Madison Ferris
Madison Ferris is an American actress, best known for portraying Laura Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie.
Madison Ferris | |
---|---|
Born | Pennsylvania |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Muhlenberg College |
Occupation | Actor, Dancer |
Years active | 2014 - present |
Known for | The Glass Menagerie 2017 Revival |
Ferris double-majored in theatre and communications at Muhlenberg College.[1][2] After graduation, she moved to New York City, and got her first professional performance opportunity as a paid dancer at the Joyce Theater.[3] Ferris performed in two dance pieces, Ballet (New York) and The Show Must Go On by French choreographer Jerome Bel.[1][4]
The Glass Menagerie
Ferris was traveling in Australia when the casting notice for Sam Gold's revival of The Glass Menagerie was announced.[3] Unable to fly back for the audition, she submitted a videotape.[5] Ferris flew back to the US for a callback, then was asked back again to read with the play's star, Sally Field.[1] A short time after, Ferris was cast in the role of Laura Wingfield.
Ferris made history as Broadway's first lead actor in a wheelchair.[6] The show opened with the house lights on as Amanda slowly brought Laura up the steps to the stage, right in front of the audience.[7] In discussing how she gave Laura agency, Ferris says,
“We discussed how to make her human, and how to make her a subject of the play rather than an object...We wanted her to be strong; we wanted her to have a voice, to have opinions, to love her family, to want to hang out with Jim O’Connor.” [8]
References
- 1 2 3 Peterson, Margie (April 14, 2017). "Muhlenberg College grad makes Broadway history in 'The Glass Menagerie'". themorningcall.com. The Morning Call. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
- ↑ Ferris, Kevin (February 3, 2017). "Ferris: Broadway bound, one determined step at a time". Philly.com. Philadelphia Media Network. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
- 1 2 Quinn, Dave (23 March 2017). "Breaking Boundaries on Broadway! Meet Glass Menagerie Star Madison Ferris". People.com. People. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
- ↑ McBride, Seth (March 9, 2017). "New Production of "The Glass Menagerie" Stars Wheelchair User Madison Ferris - New Mobility". www.newmobility.com. New Mobility. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
- ↑ Hoffman, Barbara (5 April 2017). "Wheelchair-bound actress is living her dream onstage with Sally Field". New York Post. New York Post. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
- ↑ NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (May 21, 2017). "Actress Breaking Barriers as Broadway's First Lead Actor in Wheelchair". NBC News. NBC News. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
- ↑ Teeman, Tim (10 March 2017). "Review: A Radical and Shattering 'Glass Menagerie,' Starring Sally Field, Storms Broadway". The Daily Beast. The Daily Beast Company. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
- ↑ Peitzman, Louis (April 17, 2017). "Meet The Actor With A Disability Who Is Helping To Transform A Classic Play". BuzzFeed. Buzzfeed. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
External links