ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
EL-ERIAN FAMILY ACTING CONSERVATORY
Directed
by
JAY WALLACE
The unforgetable inspiring story of Helen Keller — and the woman that set her free.
FEB 20 & 21 • 7PM
FEB 22 • 2PM & 7PM
MICHAEL F. HARRAH SYMPHONY HALL
Saturday Matinee performance will include live audio descriptions for blind and visually impaired attendees. ASL interpretation
I’ve been drawn to this powerful story for many years; intrigued by the characters and moved by the ultimate triumph over the most human of obstacles. I’m amazed by the strength and tenacity Helen Keller demonstrated in her visceral journey to survive. And, I’m inspired by Annie Sullivan’s drive, focus and furious determination to overcome obstacles.
It’s important to note, this play only provides a glimpse into the early stages of Helen’s life and transformation. What we don’t get to see is the tremendous life of service and groundbreaking accomplishments that would define Helen’s legacy. Helen was a fierce champion of those with disabilities as well as an instrumental social activist for women’s suffrage, labor rights and world peace. She was a prolific writer of 14 books and hundreds of speeches and essays. Additionally, Helen attended Radcliffe College of Harvard University, becoming the first deafblind person in the United States to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Helen was even a founding member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). As the play highlights, all this was made possible by the tireless work, motivation and support from her teacher Annie Sullivan, who would become her greatest advocate and a lifelong friend.
Throughout the process of developing and mounting this production, the cast and I have embraced the opportunity to learn more about these two heroic individuals and to gain valuable perspective into the challenges and opportunities faced by members of communities that have often felt marginalized, specifically members of the deaf and blind communities. We were privileged with the chance to have meaningful conversations, hear powerful stories and work firsthand with inspiring teachers and consultants. Considering the members of our cast can all see and hear, it was important that we were intentional and thoughtful in crafting each of the characters within this story. The cast learned ASL (American Sign Language) and worked directly with members of the Braille Institute. These are experiences that have left an indelible mark on each of us and memories that will last a lifetime. I could not be more proud of this cast. From the beginning of the process, they recognized that our task was not to simply create a dynamic production, but to grow as human beings in our level of compassion and perspective. Their maturity, generosity and dedicated work ethic have truly inspired me. We have all been afforded an opportunity to grow as artists and individuals.
I would like to offer a few specific thanks to individuals who have supported my vision and empowered me to establish an inclusive experience. Thank you to Mr. Walcutt for sharing an interest in my priority to establish a unique audience experience, which includes ASL interpretation for each performance as well as a performance containing the addition of live audio description for blind and visually impaired patrons. Many thanks to my team of bright and encouraging Assistant Directors - Anne, Izzy and Kaelyn. You have enhanced this production through your efficient support and creative insights. Many thanks to Mrs. Bennet, our ASL consultant and Miss Joey and Miss Joceylyn, our Braille Institute consultants. Special thanks as well to my talented Creative and Production teams. This certainly has felt like a community effort and reflects the beauty of theatrical collaboration.
It is our hope this production will move and inspire each of you to see those around you with a little more light, hope and empathy; particularly those that may often feel unseen. Be a voice for those that need a voice, fight for those you love and never give into adversity. Thank you for your support of this conservatory and for these young artists. And please join us following the performance as we continue the conversation and share more about our experiences developing, ‘The Miracle Worker’.
ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
EL-ERIAN FAMILY ACTING CONSERVATORY
Proudly Presents
Directed by: JAY WALLACE
Assistant Directors: ANNE BAUER, ISABELLE SANBORN, AND KAELYN HAHM
Braille Institute of America
El Camino College Theatre Department
John Walcutt
Donald Amerson
Justin Padilla
Acting PAC Parent Team
Chistopher and Steven Strombeck
Alexi McGinness and the Production Team Staff
Brian Stevens - OCSA Director of Community Engagement
Production and Design Student Crew
Shelby Joncas - Public Relations Manager
Monique and Rocky Benoit
Cindy Penderghast
Emeline Tran - Design Assistance
Annie Sullivan: Isabella Kim
Helen Keller: Jolie Benoit
Kate Keller: Sophia Okerlund
Captain Keller: Dylan Gorman
James Keller: Benjamin Primas
Anagnos: Vlad Ghepes
Martha: Isabella Yassa
Percy: Emeline Tran
Viney: Cordelia Morris
Aunt Ev: Alice Chen
Doctor: Rohan Ganesan
Jimmie (boy’s voice): Dominic Gourley
Sarah: Isabella Aberia
Ethel: Annabelle Green
Alice: Amanda Tanglao
Beatrice: Shriya Gandhi
Laura: Adrianna Aguilar
Belle (setter): Cocoa
1st Crone’s Voice: Ava Vanderveen
2nd Crone’s Voice: Peyton Eich
3rd Crone’s Voice: Anne Bauer
Doctor’s Voice: Jack Ireland
Man’s Voice: Jay Wallace
Tenele Bennett, CI and CT, MA
Eero Burch
Hailey Redmond
Jocelyn Martinez
Youth Program Specialist for the Anaheim Center at Braille Institute of America
Joey Hernandez
Youth Assistant for the Anaheim Center at Braille Institute of America
Crew
Set Design and Lighting Design: Bill Mittler
Costume Design: Rome Fiore
Hair and Make-up Design: Cynthia Karim
Sound Design/Effects: Isabelle Sanborn
Dialect Coach: Cora Riley
Music/Underscore Design: Justin Padilla
Production Manager: Alexi McGinness
Production Student Mentor: Samantha McCann
Production Stage Manager: Alec Woods
Stage Manager: William Chung
Props Crew: Noe Vismantas
Light Board Op: Ryan Savage
Followspot: Keene Horton
Projections Playback Operator: Oliver Shin
Technician and Sound Board Op: Blake Huntley, Grace Tan
Head Wardrobe: Teresa Kunrath,
Costume Crew: Zack Nowak, Connor Khosla, Abigail Sobolewski
Joey Zhou (cello)
Dora Li (violin)
Sylvie Kim (violin)
Cadence Park (violin)
Audrey Yoon (violin)
Christine Kang (violin)
Kaiden Surti (violin)
Annabelle Jin (viola)
Sara Ning (viola)
Lyla Han (viola)
Gracie Park (viola)
The El-Erian Family Acting Conservatory offers comprehensive acting, voice, and movement training to students who aspire to achieve a career onstage or in film and television. It also offers a robust dual enrollment program, which allows students to receive transferable college credit for select Acting Conservatory classes. The conservatory curriculum places a heavy emphasis on the study of Shakespeare and on-camera acting, as well as the techniques of Boleslawski, Stanislavski, and Hagen, among others. Students also learn about playwriting, devised theatre, and directing for both stage and screen. The caring and dedicated faculty is comprised of industry professionals who work to build students’ essential industry and life skills, such as confidence, presence, focus, connection, listening, creativity, imagination, and tenacity.
JOHN WALCUTT Director
DONALD AMERSON Conservatory Manager
The El-Erian Family Acting Conservatory encourages the development of practical life skills beneficial to students’ futures. Students interested in entering the professional industry have the unique opportunity to audition for the annual Actors Showcase, which provides direct exposure to Hollywood agents, managers, and casting directors.
The El-Erian Family Acting Conservatory presents both traditional and out-of-the-box productions, including new and student-devised works, which enable students to put their training into practice and learn and grow in performance. Students perform in plays, classroom performance projects, workshops, film projects, and more. When possible, roles are double cast. Students also have the opportunity to participate in OCSA’s annual Season Finale featuring all arts conservatories and presented at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Please visit www.ocsarts.net/boxoffice.
Mr. John Walcutt earned a Master of Fine Arts from USC’s professional actor training program; he also studied at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in Los Angeles. He has more than 35 years of experience on stage and screen as a professional actor and director, a film and theatre producer, and a screenwriter.
Mr. Walcutt has worked on nearly 200 film and television projects with more than 100 gueststarring roles, including Titanic, Mulan, Little Miss Sunshine, Lost, Criminal Minds, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. For many years, he was the artistic director of Shakespeare Orange County, where he played Macbeth, Malvolio, and Richard III, among many other roles. Mr. Walcutt has won the Screen Actors Guild Award and the Golden Ace Award, as well as the award for Best Director at the Indie Fest and the Las Vegas Film Festival. He was named by Orange County Register as one of the Most Influential People in Arts and Culture for 2014.