What I liked
I loved the subject matter and the way TL Forsberg invites the audience into a world many of us know little about while revealing something universally human. The ASL humor, code-switching, and memorable characters brought both warmth and authenticity to the performance. Most of all, I admired TL’s willingness to share such a deeply personal journey toward self-acceptance—not by choosing one label over another, but by embracing the freedom to exist beyond labels altogether. It’s a moving reminder that our shared humanity is always more important than the categories that divide us.
What I didn't like
Nothing that stood out to me. The performance accomplished exactly what I hoped it would: it introduced me to an experience I knew little about while reminding me of something deeply human—that we all want to be seen for who we are, rather than the labels others place on us or the labels we internalize about ourselves. It’s a message that feels especially relevant in a time when we so often define ourselves—and each other—by categories instead of our shared humanity.
My overall impression
Between Two Worlds is a deeply personal and surprisingly universal exploration of what it means to exist between identities. Through the lens of a performing artist navigating the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, TL Forsberg reveals a kind of isolation many audience members will recognize, even if they’ve never experienced hearing loss themselves: the ache of feeling unseen, misunderstood, or “not enough” within the very group where you expect to belong.
The show is educational without ever feeling like a lecture. I came away with a greater appreciation for the nuances within the Deaf community and the assumptions people make about identity. But what stayed with me most was the emotional truth underneath it all. Whether you’ve felt too different for your family, your profession, your culture, your politics, or your community, you’ll likely find yourself somewhere in this story.
By the end, Forsberg leaves us with a hopeful invitation to move beyond labels—to see one another as individuals rather than categories. In a time when so much of society feels divided into “us versus them,” that message lands with both grace and humanity.
TL Forsberg is an engaging and authentic storyteller. There are a few moments of multi-media, but rather than relying on theatrical artifice, the performance draws its power from TL’s honesty and lived experience. Her warmth, humor, and vulnerability helped land this story’s message of self-acceptance.
