Academy Award-winner Troy Kotsur tells UNCSA grads to “feed your spark … ignite your spark”

Academy Award-winning actor Troy Kotsur told graduates at UNCSA's commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18, that they should feed their spark.

“My advice to the class of 2024 is, first off, do not ignore your spark,” he said, using American Sign Language (ASL). “You’re the only one who knows this spark. You’re the only one who can develop and feed your spark. You need to constantly sharpen your craft. Do what you love doing.

“Remember that the art of storytelling is its own language,” he continued. “Theater, film, television, dance and music are also visual languages. Become fluent in more than one language.”

Troy Kotsur during the UNCSA 2024 Commencement Ceremony

Troy Kotsur during the UNCSA 2024 Commencement Ceremony / Photo: Wayne Reich

Kotsur, the first Deaf male actor to win an Academy Award, also won BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild, Critics’ Choice, Independent Spirit and Gotham awards for his best supporting actor role in “CODA” (2021), which stands for children of Deaf adults.

In addition to signing, Kotsur used an ASL interpreter, Justin Maurer, to deliver his address.

“Looking into the young eyes of this audience, you all remind me of myself,” Kotsur said. “I can see that spark burning in your eyes. Our creative energy feeds off each other. …

“Class of 2024, ignite your spark. Burn, baby burn!  Let’s see that Deaf applause!” he concluded.

Deaf applause is waving both hands in the air in a twisting motion.

Chancellor Brian Cole at the UNCSA 2024 Commencement Ceremony

Chancellor Brian Cole at the UNCSA 2024 Commencement Ceremony / Photo: Wayne Reich

Approximately 282 students (207 undergraduate and 77 graduate) graduated at the University Commencement, held at 10 a.m. at the Benton Convention Center downtown. Another 118 High School students graduated at the High School Commencement, held at 2:30 p.m., also at Benton. Kotsur also spoke at the High School ceremony.

Both ceremonies were led by UNCSA Chancellor Brian Cole, who signed the introduction of Dr. Troy Kotsur to the audience after presenting Kotsur with an honorary doctorate.

Growing up before Closed Captioning, Kotsur said he enjoyed watching “Tom and Jerry” cartoons because “the storytelling was extremely visual and entertaining even without spoken dialogue.” He would perform scenes from the cartoon for his fellow Deaf students on the bus taking them to their Deaf school.

“They experienced joy in my storytelling. And that was where I felt a spark,” Kotsur said. “Somewhere deep inside of me a small flame was lit. I knew from that moment on that I had to be a storyteller.”

Kotsur studied theater, film and television at Gallaudet University. Although he loved film and TV, he said, “the only opportunities for Deaf actors existed on the theater stage,” so he began performing in plays at venues including National Theatre of the Deaf.

UNCSA students from the graduating class of 2024

UNCSA students from the graduating class of 2024 / Photo: Wayne Reich

“In 1987, a fellow Deaf actor, Marlee Matlin, was the first Deaf person to win an Oscar, and that gave me hope,” he said. “If Marlee could do it, then I could, too. She kept my hope alive. I felt that spark inside of me begin to burn a little brighter. My flame began to burn a little stronger.”

Matlin starred with Kotsur in “CODA,” as Deaf parents of a hearing child who is torn between pursuing her dream and leaving her family.

Kotsur recounted many lean years spent struggling in regional theater until ending up at Deaf West Theatre in Los Angeles, where he became a star. Deaf West was also where he met UNCSA School of Filmmaking Dean Deborah LaVine, who directed him in plays and later, in his first major film role, her independent feature film “Wild Prairie Rose,” in 2017.

“Thank you, Deb, for teaching me so many important lessons,” Kotsur said. “It was an honor working with you and I haven’t forgotten.”

For more information on Troy Kotsur, see the press release announcing him as commencement speaker.

Downloadable images and video from commencement are available here.
A livestream of the complete ceremony can be found here.

Visit the grad profile page for more information about select UNCSA graduates.

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May 20, 2024