BWW Features: The Stage is a Family Affair at Desert Theatreworks

Daniela Ryan is making her directorial debut at Desert Theatreworks (DTW), in its production of THE MIRACLE WORKER. Violet Feath, who just turned eleven and is entering the sixth grade, plays Helen Keller. What form of address does the director prefer the eleven-year-old actor to use? Ms. Ryan? Daniela? How about Mom?

Broadway World asked mother and daughter about what it is like to juggle the two, potentially conflicting relationships. Ms. Feath acknowledged that it is "kind of unusual" for a parent to direct a child in a production. However, Ms. Feath is "kind of okay with it" because her mom is a "really good director."

Ms. Ryan, who majored in theater at the University of California (Berkeley campus) and received her masters degree in film and television from San Diego State University, said that, before rehearsals on THE MIRACLE WORKER started, she went back and forth about directing a production in which Violet would play a major role. She said that she alternated between thinking "Yay" and having "Oh God moments."

Ms. Ryan said that, ultimately, directing her daughter "went very well" because Ms. Ryan was able to keep her mom status out of the theater. On the other hand, her directorial role sometimes seeped into other areas, and she found herself intently discussing the play with Violet away from the theater, when they should have been doing something else.

Violet's older brother, Angus Feath, also an actor, is a member of the stage crew for THE MIRACLE WORKER. Ms. Ryan and Angus worked together extensively in January of this year, in DTW's LOST IN YONKERS. Both played major parts (Bella and Arty) and mother and son performed together in several key scenes, although Ms. Ryan did not direct that show.

The Ryan-Feath family is not the only one working together at DTW. The theatre's co-founders, Lance and Ron Phillips-Martinez, are spouses who jointly run the company, with Lance serving as artistic director and Ron as executive director with an additional artistic role. He designed the sets and costumes for THE MIRACLE WORKER and attends the last week of rehearsals when Lance directs to provide a second pair of eyes regarding what works and what doesn't. Their children, twelve-year-old Maddox and six-year-old Tess, also pitch in in various capacities; they collected tickets during last Friday's performance.

Ron Phillips-Martinez said that the company itself functions as a family, with everyone eager to assist the other troupe members. Actors not appearing in a particular production often serve as stagehands or do whatever else the ensemble needs. During rehearsals for THE MIRACLE WORKER, the company members showed their mettle when the original actor playing Captain Keller had to drop out almost at the last minute. Lance Phillips-Martinez assumed the difficult role with only four rehearsals left. His husband said that the rest of the cast did what they could to ease his transition, such as helping him with his lines.

As Ron Phillips-Martinez explained, "When something needs to be done, we all pitch in."

For ticket information regarding DTW's production of THE MIRACLE WORKER, BWW's review, and more pictures, click on the following link:

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