Treshelle Edmond is a deaf actress who has guest-starred in two television shows: House, M.D. and Glee. She also had a prominent role in a successful Deaf West Theater production of Spring Awakening. Born in San Bernardino, California, she attended school in Birmingham, Alabama and in Los Angeles, California where she was an All Star and All American Cheerleader. As a member of the All Star cheerleading team, Treshelle cheered in the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. She regularly does community service with various organizations like the Foundation for Junior Blind and the Zuma Beach clean-up program. She has received awards from the City of Los Angeles for her dedication to the DEAFestival-Los Angeles and her contributions to the deaf and hard of hearing community.

I remember my grandmother would always play the music from her vinyl record player and would sing to me songs by whoever was popular from the 1970’s and thereabouts. I was attracted to the emotion she put into the singing and just dance along with her. I had my first solo performance around the 4th which is when I performed “Eye on Sparrow.” I was very nervous, but that is when I realized that I love performing. I enjoy giving a performance that profoundly affects any audience that is watching me.

I have several performances that I am most proud of:

1. I was thrilled to be cast for an episode in two different highly popular television series: House MD and Glee. I gained so much experience from both television shows, and hope to have more opportunities like these to showcase my acting capabilities.

2. Deaf West Theatre gave me a chance in the role of Martha to express complex emotions and do so through ASL, giving the audience a chance to more clearly see my body language and facial expressions. This was a tough challenge for me. The role was emotionally exhausting but it was a joy for me to give all I had to perform in this theatrical production every night during the run. When the audience enjoys the performance is when I know I have done all I can.

3. I was an All-Star, All-American Cheerleader where I was selected to be part of an advanced team to perform at Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. I was the only one out of all of my cheerleading team to attend, and it was one of my proudest moments.

The Deafinit Models show in Las Vegas was my favorite modeling experience so far.

If you could give a young performance artist advice based on your experiences so far, what would you recommend that he/she should do?

I would ask them to ask themselves why they want to do this in the first place. Does performing bring them happiness? Then I would tell them to always have confidence and always give every performance with all of their heart. My basic advice would be: believe in yourself first before anyone else can believe in you.

My plans for the immediate future will be to reprise the role of Martha in the re-launch of Spring Awakening for Deafwest Theater in May 2015. The performances will be at the Wallis Center in Beverly Hills.

I am also hoping to find work in the movies, and pursue other acting opportunities. I want to continue to give inspirational performances. I would also love to set up a foundation for youth to help build their self-esteem.

I would be Elsa from Frozen because sometimes you just have to Let it Go.

I would love to overcome my fears including letting a tarantula spider walk on my arm or face, or sky diving.

I would be Storm from the X-Men and make it rain all the time. I love rain!

I would probably be Yoda the old wise one.

Alicia Keys’ Girl on Fire in American Sign Language featuring Treshelle

The ten questions Lipton asks are:

1. What is your favorite word?

Amor

2. What is your least favorite word?

Negative

3. What turns you on?

Seeing people do what they love.

4. What turns you off?

People who are not open-minded to accept perspectives different from their own, and those who are not honest with themselves.

5. What sound or noise do you love?

[Declined to comment]

6. What sound or noise do you hate?

[Declined to comment]

7. What is your favorite curse word?

[Declined to comment]

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Life Coach

9. What profession would you not like to do?

[Declined to comment]

10.If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

[Declined to comment]