This Tony award-winning drama is based on the true story of Helen Keller who was left blind and deaf from a childhood illness. Her governess and teacher, Annie Sullivan, endeavors to give young Helen structure and the ability to communicate but the Keller family dynamic soon proves to be part of the problem.

* NEW THIS SEASON: Opening night of THE MIRACLE WORKER will begin at 7:30 pm and will be followed by a reception (with refreshments) in our lobby where audience members will be able to meet and mingle with the cast and production team.

SHOW DATES & TIMES
Thursday Nov. 8th, 2018 at *7:30 PM*
Friday Nov. 9th, 2018 at 8:00 PM
Saturday Nov. 10th, 2018 at 8:00 PM
Sunday Matinee Nov. 11th, 2018 at 2:00 PM
Thursday Nov. 15th, 2018 at 8:00 PM
Friday Nov. 16th, 2018 at 8:00 PM
Saturday Matinee Nov. 17th, 2018 at 2:00 PM
Saturday Nov. 17th, 2018 at 8:00 PM

– Cast & Crew BIOGRAPHIES – 

Donna BYRNE – Director
Donna has directed over 35 plays. The Miracle Worker is her most current project. Others include Montreal Fringe Festival’s Meditations of Guido Kowalski in 2017, Love Potion in 2018, both written by Irene Saharov. The META nominated The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald adapted by Simon Levy, Always A Bridesmaid by Jones, Hope, Wooten and Waiting for the Parade by John Murrell, produced by Stone Soup Productions where she was co-founder and Artistic Director for two years. The Widow Schwartz, written and directed by Donna, produced by Hudson Players Club in 2012. Assistant Director, The Carpenter 2007 Centaur. Lakeshore Players Dorval Staged Play Readings of Original Works Festival 2017 & 2018.
Professional actor and member of Playwrights Guild of Canada. Film credits include; Fatal Vows (CMJ) as Barbra Brown in season 6, Actor role in Art of More (tv series Muse), Court Clerk in 19-TWO (tv series,), Neighbour in Game On (YTV), Betty Bailey (CMJ Production) Fatal Vows season 3 , Bobbi Jo Williams in Inheriting Trouble (Investigation Discovery Channel), Donna in Blue Mountain State (Lionsgate/Varsity). Funkytown (feature film) as Snobby Cashier. Written and directed screenplays include; Help Wanted (An Orkville Production) other shorts include Confessions, Chilli Night, Hospitality, Nowhere.
Theatre roles in Orkville (written/produced by Donna), Galileo, Sins of the Mother, Peter Pan, California Suite.
Training with Ron Leach, Shimon Aviel, John Strasberg, Gordon McCall, Amy Jo Berman (webinar classes) Bob Verniks, Heather Markgraf, Matthew Tiffin, Rea Nolan and Sam Chwat, Dale Hayes, for acting on camera, theatre, voice, accents, directing.
Donna is the founder of The Moonlighters, a troupe that performs for Senior Citizen Residences.
Currently auditioning for tv/film, works for Hudson Productions. Spring 2019 she will be directing One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest by Dale Wasserman adapted from the novel by Ken Kesey, produced by Hudson Players Club.

Melia CRESSATY – Helen Keller
Melia has been studying theatre with Theatre West for the past 3 years and has excitedly taken part in the following shows; Grease (Frenchie/Ms.Lynch), Rolston Towers (Spidey Woman), The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Cinderella (Cinderella). This is Melia’s first year with Lakeshore Players Dorval and she is thrilled to portray Helen Keller. An avid history buff, Melia was always fascinated with Helen’s story. Melia has always loved acting and wishes to study theatre in Cegep/University and wishes to pursue a career as an actress. Currently, in Grade 6, she looks forward to graduation and starting high school next year! Melia wishes to thank the amazing cast, crew and production staff who have been so supportive throughout this process. She is also happy to be participating in this production with her real-life mom, Jennifer, who is playing Kate Keller. She would also like to thank her two sisters; Alexandria and Elysia for the endless support and love they show her, as well as her Daddy for letting her stay out late for rehearsals and always believing in her.

Stephanie VON RORETZ – Annie Sullivan
Stephanie is a graduate of Dawson College’s Professional Theatre Program. After graduating she toured with the Montreal Shakespeare Theatre Company for four years performing adapted Shakespeare plays such as Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. After having served as Business Manager on the Board of Directors last season, she is thrilled to be back on stage as Miss Annie Sullivan! She is excited and humbled to be portraying such a tenacious and incredible woman and couldn’t have asked for a better cast and crew to work with. This is her sixth production with Lakeshore Players Dorval and will definitely be among her favourites! Her past credits with LPD include And Then There Were None, Don’t Dress for Dinner, Sabrina Fair, The Mousetrap, and Crimes of the Heart. She is very proud of this show and thanks all the cast and crew for their hard work and dedication. Let’s work some miracles!

