This is a story about the production of The Miracle Worker in the spring of 1970 at George Dewey High School in Subic Bay, Philippines. Mrs. Brenda Mallett taught the Sophomore English class from 1969 to 1970, and she was the Director of the production of The Miracle Worker. How did the idea even come into being at that time and that is the exact question I asked of Brenda Mallett! We spoke by telephone a few weeks ago for the first time in almost 45 years, and she graciously answered my questions about the development of the play.
Mrs. Mallett said that she remembered it all started from a project in class where the students picked a part from a scene of a play and acted it out. She said that they all loved and enjoyed doing it so much that a few of the students came up to her in class and asked if they could perform the whole play for the school. At first, Mrs. Mallett thought to herself, oh I don’t really have experience as a drama director and what do I say to the students…well, she decided to say yes because she did not want them to end up looking back in the years ahead and wonder what would have happened if they had performed the play for the school? After a little more thinking, Mrs. Mallett said to the students that she would need their help and were they really willing to help in putting on the production of The Miracle Worker for the school? The students said sure let’s do it and they agreed to help and do whatever it took, and thus began the making of the production of The Miracle Worker for the George Dewey High School!
There were some obstacles and challenges in managing this production. For instance, Mrs. Mallett said that the school’s facilities were quite limited; there was not a drama department, props, costumes, set equipment, and that really for our type of set that was used in the production, it was quite imagined, and there just was not a lot to work with, except that of all the talents of others coming and putting it together.
In the beginning stages of the production, the students tried out for their parts. Originally, I remember that Melani (Cladas) Boultier auditioned for the part of Annie Sullivan, and I for the part of Helen Keller, and so it was decided by Mrs. Mallett that we should switch the roles due to our height difference since it would make it more believable to the characters.
Annie Sullivan meeting Mrs. Keller (Donna Ritz) and Mr. Keller (John Mitchell) as Helen’s new teacher
What I remember most about this production, is working with Mrs. Mallett, and the other students. We all worked as a team and had a lot of fun doing it! Everyone was very encouraging and would help you along if you were struggling with a part or needed help with direction, the sound, lights, props, platform, costumes, and publicity. It just worked, and we were enthusiastic, and we had fun and quite a few laughs!
In this production, there were a couple of fight scenes between Helen and Annie at the dinner table where Annie was trying to discipline Helen and teach her to fold a napkin and sit at the table. For Melani, playing the role of Helen, which was already a challenging enough role to play, it was also a very physical part to play, she spent a good portion of the play, crawling around on the floor, as well as contending in the fight scenes between her and Annie.
Another evening at a dinner scene where a physical altercation ensued because Annie & Helen (Melanie Cladas Boultier) Helen would not adhere to Annie’s teachings.
Though, some of our recollections of the play are minimal because of the years gone by, it does not take away the heart-felt memories. For me, I distinctly remember of what it felt like during the last scene where Melani and I were at the water pump, and how it felt emotionally as we were deeply rooted in our roles, and where finally Helen makes the connection of sound and word and says “water!” After the play ended many of our classmates from the audience came up to us and said that some of the audience had cried! I remember feeling surprised yet relieved, and it really meant a lot to know that! I wish that I had kept a journal during the making of the production so that I would have more material to share but nothing can take away the experience that each and every one of us had in knowing Brenda Mallett and the influences she had on us, as a student in her class and working with her in the production of The Miracle Worker. She definitely impacted so many of us. Brenda Mallett was a top-notch classy teacher who honestly cared for her students.
Mr. Keller (John Mitchell) consoling Helen because Annie was trying to teach Helen to fold a napkin and teach her table manners as Helen would go to everyone’s dinner plates one by one grabbing their food and running around the dinner table not wanting to sit in her chair at the dinner table.
Melani shared the following about the production of the play:
“Such a wonderful memory for me to perform with such a memorable cast!! We really rocked it. I was so flattered that we made members of the audience cry. To me that was the greatest compliment!” Melani said that she received two fan letters, one from Mrs. Lillian Mitchell (John and George Mitchell’s mother), wrote that she was “so eloquent as the blind, deaf and dumb Helen Keller,” and a second note from Mrs. Sidwell (Marilyn Sidwell’s mother) that “she will never forget how great our performances were.” Melani also shared her thoughts of Brenda Mallett: “I think that Mrs. Mallett has enormous good taste to choose that particular play that evokes such compassion that even the most hardened of hearts can’t fail to respond to it. It resonates with everybody. Mrs. Mallett seems to have been a special person in all the teenagers’ hearts, and for me touched heartstrings!”
