They won’t receive billing in the program or a curtain call. They won’t even be seen by most of the audience. Despite that, interpreters Dibs Willis and Kimberly Smith bring “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” to life for the hearing impaired.

Willis and Smith are staff interpreters through the Office of Disability Services. When they found out they would be interpreting this fall’s first show, they were initially apprehensive.

“I think that Shakespeare is confusing for hearing people. Putting it in another language is tricky,” Smith said. “There are things that don’t translate to ASL [American Sign Language].”

Willis said she was thankful that they got to see the script early. That allowed them to divvy up the parts. Smith took Rosencrantz and the players and Willis portrayed Guildenstern and everyone else. They also figured out the best way to portray the meaning of the show.

“It took hours to read beforehand to find the meaning. We don’t do every word,” Willis said. “It was difficult at first, but we’re getting better.”

“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” is a word-heavy play with much of the dialogue having double meaning. Because Willis and Smith aren’t signing word-for-word, they do their best to get the feel of the show across. This was a challenge Willis grew to enjoy.

“We’re trying to figure out the meaning. Some of it is completely nonsensical,” she said. “It was kind of fun.”

Interpreting plays isn’t something Willis or Smith have done a lot of, but they are open to doing it again. Smith said that interpretation could be available if requested.