Jennifer MARTIN – Kate Keller
This is Jenny’s first year with Lakeshore Players Dorval and getting to play Kate Keller has been amazing – not only does she get to play such a heartfelt character, but she gets to play it alongside one of her real-life daughters, Melia (aka Helen Keller). Last year Jenny returned to theatre, after a long absence, in Hudson Music Club’s productions of Once Upon a Mattress (Wizard), which was incredible and has also been a part of the Becket Players last 2 shows making so many wonderful friends in each of these productions. Jenny would like to thank all her fellow Lakeshore Players Dorval members for making her feel like part of the family and is so honored to work with each one of them! Jenny would like to thank her supportive husband, Alain, and adoring daughters: Alexandria (brilliant ballerina), Melia (amazing actress) and Elysia (extraordinary engineer), as well as so many amazing friends (who had to listen to countless audition sides) for all their support in the past few years letting her reexplore her passion for theatre! Her next role will be portraying Trix in Hudson Music Club’s spring production of The Drowsy Chaperone.

Giulia PELLETIER – Percy/Blind Girl
Giulia Pelletier is a fun, aspiring young actress who absolutely loves Theater. She plans to go into the three-year acting program at John Abbott or the National Theater School of Canada. She is 18 years old and this is her first year at Lakeshore Players Dorval. She has acted in Spanish, French and English, and loves accents! Drama is her home: the only place where she fits in and can be herself in a supportive environment. She has done two acting programs at the National Theater School, in Montreal. She loves taking on different roles and embodying quirky characters. She is, in fact, rather peculiar herself!

John ELLIOTT – Captain Keller
John is looking forward to playing Captain Keller, as his first role with Lakeshore Players Dorval was almost 18 years ago playing Joe Keller in All My Sons! The symmetry is incidental but appreciated! This is John’s 14th appearance on stage with the group, having last been cast in The Curious Savage. He has also appeared at Hudson Village Theatre both in On Golden Pond and with The One Actors Troupe, at Mainline Theatre and at La Porte Bleue with Brave New Productions.
John also spent two seasons on the CBC television drama This Life, has appeared on Real Detective and Fatal Vows on Discovery Channel, Mohawk Girls, again on CBC, and in a number of independent films.
John considers it a privilege to play in a drama based on reality and hopes our audience enjoys our telling of the incredible story of The Miracle Worker.

Len RICHMAN – The Doctor
Len Richman, who has been part of the local theatre community for years in various capacities, is pleased at this time that Lakeshore Players Dorval decided to bring back the production of The Miracle Worker. An important classic that still resonates with young and old exemplifying courage, persistence, faith, friendship and loyalty, he is further pleased to be a small part of what was indeed, a “miracle.” Enjoy!

 

Andrew McLENNAN – James Keller
Andrew is back for his third season with Lakeshore Players Dorval. After performing in last year’s fall production as Damis in Molière’s Tartuffe, he is proud to be playing James Keller in The Miracle Worker. Andrew has worked on many musicals/theatre productions over the years in high school and with other community theatre groups, such as the Hudson Music Club in Once Upon a Mattress as Prince Dauntless. Ecstatic to be back on stage with such a talented cast and crew, Andrew hopes that you enjoy the show.

Sandy FERGUSON – Aunt Ev
Sandy studied theatre and dance in Montreal and has performed with Persephone Productions, Altera Vitae Productions, Three Blind Mice Productions, the Hudson Players Club and in Fools, Queen Milli of Galt, Steel Magnolias, Jane Eyre with Lakeshore Players Dorval. Sandy sang and danced for the Hudson Music Club, and performed in twelve of the Hudson Village Theatre Pantomimes. Sandy is a retired teacher of Fine Arts and teaches Classical Ballet to children of all ages. Sandy’s favourite roles include Truvy in Steel Magnolias, Thelma, in ’night Mother, Mrs. Boyle in The Mousetrap, Matron in Be My Baby, and Lily in Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks at Hudson Village Theatre. Sandy was seen most recently as Dottie in Good People at Centaur Theatre with a very special cast and wonderful director… a dream come true. Sandy’s film credits include Fatal Vows (CMJ), 19 – 2 (Bravo TV, 2014, Episode 4), The Detectives (CBC), Fathers and Their Daughters (Joe Rossi Short Film). Sandy is very pleased to be Aunt Ev with Lakeshore Players Dorval… a wonderful group of dedicated theatre people.

