And I think Rose being on Strictly is shifting that attitude and thought process so people realise that.

Do you have any advice or tips to offer budding dancers who are also deaf/hard of hearing?

Be proud of what makes you unique to everyone else. This is your power, and aren’t we lucky we get to connect to the world in a way no one else can?!

Finally, what is on your bucket list as a dancer? Is there anyone or a particular show you’d love to work with?

My goals now as a performer are theatre based. I would love to work on something at National Theatre and transfer to Broadway. The Old Vic has a special place in my heart and a season at the Regent Park Theatre would be absolutely lush.

But also, I don’t put pressure on myself, I was once told to be realistic with my career choices and honestly, I really hadn’t expected to still be performing 14 years after graduating. So, for as long as there’s still magic and light, every opportunity is one I’m grateful for.

You can follow Joseph on his social media pages at :
Instagram – josephjfletcher
Twitter – josephjfletcher