Green River High School theater students Cameron Harmon and Sarah Kropf run through their lines quickly before a special student performance of "The Miracle Worker" Tuesday morning.
(Correction: Play times and dates were incorrectly listed in the print version. This article was updated to reflect the correct dates and times.)
The inspirational tale of Helen Keller will unfold on the stage this week.
Green River High School theater students have been rehearsing since August to put on the play "The Miracle Worker" by William Gibson.
"The Miracle Worker" is a classic story about a teacher Annie Sullivan and the student she is assigned to teach, Helen Keller. Keller is deaf, blind and mute and Sullivan is faced with the challenge of trying to help this child communicate with the world.
"In a series of dramatic, remarkable and inspirational events we watch as the story unfolds, and 'The Miracle Worker' reaches her student, but only because her student reached her," director Terrin Musbach said.
This time, Musbach was the one who decided which play to do. She said they just couldn't decide. One day, Muscbach was watching a video online on how Sullivan taught Keller to talk. Sullivan was using her hands to help Keller use the vibrations in her throat to talk.
"It's just beautiful. It's such a powerful story." she said. "I watched the video and said 'we need to do this show."'
Musbach was happy with how much her cast was willing to learn in the timeframe they had to work with.
"Within our own team we have had the chance to learn sign language, as our Helen Keller, played by Kieara Staley, is deaf herself," Musbach said. "It has been a beautiful journey because what we are creating on stage is also being experienced behind the scenes. The message we want this show to send, that this story already sends, is that a disability does not define a person."
As for the set itself, the large-scale set took the group about six weeks to build. The construction was intensive and they salvaged as many materials as they could so they would not have to purchase new wood.
The technical team, which consists of about 20 students and many of their parents, were helpful in getting the play ready. They spent around 100 hours designing costumes, getting the makeup perfect, adjusting lights and sound, publicizing the play and designing the set.
As with any production, the group encountered a few problems or bumps in the road.
"We tend to think of problems as opportunities to find solutions. So sure, there were many, but all were overcome," she said.
Tickets, which are $4 for students and seniors, and $6 for general admission, can be purchased at the door. Performances are scheduled to take place Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.
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