I think the most important thing I’ve learned through Kate, though, is empathy.
There is so much more to her than that- she’s very intelligent. “ When most people hear ‘Helen Keller’, they think of being deaf and blind. In playing this role, she’s learned more about Keller and her family and the empathy displayed on a daily basis, and made her more aware of the things we might all take for granted. One of these people is senior Kenzie Strong, who plays her mother Kate Keller. On and off stage, Smith has had people supporting her and her role. “This is a story that I think many people don’t know a lot about- there’s so much more to her story that they’ll be able to see in the Miracle Worker.” Bergh said.
“This program has a great set of students that take on so much responsibility, and it’s great to really see them master their craft and have so much integrity and respect for the program.” Bergh said. She plans on starting her own theater department, and through the Miracle Worker she’s learned what it takes to put on a production as extensive as this- a dedicated ensemble, tech team, and cast. A former student, Bergh started student teaching for the THS Theater department at the beginning of this school year. She brings so much joy and energy to the stage, and really respects her fellow theater students and her peers.” Director Bobi Bergh said. “ is very committed and dedicated to creating this character. I want to play Helen Keller as honestly as I can.” Smith said. I could do all these things, and if I don’t go out on stage and play the role as honestly as I can, none of it’s going to matter. “One of the most important things I’ve learned… doesn’t really matter if you don’t have fun with it. During this process, however, not only did she learn more about her character, she also learned more about herself. In preparation for playing Keller, Smith put herself into Keller’s shoes in multiple ways- learning sign language, studying her passions, and even going blind, then deaf, for a day. She’s taking Keller’s name as her own, playing the lead role in the production. She’s just trying to understand the world around her, but obviously she’s had some serious struggles to over mount in regards to communication.” Junior Cait Smith said. “As a young child, was struck with a very severe fever that caused her to turn deaf and blind at the age of 2. This year they are doing the Miracle Worker, a play that highlights the struggles and triumphs of Helen Keller in her childhood and her caretaker, Anne Sullivan. Every year, THS’s Theater puts on a fall production to entertain their community and display the talent and skill of the people in their department.