LitFest 2025: Poetry, Comedy & Storytelling in American Sign Language with NuNu Davis & Lisa McBee

Perhaps the most beautiful thing about language are the endless ways it can take shape, from the spoken and written word to physical, corporeal form. In this LitFest program, City of Asylum welcomes Deaf storytellers and poets sharing work in American Sign Language (ASL) and Visual Vernacular (VV).

While ASL is its own language, with its own grammar structure separate from English, VV is a storytelling and poetic technique that comes to life through body language and facial expressions, offering a more interpretive means of expression with a feeling and vibe all its own. Each of these language art forms seeks to expand and enrich the act of storytelling, proving that you do not need sound to create points of connection. 

This program, hosted by former ASL Poet Laureate of Allegheny County Mj Shahen, features performances by two Pittsburgh-based storytellers—KJ Johnstein and Val Wojton—as well as longer storytelling performances by Baltimore-based Deaf comedian NuNu Davis and Washington, DC–based Deaf storyteller Lisa McBee.

The performances will be followed by an audience Q&A. 

Hearing folks are welcome! ASL interpretation to be provided by interpreters Jenni Bloodworth, Elle Brokenshire, Heather Gray, and Joshua Stresing.

About the Artists:

Antines “NuNu” Davis was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. When attending college in Minnesota, she became the first Black Deaf female to win the Miss Deaf Minnesota title in 1991. She loves to share ASL stories with the Deaf community, including having shared a few stories as part of the visionaries of the Creative Arts-ISM at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. She is actively involved in several organizations in the Deaf community, such as Deaf Women of Color, National Deaf People of Color, and the Baltimore Charter of the National Black Deaf.

Lisa McBee was born in Gardena, CA. At three years old, she was diagnosed as profoundly deaf in both ears. At the age of six, her family relocated to Missouri, where Lisa then attended Missouri School for the Deaf located in Fulton, Missouri. Since then she has hosted and entered numerous deaf contests, acted and participated in making many Deaf videos, and is involved in ASL casting in the film industry. She deeply embraces deaf life and culture, constantly expanding her knowledge and sharing her talent and experiences in the deaf community. Lisa has a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts Visual Communications and is currently based in Washington, D.C.

Maryjean (Mj) Shahen writes poetry and then translates it into ASL. Previously, Mj worked for years as a counselor and trainer for Deaf-Blind and Deaf individuals with multiple intellectual disabilities, using various technologies and visual cues for instruction and visual/tactual communication. She holds a BS from Gallaudet University and an MS from Hofstra University, and she served in the Peace Corps in Kenya. Mj was also a judge and consultant for the TV game show SignTacTic. Currently, Mj is the ASL Coordinator and an associate professor at CCAC.

About Your Visit: 

The in-house restaurant, Cucina Alfabeto, is open for brunch from 9:30 to 2 p.m. and for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Please call 412-435-1111 to make a reservation.