Amy LYON – Blind Girl
Amy is a Grade 9 student at Lakeside Academy. This is her first time with Lakeshore Players Dorval and the big stage. She is quite excited by this opportunity. Five years ago, she was a part of the play Fools directed by Steve Gillam as part of the plays at Dorval Strathmore United Church. When Amy is not at rehearsals, she can be found with the Girl Guides as a Pathfinder and also at Sparks as a “Spark Helper”. She is enjoying her Lakeshore Players Dorval experience and is having lots of fun learning about all that goes on in producing a play.

Ariane PIGEON – Martha/Blind Girl
Ariane has been acting and taking lessons since she was 9 years old. She has played in small productions with such roles as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and Chip in Beauty and the Beast. She is happy to be a part of Lakeshore Players Dorval’s production of The Miracle Worker.

 

Carolyn HUM – Viney
Newest member of Lakeshore Players Dorval. She fell into the role of Viney in the production of The Miracle Worker with no acting experience whatsoever. At first apprehensive, she’s really taking it in stride and enjoying her first time in the production. Thanks to everyone involved in The Miracle Worker for a wonderful experience.

 

Madison PAPAZIAN – Blind Girl
This is Madison’s first play and her first year with Lakeshore Players Dorval. She is honoured to have been given the opportunity to play one of the blind girls in The Miracle Worker. She is in Grade 9 at Beaconsfield High School and has been in the drama program since Grade 7. In Grade 8 she joined their improv team at BHS as well. Madison has a passion for acting and would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her throughout this amazing journey!

Lexi NYHUS – Blind Girl
Lexi is excited to have been cast as Alice who is one of the blind children in the orphanage. When she learned that the Lakeshore Players Dorval was doing The Miracle Worker she was excited at the opportunity for the first time to do a production with adults. Lexi has been in 5 plays before including playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and Prince Charming in Cinderella. Acting is one thing, and pretending to be blind is another! Putting these two things together is a challenge and she is excited about rising to the occasion. Thanks to the Director, Donna, for her patience and for teaching her so much and to the amazing cast and crew. None of this would be possible without them! Enjoy the show!

Max BURRONI – Mr. Anagnos
I’m a globetrotter with no formal training in acting but I have been teaching for 20 years and I guess that counts for theater credentials! Besides sharing my passion for words, history and literature with my students, I have also performed in various plays, mostly in Spain (including multiple roles in La Venganza de Don Mendo -a Spanish classic.)
The Miracle Worker is a wonderful story and I am really psyched to work and learn among such a dedicated and professional cast and crew. Heartfelt thanks to Donna for her kindness and patience and to my daughter Giulia for inspiring me to leave the classroom and take the stage.

Skyler St.LOUIS – Blind Girl
Skyler is a 15 year old girl who has loved the arts all her life. She likes to read, write, and draw, but most of all she loves to act. She is engaged in her drama class at Beaconsfield High School and was on the improv team for 2 years. Skyler has also been taking part in some acting and musical theatre productions during the summer in camps since she was 9 years old. It is her first year with Lakeshore Players Dorval and she is honoured to be a part of The Miracle Worker, as one of the blind girls.

 

Charyl HYNDMAN – Co-Producer
Charyl is delighted to try something new by co-producing The Miracle Worker alongside the incomparable Joe Dineen.  Charyl was last seen on stage as Annie in last year’s spring production of Calendar Girls and three years ago as Miss Tipdale in Not Now Darling.  She can also be seen in the annual Murder Mysteries at Dorval-Strathmore United Church.  Charyl is also involved on the Board of Lakeshore Players Dorval as Membership Director. Co-producing this show with such a talented cast and crew has been such a privilege and thanks to Donna Byrne for her patience working with a newbie.  Now sit back and prepare to be mesmerized!

Joe DINEEN – Co-Producer
Joe Dineen has performed in numerous “OFF BROADWAY” productions in New York such as Enter Laughing, Chorus Girls on Mars , Half Deserted Streets and Short Time. He has appeared in many Lakeshore Players Dorval productions as well as Hudson Village Theatre Pantos. He also played in Hail to the Chief, Sylvia and Gently Down The Stream with Brave New Productions.