The dinner scene with Mrs. Keller (Donna Ritz) consoling Helen because of Annie’s tactics of discipline
George Mitchell
shared that he remembered during one of the rehearsals, that some of the cast members were not taking their lines and parts seriously and were “cutting up.” He said that Mrs. Mallett “got quite firm” with us and said that we only had about a week before opening night and that if we did not get serious that she would forget doing the play altogether. George said that the cast members were “surprised” by Mrs. Mallett’s firmness because she was “always so amicable!” When I asked Mrs. Mallett about the incident, she really couldn’t remember it but said at that time, she probably had to remind us that we had all agreed earlier to help and follow through in making this production.
Annie & James, Helen’s older brother played by Steve Smith. James always sarcastic and taunted Annie about her method of trying to discipline Helen to help her.
George Mitchell also said that “Mrs. Mallett made the production of The Miracle Worker what it was, and because Mrs. Mallett’s direction was subtle and brilliant that it unified everyone. It was one of the best theatrical productions performed, and especially at our school.” George also commented, “What a great show and cast. My father took a number of photos of the show and I remember he was shooting Melani and one of his flash bulbs exploded. She was so into her character that she never flinched or acknowledged the mishap.”
Ramona “Mona” Kincaid shared:
“I do remember the ‘production.’ I was either the stage or props manager in charge of lots of items, each having to be placed in a particular location before the curtains opened. I remember that it was very hectic and I think I was running around in a manner that I can only recall as being uber amped out and overly officious. Rosa Asuelo and I had a small acting part in the very beginning where we played two little girls fighting in front of Helen and I distinctly remember that Rosa had a pair of scissors in her hand that veered close to my head. Her attempt at realism was very convincing. Melani’s acting was superb; she really took it seriously and probably made some of us to stretch a little more.
Mrs. Mallett was our real inspiration; she was so patient with us and yet kept us motivated. If you were inclined towards the arts in any way, you may have gotten a little push from Mrs. Mallett and this production. I remember she had a wry sense of humor and quietly encouraged all of us to pursue whatever talent we displayed at that time. I think I did a little write up for Mrs. Mallett about the night of the play but I couldn’t find my copy.”
The final scene with Helen and Annie at the water pump when Helen finally makes the connection of the word water by Annie spelling it in Helen’s hand and by touching the water from the pump, Helen speaks the word “water” for the first time!
David Haefeli shared the following:
“There are events in our lives, things that are locked into our memory as if they happened yesterday. We all remember where we were at the time of the Kennedy tragedy, the moon landing, our first kiss, first love, and so on. These are probably not complete recollections of the entire event, but snatches of time, visual memories, songs, emotions… and that is how I remember the production of the story of Helen Keller, and her teacher Annie Sullivan.
This was a project of our 10th grade English class taught by Mrs. Brenda Mallett- one of those many exceptional DOD school teachers who easily enjoyed life and had a passion that is hard to find in teachers now. She loved her subject, loved her job, but most importantly, she loved her students (who indeed loved her as well.)
My memory of the production is incomplete, but some of the parts I do remember are clear, vivid, and have been among the inspirational things I think about when thinking back to two of the most important formative years of my life.
I had two jobs in the production. I was part of the team that handled the props and the scenery changes between the acts. I have distinct memories of shuffling furniture and backdrops around the stage quickly in the dark guided by my obsessive compulsiveness into the right spot. Mona and Fred were on the team, and as I recall, we got it right with no major foul ups.
My second job was as the doctor in the opening scene of the play. This is a much more vivid and accurate memory. “She’ll live… But I can tell you now I thought she wouldn’t.” Short, to the point, implying that Helen as an infant had a serious illness, recovered, and things did not look good. I still remember exactly the words to those lines. I guess that’s because these are the only lines I have ever had, or ever will have, I suspect, in any sort of theatrical production. Even though my acting career was short, I did reprise my role in real life as a doctor- specializing in Family Practice, and do a fair amount of pediatrics as part of it. Thank goodness I never had to repeat those lines for any of my real patients!
