Stagecrafters sets the stage for a 'miracle'

ROYAL OAK – Metro Detroit audiences will be stirred by the real-life struggles of an American icon and the dedicated teacher who unlocked her potential as Stagecrafters presents the classic play "The Miracle Worker" March 30 through April 15 at the Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette in downtown Royal Oak.
Stagecrafters' upcoming production is the realization of a several-years-old dream for director Amy Schell, who was granted the directorship of an earlier production of the play that never came to fruition. At that time, Stagecrafters was denied the rights to produce the play by the licensing company that owns the work. However, Schell had little time to dwell on her disappointment because she immediately dove into directing "To Kill a Mockingbird," the play that Stagecrafters chose to replace "The Miracle Worker."
It was only when "The Miracle Worker" reappeared on Stagecrafters' list of potential shows that Schell came to see her earlier thwarted effort as a Karmic blessing. "The second time I applied, I realized the timing was much better," Schell said. "I'd been working with middle school students who have autism and had learned an incredible amount about how much patience, perseverance, sensitivity and energy it takes to teach these kids. I also have been able to work with both parents and teachers and to empathize with each point of view. I hadn't had that unique perspective when I applied the first time, so it's my theory that the universe was trying to tell me it just wasn't time for me to do it then."
"The Miracle Worker" dramatizes the early life of humanitarian Helen Keller and her relationship with her tenacious teacher, Annie Sullivan. Blind and mute in 1880s Alabama, isolated by her special needs, young Helen is bitter, violent and spoiled. Enter Annie Sullivan, who has overcome prodigious obstacles herself, including her own struggles with visual impairments. Annie steadfastly believes that there is a mind inside Helen waiting to be released from her dark, tortured silence, and it is Annie alone who commits herself to the turbulent, violent, and emotional journey required to release that mind.
Schell and her team could have been content merely to present a compelling piece of biographical dramatic literature. Instead, Stagecrafters, which has long been committed to reaching out to the deaf community by presenting an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted performance of each of its Main Stage and Youth Theatre shows, is using its production of "The Miracle Worker" to bridge several communities. One young actress in the show is deaf, and an ASL interpreter is present at rehearsals. Another young actress is a hearing child of deaf parents. The cast even includes Annie, a retired Leader Dog for the Blind, playing Helen's dog, Belle.
And the outreach extends beyond the cast of the show. For patrons, the lobby will contain videos and displays portraying deaf, deaf-blind and blind life in 2007. A Stagecrafters' representative and an ASL interpreter will lead a pre-show tour called "Backstage Pass" (the tour is free, but reservations are required) for deaf patrons. Interpreted performances will be followed by a post show discussion called "Talkback" that will feature the director, actors and an ASL interpreter.
To Schell, the extra measures taken by the theater are in keeping with the thematic core of the play as she sees it. "The message I would like audiences to take away from the show is two-fold," Schell said. "First, I would challenge them to look for the individual inside the different or impaired body instead of first judging that difference. Second, I want them to see that no matter what challenges we face we can all realize our dreams."
Tickets for all shows are $14 – $16. All seats reserved. Visa/MasterCard accepted.
Call 248-541-6430 for tickets.