Event Article

With rehearsals well underway for the upcoming production of "The Miracle Worker," the two freshman coeds who hold the leading parts are finding that much individual research is necessary for their roles.

The play is centered around young Helen Keller, who is totally blind and deaf, and Annie Sullivan who is nearly blind.

Petite Carol Markowski who portrays Helen, has no speaking lines in the play. To help her with actions she will journey for a day to an institution for the blind to observe the children and work with them. Carol adds, however, that "Most of the children I will be working with are normal in every sense except vision. On the contrary, Helen is definitely an adnormal child."

Recently the set was completed and Carol was subjected, along with her co-star, Gloria Bartholomew, to an hour of moving around while blindfolded with the instructions to "learn the set by feel."

A theatre arts major carrying 18 units, Carol plans either a teaching or professional acting career. She has also appeared in the FJC production of "The Physicist" and in such high school plays as "My Three Angels" and "The Glass Menagerie."

Gloria Bartholomew takes on the challenging role of Annie Sullivan for this production. Her part, which could well be one of the most exhausting roles for any female in a stage play, involves several "fight" scenes with Helen. One scene, which involves her teaching Helen how to eat, takes approximately 20 minutes of almost constant physical struggle.

Gloria was fitted last week for "smoked" glasses which she will wear for the performances. This was unusual because the optometrist had to find authentic-looking frames to fit the time period involved.

Also a freshman majoring in theatre arts, Gloria has appeared in the FJC productions of "Death of a Salesman," "The Physicist" and "Little Mary Sunshine." At Placentia High School she was in "The Robe," "The Heiress" and "Cheaper By The Dozen." She also has been a member of the Disneyland Drama Workshop and the Los Angeles Youth Theatre.

George D. Archambeault is the director for the play. Todd Glen, head of the technical department is in charge of the nearly completed Victorion set, and George Stoughton has taken control of costumes which are all being made by hand.