After the Miracle: Helen Keller made its world premiere on February 8, 2019, at the Parkview Physicians Group ArtsLab Theatre in Fort Wayne, IN. Written & directed by local playwright Gregory Stieber, this was the 6th show in Youtheatre's Linda L. Ruffolo Young Heroes of Conscience Series.
Deaf & Blind, the young Helen Keller learned how to communicate with the help of her teacher, Annie Sullivan. This is the story of Helen, who as a teenager went on the Vaudeville tour. Entertaining and amazing audiences all over the world, Helen became a young crusader, advocating rights for the disabled. Youtheatre premieres this moving story, the latest in our series about children who’ve made a difference in the world.
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Cast List
TIME & SETTING: The late 1800’s to present day. A Vaudeville stage in America.
Katarena Burke.....Helen Keller
Sloan Amburgey-Thomas.....Annie Sullivan
Harley Babbitt.....Modern Day Public Speaker
Paige Billian.....Miss Billian, teacher to the deaf
Melody Browning.....1970’s Public Speaker
Shaelyn English.....Sad Girl
Naomi Gephart.....Angry Girl
Margaret Gaughan.....1980’s Public Speaker
Henry Gillan.....Town Boy / Institution Patient
Kennedy Lynem....1960’s Public Speaker
Jennifer Mann.....Concerned Mother / Polly Thompson
Lola Mann.....Town Girl / Institution Patient
Madeline Miller.....1940’s Public Speaker
Zidon Spradling.....Blind Boy
Jadyn Weber.....Laura Bridgman
Regan Kreigh.....The Spirit
Bob Ahlersmeyer.....Vaudeville Emcee
Cat Ahlersmeyer.....Vaudeville Assistant
Nol Beckley....Dr. Alexander Graham Bell/Vaudeville Comedian
Rachel Dostal.....Town Girl/Vaudeville Joan of Arc
Zoe Dostal .....Town Girl/Vaudeville Animal
Robert John Gevers.....Young Alexander Graham Bell
Anthony Hayes.....Ryan White
Lindsay Hoops.....Marlee Matlin/Vaudeville Diva
Randall Keeling.....Institution Patient/Vaudeville Puppet
Emily Koch.....Institution Nurse/Vaudeville Singer
Madeline Koch.....Institution Nurse/Vaudeville Singer
Maggie Kole-Hunter.....Head Nurse/Vaudeville Comedian
Isabelle McDowell.....Friendly Girl/Vaudeville Darling
Dotty Miller......Mabel Bell /Patty Duke/Vaudeville Animal Trainer
Kayden Ptak.....Town Boy/Vaudeville Ventriloquist
Tommy Saul.....Vaudeville Piano Player
Bethany Schmitt .....War Veteran Advocate/Vaudeville Dancer
Morgan Schmitt..... FLOTUS Chief of Staff/Vaudeville Dancer
Sophia Schmitt.....Institution Patient/Vaudeville Animal
Ashley Shewman.....Grace Coolidge/Vaudeville Impersonator
Corbin Veltum.....War Veteran/Vaudeville Escape Artist
Production Staff:
Writer & Director.....Gregory Stieber
Composer & Lyricist.....Tommy Saul
Choreographers.....Bethany Schmitt & Morgan Schmitt
Stage Manager.....James Hulbert
Assistant Stage Manager.....Amanda Deardorf
Assistant Director & Dramaturg.....Anthony Hayes
Assistant Director & Youth Acting Coach.....Lana Thompson
Costume Design.....Schellie Englehart
Assistant Costumer.....Kimee Gearhart
Lighting Design.....Corey Lee
Light Operator.....Kimee Gearhart
Set Design.....Todd Espeland & Christopher J. Murphy
Sound & Projection Operators.....Abby Spoltman & Cassie Smith
Properties.....Sloan Amburgey-Thomas & James Hulbert
Graphic Artists.....Students of New Tech Academy
Graphics Coordinator.....Jennifer Garrett
Youtheatre Interns.....Audrey Kindy, Kimee Gearhart, Sloan Amburgey-Thomas,
Melody Browning
Researchers.....Katarena Burke, RJ Gevers, James Hulbert
Assistant Playwright.....Katarena Burke
Script Contributors.....Harley Babbitt, Melody Browning, Margaret Gaughan, Dotty Miller, Madeline Miller
ASL Sign Language Consultant.....Karen Koch
Alphabet Sign Language Coaches.....Paige Billian, Katarena Burke, Jadyn Weber
Vocal Consultant.....Jim Nelson
