New play about Hellen Keller
John M. Orman figured most people were like him when it came to their knowledge of Helen Keller. The life of this American icon was a portrait frozen in time by the drama “The Miracle Worker” — a deaf, blind, silent 12-year-old girl beginning to overcome her disabilities.
“Children’s books say she’s courageous and outspoken, but they don’t say about what,” said Dr. Orman, who is chairman of the political science department at Fairfield University. “She had a whole radical past which I never knew about.”
Despite his expertise in presidential politics and political movements, it wasn’t until Dr. Orman read James W. Loewen’s book “Lies My Teacher Told Me” that he discovered Ms. Keller the activist.
Ms. Keller, who lived in Easton most of her adult life and died there in 1968, was outspoken on some of the most contentious and formative social and political issues of her day. In the early 20th century she was a socialist, opposed World War I, supported women’s suffrage, was a founding member of the American Civil Liberties Union and generally fought for progressive causes and anyone who was in need.
It was all documented in her speeches and letters, which Dr. Orman has pulled together into “Helen Keller Speaks,” a cross between a play and a dramatic reading that spans the years 1913 to 1919. Though he has written a number of scholarly books, this is Dr. Orman’s first effort at drama. It will be performed at Fairfield University on March 14 with proceeds going to the American Foundation for the Blind.
Read entire article at NYT
“Children’s books say she’s courageous and outspoken, but they don’t say about what,” said Dr. Orman, who is chairman of the political science department at Fairfield University. “She had a whole radical past which I never knew about.”
Despite his expertise in presidential politics and political movements, it wasn’t until Dr. Orman read James W. Loewen’s book “Lies My Teacher Told Me” that he discovered Ms. Keller the activist.
Ms. Keller, who lived in Easton most of her adult life and died there in 1968, was outspoken on some of the most contentious and formative social and political issues of her day. In the early 20th century she was a socialist, opposed World War I, supported women’s suffrage, was a founding member of the American Civil Liberties Union and generally fought for progressive causes and anyone who was in need.
It was all documented in her speeches and letters, which Dr. Orman has pulled together into “Helen Keller Speaks,” a cross between a play and a dramatic reading that spans the years 1913 to 1919. Though he has written a number of scholarly books, this is Dr. Orman’s first effort at drama. It will be performed at Fairfield University on March 14 with proceeds going to the American Foundation for the Blind.