Albright Theatre to hold auditions for 'The Miracle Worker'
Albright Theatre Company will hold auditions for "The Miracle Worker" by William Gibson at 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday, July 19 and 20. The Albright Theatre is on the third floor of the Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Callbacks may be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, by invitation only.
The heroic, real-life tale of Annie Sullivan and her student, blind and mute Helen Keller who with Annie's help became a celebrated author, political activist and lecturer. "The Miracle Worker" dramatizes the volatile relationship between the lonely teacher and her charge. Trapped in a secret, silent world, unable to communicate, Helen is violent, spoiled, almost sub-human and treated by her family as such. Only Annie realizes that there is a mind and spirit waiting to be rescued from the dark, tortured silence. With scenes of intense physical and emotional dynamism, Annie's success with Helen finally comes with the utterance of a single, glorious word. Casting four men from late 20s to 60s; four women, 20s to early 60s; and 5-10 children, ages 4 to 16.
Characters are
• Annie Sullivan, Helen's teacher; blind herself during her childhood; has brash self-confidence; fears failure in her first teaching position; refuses to quit; age range early to late 20s.
• Helen Keller, young girl who lost her vision and hearing as a baby; unable to communicate her wants and needs to others except through violent outbursts; age range 11-14.
• Kate Keller, Helen's mother and young, second wife to Captain Keller; wants to help Helen; manages to persuade her husband into hiring Annie; allows Annie to do what she needs to help Helen; age range 30s to 40s.
• Captain Keller, Helen's father; retired Civil War officer; Helen's affliction gnaws at his heart, causing him to be sharply demanding at times; still concerned for her and loves her age range 40s to 50s.
• James Keller, Captain Keller's son from a previous marriage and Helen's half-brother; feels cheated out of his family's love because Helen needs so much attention; age range early to late 20s.
• Aunt Ev, Captain Keller's sister; kindly and concerned Aunt to Helen; spoils Helen; supports Kate's efforts to get her help; age range 40s to 60s.
• Viney, the Keller family servant; amid the chaos of the house, she manages to keep a stable and good-humored manner; her children Martha and Percy are playmates for Helen; age range 30 to 40s.
• Mr. Anagnos, headmaster of a school for the blind where Annie Sullivan was trained; he chooses Annie to teach Helen; age range 40s to 60s.
• Martha, daughter of Viney; playmate to Helen; age range 9 to 12.
• Percy, son of Viney; playmate to Helen; helps Annie; age range 11 to 14.
• Doctor, doctor at the beginning who gives medical care to Baby Helen; age range 40s to 60s.
• Thre to eight children, children at the school for the blind who don't want Annie to leave them; various ages from 4 to 16 years old.
Performance dates for "The Miracle Worker" are Sept. 11-13, 18-20, 25-26. It is rated PG. Contact The Albright Theatre Company at (630) 406-8838, or visit www.albrighttheatre.com.
The rehearsal schedule will be determined by the director and is subject to the availability of the confirmed cast and crew. The Albright Theatre Company is a nonprofit organization that is membership driven and relies upon volunteer actors.