The Miracle Worker The Miracle Worker Background Background

William Gibson created a “teleplay” a television William Gibson created a “teleplay” a television play based on Helen Keller’s autobiography play based on Helen Keller’s autobiography The The Story of My Life, Story of My Life, and letters from Annie Sullivan.and letters from Annie Sullivan.

He adapted the production for the stage which He adapted the production for the stage which later became the famous 1962 Academy Award later became the famous 1962 Academy Award winning version with Anne Bancroft and Patty winning version with Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke. Duke.

Later in 2000, Disney did a remake starring Later in 2000, Disney did a remake starring Hallie Kate Eisenberg.Hallie Kate Eisenberg.

Author of Author of The Miracle WorkerThe Miracle WorkerWilliam GibsonWilliam Gibson

Was born in the Bronx, New York, on Was born in the Bronx, New York, on November 13, 1914. November 13, 1914.

The Miracle WorkerThe Miracle Worker is his second is his second Broadway production for which he is Broadway production for which he is best known. best known.

Gibson was fascinated with Annie Gibson was fascinated with Annie Sullivan’s triumph as Helen Keller’s Sullivan’s triumph as Helen Keller’s teacher, which led him to write about teacher, which led him to write about her accomplishments. her accomplishments.

See more information on the handout. See more information on the handout.

Characters in Characters in The Miracle The Miracle WorkerWorker

Helen KellerHelen Keller Annie SullivanAnnie Sullivan Captain Keller (Helen’s Father)Captain Keller (Helen’s Father) Kate Keller (Helen’s Mother) Kate Keller (Helen’s Mother) James Keller (Helen’s Step-brother)James Keller (Helen’s Step-brother) AnagnosAnagnos Aunt EvAunt Ev MarthaMartha PercyPercy VineyViney Offstage VoicesOffstage Voices

Stage Direction Stage Direction mini-lessonmini-lesson

What is it?What is it?

Definition:Definition:

A playwright’s instruction/directions to theA playwright’s instruction/directions to the

director and actors (written in the script)director and actors (written in the script)

Describes the position of the actors on theDescribes the position of the actors on the

Stage. Stage.

Basic Stage VocabularyBasic Stage Vocabulary

Stage directions apply to the actor as Stage directions apply to the actor as he/she faces the audiencehe/she faces the audience

Stage Right -R- the actor’s rightStage Right -R- the actor’s rightStage Left –L- the actor’s leftStage Left –L- the actor’s leftDownstage -D- nearest the audienceDownstage -D- nearest the audienceUpstage -U- away from the audienceUpstage -U- away from the audienceC – Center StageC – Center Stage

Other Stage VocabularyOther Stage Vocabulary

Onstage – the acting area within the Onstage – the acting area within the set, visible to the audienceset, visible to the audience

Offstage – the parts of the stage not Offstage – the parts of the stage not enclosed by the settingenclosed by the setting

Backstage – the area behind the Backstage – the area behind the settingsetting

Wings – the offstage areas to the left Wings – the offstage areas to the left and right of the acting areaand right of the acting area

House – the auditorium where the House – the auditorium where the audience sits (also called ‘outfront’)audience sits (also called ‘outfront’)

Body PositionsBody Positions

Five basic positions:Five basic positions: One quarterOne quarter

Full frontFull front

ProfileProfile

Three quarterThree quarter

Full backFull back

Act OneAct One(Pages 5-38)(Pages 5-38)

Scene 1:Scene 1:

Setting= Setting= The Keller Household (Night time) The Keller Household (Night time)

Inside the Keller Household:Inside the Keller Household:

Three adults surround a crib, in lamplight. Three adults surround a crib, in lamplight. TheyThey

have been through a long vigil, and it shows have been through a long vigil, and it shows inin

their tired bearing and disarranged clothing.their tired bearing and disarranged clothing.

(Captain Keller, Kate Keller, and the Doctor)(Captain Keller, Kate Keller, and the Doctor)

Act OneAct One(Pages 5-38)(Pages 5-38)

1. What was the doctor's diagnosis of the baby?1. What was the doctor's diagnosis of the baby?

2. Explain how Helen is James's half sister.2. Explain how Helen is James's half sister.

3. Why was Helen searching for buttons?3. Why was Helen searching for buttons?

4. What two presents did Annie receive for herself prior to her 4. What two presents did Annie receive for herself prior to her

departure from the Perkins Institute?departure from the Perkins Institute?

5. Why did Kate give Helen a peppermint drop?5. Why did Kate give Helen a peppermint drop?

6. What was Kate's first impression of Annie Sullivan?6. What was Kate's first impression of Annie Sullivan?

7. What was the first word that Annie signed into Helen's hand?7. What was the first word that Annie signed into Helen's hand?

8. State the philosophy behind Annie's first instructional lesson 8. State the philosophy behind Annie's first instructional lesson

for Helen.for Helen.