William Gibson’s true tale of Helen Keller, who was rendered deaf, blind, and mute due to a childhood illness, is brought to the stage in Truckee Community Theater’s presentation of The Miracle Worker this month. The production remains faithful to the original script, but the passionate cast of local actors and beautiful set designs breathe new life into the classic play, which was originally produced on Broadway in the late 1950s and won a Tony award in 1957.
Nine-year-old Cameron Wees has spent the past two months working on her role as Helen Keller. Wees, a Kings Beach Elementary fourth grader, read several books about Helen Keller to prepare for the role. An hour before the cast’s first rehearsal last September, Wees wore a blindfold and ear plugs and was led on a trust walk through downtown Truckee by Kaitlyn Barrett, who plays the role of Annie Sullivan, Helen’s teacher.
“The trust walk … made me realize what challenges Helen Keller faced her entire life, and it helped me prepare for my rehearsals,” Wees said.
Striving to bring opportunities for local actors of all ages, two years ago Courtney Simson, the director and producer of The Miracle Worker, directed Annie, the first full community theater musical in Truckee in over 20 years, and followed it up with Oklahoma. Both plays sold out and had a mixed cast of adults, children, and teens.
“[Community theater] is one of the few activities I know of in which people of all ages can participate together, where a 6-year-old can become best friends with a 70-year-old,” Simson said.
The Miracle Worker is also launching a new tradition. Over 650 school children from Tahoe, Truckee, and Reno, along with teachers and parents, will attend an abridged, 40-minute free performance on Thursday, Nov. 20. Cast members will present scenes from the play, conduct an educational talk on Helen Keller, and host a question and answer session with the audience.
“The play is a testament to the power of gifted teachers, reminding us that even the most insurmountable obstacles may be overcome with enough love, support, and faith in a good outcome,” Simson said.
