"Tribes" is a gripping play about the breakdown of a family and its inability to communicate.

English playwright Nina Raine's award-winning play centers around Billy, who was born deaf into a hearing family. He's adapted to their unconventional ways, but they haven't adapted to his, leaving Billy feeling like an outcast.

"He loves his family very much, you know, and he's like the glue in the family, yet at the same time he's not being heard," said Joey Ausanio, who plays Billy.

"Tribes" is the Theatre Institute at Sage's latest production.

"I really have a very strong connection to Billy on so many different levels because I grew up with a hearing family," said Ausanio.

He's developed the role with help from sign language interpreter Karen Garofallou, who's also one of the interpreters for the audience.

It's not until Billy meets Sylvia, a young woman on the brink of deafness, that he finally understand what it means to be heard.

"I really hope that people take a look at how they communicate with each other," said Mitchell Johnson who plays Billy's brother, Daniel.

The cast hopes the play sparks conversation and understanding.

"My hope for the deaf community is that they know they're not alone," said Ausanio.

"Tribes" is recommended for audience members 14 years and older due to some graphic language. For more information on tickets and showtimes, log on to theatre.sage.edu.