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Hamilton-Gibson Production's Search for Helen Keller and Annie Sulliva
Posted by Barbara Morgan for November 7, 2009
THE MIRACLE WORKER was HG's first production way back in 1991. We produced it again on our tenth anniversary in 2000, and we're producing it yet again in March during our 20th Season Anniversary. The powerful play by William Gibson is the moving story of young Annie Sullivan's miraculous work with the blind and deaf Helen Keller.
We're looking for two energetic actressess to play these two roles. Annie Sullivan is in her early 20s, small and fiesty, with a bit of an Irish brogue. The role was played on Broadway and in a film by a much older Anne Bancroft.
The role of Helen Keller requires a great deal of energy. Helen Keller was actually six years old when Annie Sullivan moved into her home. A small older girl would be ideal: the role was played on Broadway by a 13-year-old Patty Duke. Our two previous Helens were played by a second grader and a fourth grader. There are no lines to memorize, but a great deal of stage movement...and one terrific wrestling match in the second act.
Both of these roles must be played with actresses who are physically fit and not afraid of crawling, throwing, hitting, slapping, wrestling.
Other roles include the following:
Mrs. Keller—Helen's mother: late 20s-early 40s, warm and caring.
Captain Keller—Helen's father: 40s-50s, stern, uncertain how to proceed with such a child.
James Keller—Helen's half-brother: 16-30 year old, sarcastic, desperate for attention that is heaped on his younger half-sister
Aunt Ev—Captain Keller's sister: 40s-70s Mr. Keller's sister, has an opinion about everything
Vinnie: adult woman, housekeeper. Can be played by an African-American or Irish-American
Percy: 6-13 son of Vinnie
Martha: 6-13 daughter of Vinnie
A Doctor: elderly
Mr. Anagnos: middle aged+ administrator at Perkin's Institute for the Blind
Blind Girls: 6-12 years old
Belle: dog of any age, setter preferably; must be able to obey and not be distracted.
We're looking for a stage manager/assistant to the director who can attend most rehearsals and all performances. Organizational skills and patience are key characteristics.
Auditions for the role of Helen Keller will be held on Sunday, December 6 from 3:00-5:00; and Monday, December 7 from 3:30-5:30. Girls should wear clothes that will allow for rolling about on the floor. Auditions for all other parts will be on December 9 and 10 at 6:30PM. All auditions will be at 100 Main Street, Wellsboro. Call backs will be scheduled sometime between December 11-15. (Call backs are a second audition wherein the director is able to have a second look at particular auditionees. Invitation to callbacks does not necessarily mean a role in the play; nor does a lack of invitation indicate a lack of consideration for a role.)
If you have any questions about the audition process or the production, please call Thomas Putnam at 570.724.2079 or email at hamgib@epix.net.