I remember the rehearsals, and the story, but the majority of the play, when it was performed, was not my focus as I was preparing for the next scene change. So my recollections here are not quite as acute. I do remember it went very well, lines were remembered, timing was good, and the actors were sharp. I remember John as the father in a very authoritative roll which was quite different from his usual joking and self-deprecating humor. I also remember Nancy as the comic relief, playing the Keller’s servant, and that they both did a fantastic job, but these are fading memories and not well recalled.
I did, however, get to watch the final scene as I had no further prop responsibilities to worry about. This was, of course, the intense ending of the play. This was the build up after all the tension, the struggle, and the developing discipline and understanding between the teacher (Annie) and the student (Helen).
I recall this scene as if it were yesterday. The memory is vivid, intense, unfading. This was the scene where Mel and Stige were at the water pump- except it wasn’t Mel, it was Helen, and it wasn’t Stige, it was Annie. Annie was signing into Helen’s hand the word for water, and pumping away. Water was gushing from the pump, and Helen was fighting as she had during most of the play until the connection was made and she finally understood. Annie had finally gotten through to her and the understanding flowed in both directions. There were tears of joy, real tears, and at that point it transcended the limits of the play and became as real as life can be, with the emotions being felt by all those watching. The audience was singularly focused on the scene, initially silent, and then some of them were crying too, then as the play ended, thunderous applause and a standing ovation. To say it was overwhelming is not enough, it was unforgettable…
So these are my recollections of the “Miracle Worker.” It was a great example of why those brief years in Subic, as military brats, were so special to all of us. We were true friends, and we worked together, not for our own recognition, but for each other and for Mrs. Mallett. We were close, cared for each other, and in many ways our individual lives were deeply and unforgettably enriched by all these friendships. It is why we have such fond memories of each other and of those times, why we enjoy so much reading all the stories and memories shared on these forums, and why we should continue to share our thoughts and feelings and great stories of those wonderful years.”
The cast after the end introducing their Director and teacher, Mrs.Mallett to come up on the stage.
Nancy Demyttenaere, who played the role of “Viney” wrote:
“I have vague memories of the play, so seeing the pictures would be fun. I only remember three things about the play: John Mitchell was really cute wearing sideburns for his part, I had to step out onto a table in front of the stage to pump an old water pump (which was unnerving) and I was actually pretty shy.”
Mrs. Mallett accepting the bouquet of roses and key made by the students.
Deborah (Merchant) Cramer commented: “That was an awesome production and performance!! I still remember how great you guys were in your roles!”
Steve Sego commented: “That was a great show. Mrs. Mallett put so much into this, and the ‘stars’ lined up well with the combination of chemistry and talent in that group. Great to see these pics, that’s how I remember you all!”
Mrs. Mallett added that without having a background in drama, in a way this production was a little scary for her, and she remembers thinking at that time, “Holy cow” we are really going to do this, and that it was a little intimidating for her. In fact, one afternoon when she was driving in the car on base, an advertisement of the production of The Miracle Worker came on the radio announcing that it would be performed at the George Dewey High School! She remembers thinking wow that the whole base would know and she realized that it was really going to happen, and thinking it could go either way, yet she “remained hopeful”.
Mrs. Mallett said that she had invited her husband, Don Mallett, and quite a few of their friends for the night of the performance. She remembers not wanting to sit with them that evening because she was feeling anxious, and decided to sit by herself. Once the play started, though feeling the anxiousness, she said that something occurred, and from her writing below she described what happened in a scene shortly after the play began.
The following is from what Mrs. Mallett wrote to John Mitchell’s brother, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and asked that he share it with his family after she learned of John’s untimely passing:
My Memories of John Mitchell
Thinking of John, I find myself smiling. Every day during the 1969-70 school year, John regaled me and his fellow students and puns, limericks, and rhyming thoughts—all laced with humor. It wasn’t just that John was ‘funny’–which he was–but he was also bright, insightful, and very creative. He had the ability to put others at ease and to know when to poke fun at something that seemed to weighty, too serious, or too stodgy. One of his closest friends and fellow ‘pun-masters’ was Nancy Demyttenaere and together they wrote the classic booklet: ‘Dr, Scholl’s Cornies’. It contains 54 very clever puns and looks quite ‘professional’ in the days before computers and copy machines. It also stands as a reminder that humor and laughter help us cope with frustrations and hardships which were numerous in our days of living overseas.
