This is what the press can write about Okan:
Okan Seese is deaf, gay and half Turkish. And he is Germany's only deaf comedian who also performs for hearing audiences. In his solo show "Lieber taub als gar kein Vogel", expectations are turned on their head: An interpreter, who is not paid per hour but per laugh, translates the signs for the audience. And Okan only pays for laughs that he can hear.
Are you wondering whether deaf people can do anything with music? How they hear their alarm clock? Or whether they are even allowed to drive a car? How do deaf people actually make phone calls? Can they dial the emergency number? And do they get turned on by moaning during sex?
Okan talks about his everyday life with great self-irony and from an unusual perspective for hearing people. He skillfully plays with stereotypes, only to break them again in the next moment. His humor is surprising and honest and his facial expressions are enchanting. Okan takes us into a fascinating world with a strong community, a rich culture and his own expressive language.
This is what Okan writes about himself:
"Hello, my name is Okan Seese and I am deaf. That's why my neighbors love me, because I've never called the police for disturbing the peace. But when we play Activity together, the mood can quickly change, at the latest after my tenth win in a row.
But what can I do, I grew up in a deaf family and everyone around me was always signing.
As a deaf, gay person of Turkish descent, my view of things rarely conforms to the so-called norm. Diversity is part of my existence and art in its diversity is a vital form of expression for me. I am an actor, music translator,
sign language poet, presenter and comedian. My work has already won me several prizes at sign language festivals, so people in the deaf scene have already heard of me...
I mean: they know my name there.
But the world is not enough, so I want to finally share my love of stand-up comedy with the small group of hearing people. To make sure it's not just fun for me, I've brought comedian Archie Clapp on board to translate my jokes into his language for hearing people at the same time. Sounds crazy? It is! And that's exactly why the whole thing is so much fun!
With every show, the certainty grows that humor is a universal language that can build a bridge between deaf and hearing people. So come and see for yourself and be my guest at 'Lieber taub als gar kein Vogel'."