 

Linda SHESHKO – Stage Manager
This is Linda’s tenth season with Lakeshore Players Dorval, and her fourth go-round as Stage Manager. After serving as Board Secretary for three years and playing a variety of roles on stage, she enjoys the challenges of this important but largely invisible job. She is grateful to all concerned in this production for creating onstage miracles with their talent, dedication, and hard work. On with the show!

 

Marian PINE – Script Assistant
Marian has been a member of Lakeshore Players Dorval since 2011 after retiring. She has worked Front of House, helped with costumes and been a script assistant. She has been on the play selection committee for three years. She was in Fiddler on the Roof in high school and later in the ’90s a member of a small theatre group called PIG DOG PLAYHOUSE. She hopes everyone enjoys our wonderful production of the classic story of Helen Keller and her miracle worker Annie Sullivan.

Gillian GILBERT – Assistant Stage Manager
Originally from the U.K., Gillian started her stage appearances in rock bands (notably with Steve Hackett/Genesis). In Canada she appeared with Le Festin du Gouverneur and Mont Royal Operatic Society before joining Lakeshore Players Dorval. Over the past 24 productions, Gillian has absolutely loved being part of the “Players” family appearing on stage in the fabulous Calendar Girls, Shakespeare in Hollywood and Jane Eyre as well as backstage with Holli and all the wonderful casts & crews and wishes to thank everyone for such a rich and rewarding experience. Please go on supporting community theatre – it’s so much better than “twitter”!

Richard STARR – Sound Designer
Richard Starr is an audio engineer from Montreal, QC. After mostly recording music in studio environments, he is beginning his foray into theatre with Lakeshore Players Dorval.

 

Holli DRUM – Assistant Stage Manager
Holli has been a Lakeshore Players Dorval staple for almost 25 years, and a priceless member of the backstage team. Holli and Gillian have volunteered to work backstage for all three productions for the last several years. Lakeshore Players Dorval would like to express their gratitude for her dedication to community theatre. In her other life, Holli works with seniors and is very involved with the Girl Guides as a Brownie and Ranger leader in Dorval.

Karen PEARCE- Costume Designer
Karen has been involved in many aspects of theatre production over the years; producer, director, choreographer but at some point in time Karen realized that costuming was a great excuse to expand her wardrobe, engage in a genetically predetermined hoarding tendency (it’s not my fault, it’s in my genes) and stay in shape (weight training!). She’s on her way to having the biggest walk-in closet on the West Island (some people call them garages). If you’re a Lakeshore Players Dorval regular you’ve probably seen Karen’s work over the past couple of years in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Cat’s Meow, And Then There Were None, The Mousetrap, Tartuffe and Calendar Girls. Karen loves to paint a picture with color, pattern and sparkle and some people say they can recognize her costumes even before reading the program (Karen hopes this is a good thing). Karen is grateful to LP for their support.

Jo-Ann PINE – Script Assistant
Jo-Ann joined Lakeshore Players Dorval during the 1997-98 season and has worked behind the scenes for approximately 45 plays, (costumes, script, hair, baker) and Front of House for most of the plays from her membership through this year. She was a member of the board twice and chair of the nominating committee. She once belonged to a small theatre group in the last century. She had the grey hair long before joining Lakeshore Players Dorval.

Steve WOODWARD & Bill FLETCHER – Set Construction
Steve Woodward and Bill Fletcher are true Lakeshore Players Dorval veterans. Steve started set-building for LPD in the late 1980’s and, after a 20-year absence, returned to the fold in 2010 and has worked on every show since then, as well as developing set designs for The Mousetrap and The Curious Savage. Bill came to LPD for a part in My Three Angels in 1995 and is still haunting the wings, serving as Production Manager over 30 shows since 2001.

Alex SMITH – Lighting Designer
Alex is a Montreal-based lighting designer, stage manager and playwright, and is pleased to be back with Lakeshore Players for the first time since 2015’s Shakespeare in Hollywood. As a designer, his work has toured as far afield as Halifax, New York, and Winnipeg. Additionally, Alex serves as a resident stage manager for Dawson College’s Professional Theatre department.

 

Darlene REYNOLDS – Property Mistress & Decor
Darlene has been part of the backstage crew for both Lakeshore Players Dorval & Hudson Player’s Club, let’s just say forever, in many capacities.
Every play is unique and every play has its challenges and that’s what brings her back for more.
Speaking of challenges, Helen Keller had her fair share. But both her and her teacher, Annie Sullivan, were strong women who worked as a team and overcame those difficulties.
Darlene would most especially like to congratulate the children in this production for their professionalism and consummate dedication.