It was John who set the tone for our memorable night of drama, and what a fantastic night it turned out to be. It seemed unbelievable to think that a random group of sophomores, who just happened to be in the same English class, had decided to produce ‘The Miracle Worker’ for the entire naval base. Thinking back to that evening of wonder, I am in awe of what these sixteen year olds did–with such modest sets, spartan props, and primitive stage conditions and under the direction of an English teacher with no drama experience–they staged a remarkable night of theater. Each student involved in the play displayed such maturity and determination–they possessed a rare tenacity and passion to envision and then implement this production. There was no question that John would play Helen’s father–it was the only strong male part–and it was his discovery and realization of Helen’s deafness that brought the play alive at the conclusion of the first scene. In such a strong, clear voice John cried out plaintively his understanding that Helen could not hear. But it was more than mere volume and strength in John’s voice that electrified us. There was such anguish and emotion conveyed with the words that the audience was transformed with chills and tears–and they also realized this was going to be a most memorable night of drama. To this day I still get tears in my eyes whenever I remember that evening of ‘The Miracle Worker’–it truly was remarkable.”
As a student John vividly stands out in my memory. I wish I would have been able to know him as an adult–would have had the chance to talk over the arts, politics, social issues, and hear his opinion about all manner of tropics–would have had the chance to hear more of his puns and ‘funnies’. I am grateful that I knew him in his formative years–he was the kind of student a teacher never forgets. I know he will be missed greatly by those who knew him and loved him, and I mourn his passing especially at his much-too young age. But I know his spirit will live on, and that friends and family will retell favorite ‘John stories’, laughing and crying together, finding comfort in the memories.
Sincerely,
Brenda Mallett
Mrs. Mallett also shared the notes that she received from John’s mother, Mrs. Lillian Mitchell, who wrote the following after the conclusion of the production:
April 24 1970
Dear Cast,
Your outstanding performance and the co-operation and team work demonstrated by you and the crew who helped stage the production of The Miracle Worker was outstanding.
The seemingly flawless presentation, the quiet and efficient changing of the sets, the costuming and the most effective understatement of the sets all contributed to a performance that will be remembered for a long time by all who saw it.
I am truly sorry that the evening was not shared by more people. It was, I believe, the best amateur performance (adult Little Theater included) that I have seen in many years.
Thank you,
Lillian F. Mitchell
(Mrs. George T. Mitchell)”
April 24, 1970
Dear Mrs. Mallett,
You should be dubbed ‘The Miracle Worker’ after the professional performance you drew from those Sophomores. It was truly a moving performance.
While it is understandable that there was quite a bit of sentimental emotion generated along the first row where we proud parents sat, we were not alone – there were many, many in the audience as entranced and deeply moved as we.
Our congratulations and thanks,
Lillian F. Mitchell
(Mrs. George T. Mitchell)
P.S. How about Hamlet, OedipusRexor The Lion in Winter as the next offering? With your guidance and the cast’s enthusiasm and devotion to you – anything is possible!
Lfm
Mrs. Mallett said that she was very appreciative for all of the “behind the scenes” work that everyone put into The Miracle Worker, including all the help in making and providing costumes, props, scenery, all of the work involved for the sound and lighting, and for all of the work put into the publicity. Mrs. Mallett was very pleased with the students and gives them the credit for the “wonderful” job in how they stepped up and carried the production through.
On stage at the conclusion of the performance, the cast members presented Mrs. Mallett with a bouquet of red roses and a wooden key (made by the students), inscribed:
“Mrs. Mallett
Hang this ‘key’ upon the wall
to be seen by one and all,
that it may show our thanks to you
For your work and patience too.
From
The cast and crew of
the Miracle Worker.”
Mrs. Mallett said that the students from her English class gave her a scrapbook, which she still has today, and on the brass plate on the scrapbook is the inscription:
“MRS. BRENDA MALLETT
HERE’S TO YOU IN THANKS FOR UNLOCKING OUR HEARTS AND
MINDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR 1969-70
A REMINDER THAT WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU”
YOUR SOPHOMORE
ENGLISH CLASS”
Mrs. Mallett had a way of making you feel that you were important and that you mattered; and treated each student as an individual who had gifts. She encouraged you and she was very good at drawing you out in order to have you reach further, and her confidence flowed to you as a student and transformed you to be more confident in yourself. I remember her classes being very interesting and often thought provoking because of certain projects she would have us do in class.
