TROY, Mich. – The actors won’t be the only ones catching the eyes of the audience when Ridgedale Players opens with The Miracle Worker this weekend in Troy.
“When our play reading committee started looking at shows to do post-COVID, we were looking for things that were uplifting and inspirational but classics,” said theater president Sandra Deering.
The story of Annie Sullivan teaching a deaf and blind Helen Keller to experience the world fit the bill. They also knew they wanted ASL interpreters for the shows, but it was cost-prohibitive until a corporate sponsor stepped up.
“GFL Environmental supported us with a generous donation for interpreters and greater access for the deaf,” said Sullivan.
The theater is hopeful the deaf community will come and experience the show.
Cora Steiger, 11, is one of two young actors cast as Helen for the run of the show.
“This is just going to be a wonderful show and a great experience to just sit in the audience and watch this go on,” said Steiger.
This week is tech week for the show before it opens this Friday (Jan 17).
Shayla McKitrick is one of the ASL interpreters who has been brought in. Tuesday was her first time on stage with the cast.
“Deaf people are used to being left out of a lot of things, so to be able to have something like this creates a buzz,” said McKitrick.