Artist’s Repertory Theater and Harper’s Playground Make Miracles Happen

Portland, January 15th, 2016. It’s the closing weekend of Artist’s Repertory Theater’s much heralded production of The Miracle Worker. The dramatic telling of the story of Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan, has thrilled audiences. (Photo credit, Owen Carey) To promote the show and a local nonprofit making playgrounds more accessible for children with disabilities, Harper’s Playground, Artists Repertory Theater donated 20% of ticket sales from several performances of The Miracle Worker to Harper’s Playground

For children with disabilities, most of our playground equipment in our public parks is unusable, effectively excluding them from participation. The Harper’s Playground project seeks to remedy this by providing an accessible and inclusive environment for children and adults of all abilities.

Administrators at ART learned that Agatha Olson, who plays Helen, has been involved with Harper’s Playground and her family knows the founding family, as well.

Artists Rep_The Miracle Worker__Agatha Olson as Helen Keller with Val Landrum as Anne Sullivan_photo by Owen Carey

The Miracle Worker features Agatha Olson as Helen Keller with Val Landrum as Anne Sullivan (photo by Owen Carey)

The Miracle Worker featuring Joshua Weinstein, Agatha Olson, Val Landrum, Amy Newman (photo by Owen Carey).

From ART:

Artists Repertory Theatre Portland’s premier mid-size regional theatre company is led by Artistic Director Dámaso Rodriguez and Managing Director Sarah Horton. Founded in 1982, Artists Repertory Theatre is the longest running professional theatre company in Portland. For the 2015/16 season Artists Rep offers eight bold and entertaining plays written by internationally acclaimed playwrights, and guided by esteemed directors. Artists Rep productions feature the work of a core group of accomplished Resident Artists, each with a shared history and a shorthand for collaboration, working alongside guest artists from Portland and beyond. Artists Rep’s mission is to engage diverse audiences in fresh, thought-provoking and intimate theatre. We are committed to world-class acting, directing, design and stagecraft that support new playwriting and aspire to embody great literature, moving audiences to truly feel — to experience — storytelling in a way that only the best live theatre can.

From Harper’s Playground:

Harper’s Playground at Arbor Lodge Park, Portland’s first and only fully inclusive playground, opened in 2012 and has become a destination for families across the city and region. Click here for a map and address, and we hope to see you there soon!

Harper’s Playground’s next project at Gateway Park (Northeast) is currently in the final design phase and will begin construction in 2016. Click here to read more!

We are also beginning to fundraise and build community support for a new fully inclusive playground at Couch Park (Northwest). Click here for more about that project!

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.