Mrs. Mallett will always be remembered not only for the great and hard work that she put into the production of The Miracle Worker, but also for her kindness, gentle nature, patience, intelligence, wisdom and sense of humor! She taught with genuine compassion and love for her students, and we all loved her!!
Thank you, Mrs. Mallett, for nudging us as your students the opportunity to be a part of your great production, and believing that we could even do it, and really allowing all of us to have a time to shine! It was truly a highlight for each and every one of us during our time at Subic Bay! You will always be dear and close to our hearts as you have remained to this day.
I would like to thank the following people who helped with writing this article:
Al Morel, for asking me to do a write-up on The Miracle Worker for the GDHS Website; for his help as editor for this article; and for helping to get other classmates’ contact information for their feedback and comments.
Melani (Cladas) Boultier for her advice, help and feedback.
George Mitchell, for spending time with me on the phone to discuss the production of The Miracle Worker, for his insight, input and comments.
David Haefeli, for his willingness to correspond with me about his role as one of the Doctors and of his thoughts and comments.
Steve Sego, for giving me the reconnection to our wonderful Brenda Mallett to discuss with her the production of The Miracle Worker, and for his comment.
Ramona “Mona” Kincaid, for her willingness to correspond with me about her roles as a cast member and props manager, and for her insight.
Nancy Demyttenaere, for corresponding with me about her role and thoughts for the article.
Marc Sapitan, for helping me to reconnect with Mona Kincaid for her input, and for also having a hand in finding Mrs. Mallett through Steve Sego and Al Morel.
I would also like to give a special thank you to Mrs. Lillian Mitchell, for a very sweet and encouraging note that she gave to me after the play. Through all the years since that evening, that I would find her lovely note and how it still could make me smile and endear her to my heart once again. Also, a special thank you to Mr. Mitchell, who I believe gave me the pictures that I have from the scenes of the play.
To Mrs. Brenda Mallett, a special thank you for spending time on the phone in talking with me about The Miracle Worker, for her thoughts, insight and input for this article, as well as sharing her artifacts from the production. The joy of talking with Mrs. Mallett again after so many years will forever be remembered in my mind and heart!
As a reminder of the amazing woman that Helen Keller was, below is a quote from Helen Keller from the Biography Online about Women, (1880-1968):
“Once I knew the depth where no hope was, and darkness lay on the face of all things. Then love came and set my soul free. Once I knew only darkness and stillness. Now I know hope and joy. Once I fretted and beat myself against the wall that shut me in. Now I rejoice in the consciousness that I can think, act and attain heaven. My life was without past or future; death, the pessimist would say, “a consummation devoutly to be wished.” But a little word from the fingers of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness and my heart leaped to the rapture of living. Night fled before the day of thought, and love and joy and hope came up in a passion of obedience to knowledge. Can anyone who escaped such captivity, who has felt the thrill and glory of freedom, be a pessimist?”
– Optimism (1903)
http://www.biographyonline.net/women/helen-keller.html
From the program of The Miracle Worker is the following list of Credits and Cast Members:
Credits
Directed by Mrs. Brenda Mallett
Props by Dave Haefeli, Fred Ubaldo and Mona Kincaid
Publicity by Diane Marshall and Randy Waldrip
Sound by Terry Day
Lights by Larry Steenson
Dave McElroy showed interest to come and help us along.
Dave Barron built the platform (with the help of Mr. Stauffer) and also for the good advice he was able to offer George Mitchell for all the help he gave.
Cast
Annie Sullivan…. Debi Stilgebouer
Helen……………… Melani Cladas
Arthur Keller…….John Mitchell
Kate…………………Donna Ritz
James……………… Steve Smith
Aunt Ev……………Vickie Carley
Viney……………….Nancy Demyttenaere
Dr. Anagnos……..Larry Steenson
Martha……………..Mona Kincaid
Prissy……………….Rosa Asuelo
1st Doctor…………Dave Haefeli
Offstage Voices
Annie……………….Debi Stilgebouer
1st Chrone………..Randy Waldrip
2nd Chrone……….Terry Day
3rd Chrone………..Steve Morin
Boy’s Voice……….Charles Tucker
Doctor’s Voice……Dave Barron
(Editor: And, if you’re still with us, here are a couple of bonus documents for you…)
- Miracle Worker Article from the base news
- The Miracle Worker Program and Mrs. Mallett’s Cast Beach Party Invitation