(Image Provided)

PARKERSBURG — “The Miracle Worker” will be among the most difficult shows to be presented by the Actors Guild of Parkersburg, its director said.

The story is about teacher Annie Sullivan and pupil Hellen Keller, a deaf and blind girl who could not speak until a breakthrough and bond is made between the two.

“It’s a powerful, powerful drama,” director Charlie Matthews, a veteran Guild director and performer, said.

Auditions for “The Miracle Worker” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday in the upstairs rehearsal hall at the guild, 724 Market St. Enter through the black door on Market Street.

Written by William Gibson, the play is set in Tuscumbia, Ala., where Helen at the age of 18 months gets sick and is left blind and deaf. Her parents pity and spoil her and hire Annie, who after several physical encounters with Helen finally makes a breakthrough with the young girl.

The scenes of the physical interactions will perhaps require more detailed rehearsals, Matthews said. Also, besides the southern accents, Gibson included numerous instructions and information for each scene, appearing in italicized type, Matthews said.

“I don’t think I’ve seen a script that has so much information in italic,” he said.

The real-life Keller went to college and was the first deaf and blind person in the country to earn a bachelor’s degree. She became a writer, lecturer, political activist and advocate for those with disabilities. She and Sullivan became lifelong friends.

Six female and five male parts will be cast for the show. The characters, of which age ranges listed are the character’s age not necessarily the actor’s age, include:

* Helen Keller: appears about 8-11 years old.

* Annie Sullivan: appears to be in her early to late 20s.

* Capt. Arthur Keller: Helen’s father aged 40s to 50s.

* Kate Keller: Helen’s mother aged 30s to 40s.

* James Keller: Age teen to 20s, Helen’s half-brother.

* Aunt Eve: Aged 30s to 50s, Helen’s aunt.

* Mr. Anaknos/doctor: Aged 40s to 50s, Annie’s counselor at the Perkins Institution for the Blind.

* Viney: Aged 30s to 60s, a servant.

* Martha: Aged 8-12, Helen’s playmate. Though not required, this role is traditionally played by an actor of color.

* Percy: Aged 8-12, Helen’s playmate. Though not required, this role is traditionally played by an actor of color.

Audition information is available at the Guild’s website, https://www.actors-guild.com/miracle-worker.html.

“The Miracle Worker,” sponsored by the Lions Club of Parkersburg, will run Jan. 17-26, 2025. It also was produced by the Guild in 1963 and 1987.

With Matthews, the production staff includes assistant directors Sue Lamp and Lori Clark, technical director Nathan Arnold, stage manager Marsha Mueller, the Actors Guild Costume Committee and costume liaison Kathy Leavitt, production assistant Terri Borrelli and adviser David Rexroad.