meet the cast
MACY LADNER
(Annie Sullivan)
MACY LADNER is honored to be able to take on the role of Anne Sullivan for her fifth season. Macy began acting at the age of 6. Some of her favorite roles/experiences include: A Little Princess (NYC), Chris Hargenson in Carrie the Musical (Birmingham-Southern College), Laura Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie, and Natalie in Next to Normal. Macy is no new face to Ivy Green. Ivy Green is one of the most special places in the world to her. She played the role of Helen for three years as a young child, did stage crew for years, played Kate for one season, and is now getting to play her dream role being directed by her Anne Sullivan when she played Helen, Caroline Self. “This summer means more to me than any summer yet. This performance is dedicated to my dad, Mike Ladner, who passed away in 2016 and would’ve loved to have been watching. And also to my mom, Robin Ladner, who is my hero.”
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CECILIA GOOCH
(Helen Keller)
CECILIA GOOCH is 12 years old and attends Florence City Schools. This is Cecilia’s third year to be part of The Miracle Worker family. She loves being on stage and has performed in Florence High School’s The Music Man, Shoals Theatre’s Pocahontas and The Many Disguises of Robin Hood and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Ritz. She has also worked as an extra for The Super Science Showcase - Tom and Huck. She feels honored to be playing Helen again this year and thanks Ms. Caroline and Ms. Laura for the opportunity. Cici also wants to say a special thank you to her “Anne”, Macy, for always encouraging her ... “forever and ever!” She’s also incredibly thankful to her family and friends as well as The Miracle Worker cast and crew for all of their support as she experiences the joys of theater!
AUDREY KATE RICKARD
(Helen Keller)
AUDREY KATE RICKARD is 10 years old and will be a 5th grader in the fall at Mars Hill Bible School. She actively participates in the Children’s Ministry program at Tuscumbia Church of Christ. Audrey enjoys singing, dancing, acting, playing the piano, riding her bike, and playing with her little sister, Anna Katherine. She was delighted to play “Sarah,” one of the blind children, in last year’s show. Audrey is honored to work with the cast and this year as she helps share the story of the young Helen Keller. Audrey dedicates her performance to her Gigi, Sherry Grissom, who passed away in November. She credits her Gigi for instilling a curiosity and love of the story of Helen Keller within her at a very young age. Audrey cherishes the times they would tour Ivy Green together each summer and knows her Gigi would be so proud of her again this year.
JONATHAN MOORE returns to The Miracle Worker at Ivy Green for his eighth season and is thrilled to be playing the role of Captain in this year’s production. Past credits include: Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park (Paul Bratter), The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Bob Bradley); To Kill a Mockingbird (Mr. Gilmer); and Radium Girls (C.B. Lee). Musical theatre credits include: The Christmas Shoes, Camel Lot, The Loaned Manger, and Opal. Jonathan serves as Worship Pastor at First Baptist Church of Colbert Heights in Tuscumbia, AL. He holds a B.S in music from the University of North Alabama. Jonathan would like to dedicate this season’s performance to his wife, Gina, his son, Grey, and twin daughters, Madelyn & Ellyn. “Love you to the moon and back!” Soli Deo gloria! Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: jcrossleymoore
JONATHAN MOORE
(Captain Arthur Keller)
ABIGAIL COATS
(Kate Keller)
ABIGAIL COATS is very excited to be portraying the role of Kate Keller in her first season at Ivy Green. She is a junior at The University of Alabama at Birmingham where she is double majoring in Musical Theatre and Creative Writing. She is a Shoals native and has been performing in local theatre since the age of seven. Some of her favorite past roles include Cinderella in Into the Woods, The Stage Manager in Our Town, and Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man. She was also a part the premiere cast of Tell Me Something Good by Alabama playwright, Audrey Cefaly, portraying the role of Chrissy, and was a part of UAB’s first fully digital, COVID safe production, Disconnect, which she co-wrote and performed in. While this is Abigail’s first season of The Miracle Worker, she has always been in love with the story of Helen Keller, and with Kate’s role in it. She is so grateful to have the honor of portraying such an intelligent and empowering woman, who was so ahead of her time. “I’d like to dedicate this performance to my father, Scott Coats, mother, Misty Coats and brother, Jacob Coats, all three of which have always supported me to any and all lengths— whether it was putting up with me belting in the shower at 1am, spending countless hours helping me run lines, or driving me across the country for college auditions. Thank you, and I love you.”
TANNER RHODES is so excited to succeed his brother who also had the honor of playing James in last summer ’s production. Some of Tanner‘s favorite roles include: Riff in West Side Story (Summerstock), Will Parker in Oklahoma (Summerstock), and Gabe in Next To Normal (The Shoals Theatre). He is so excited to get to help tell this inspiring story with our incredible cast and crew. Tanner would like to dedicate this performance to his loving family and to his extraordinarily talented girlfriend, Macy Ladner.
TANNER RHODES
(James Keller)
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ELIZABETH RAGSDALE
(Aunt Ev)
ELIZABETH RAGSDALE is returning to Ivy Green for her third year as Aunt Ev. She played Annie Sullivan many years ago and is delighted to celebrate this 60th year of The Miracle Worker here at Ivy Green. Elizabeth attended UNA many moons ago and earned a degree in Theatre while performing in numerous local productions. She then moved to New York where she waited tables, auditioned, studied with some of the best, performed in many shows including one Off- Broadway, appeared on a couple of Soap Operas and landed a few commercials and voice overs. She then moved to Paris and started her family and lived there for almost two decades where she directed children’s theatre. Since returning to the area, she has appeared in an original piece at the Historical Zodiac Theatre, two Shakespearean productions at The Shoals Theatre and taught Meisner oriented workshops for children and adults. Almost everyone in this cast has been a part of The Miracle Worker Family for many years and we hope you will soon agree that The Miracle Worker, blessed with this exceptional cast, crew and amazing director, Caroline Self, is not just another show.
KOURTNEY HARPER is an actress from Birmingham, Alabama. Graduating from Calera High School in 2018. Competing on her high school’s Speech and Debate team has grown her interest and love for acting. Starting her career in 2019, she has built her resume with numerous credits in short films, YouTube web series and has appeared in her first SAG film “Castle Falls” directed by Dolph Lundgren to be released in 2022. Kourtney has been attending acting classes to continuously build her craft at Acting Out Academy in Vestavia Hills, Alabama and mentored by Kerry Lee and Kent Kasper (acting instructors) based in Los Angeles, California.
KOURTNEY HARPER
(Viney)
SANA WOODEN a Realtor with MarMac Real Estate by day and an upcoming Broadway Actor by night, is extremely proud to be joining this summer’s cast of The Miracle Worker. Sana lives in Muscle Shoals with her two beautiful daughters Kaylei 15 and Harmoni 11. Sana is a long-time resident of the Shoals area and was more than delighted at this opportunity to be a part of this show. Acting is something that she just now discovered she was great at doing. So now this will be a new hobby of hers moving forward. Sana wants you to know she’s here for you and your family home buying or selling needs!
SANA WOODEN
(Viney)
TYLER HUDSON has been performing since he was a child. Recent credits include leading roles in Seussical, Shrek, A Christmas Story, Radium Girls, Dial M for Murder, and Next To Normal. He has been a supporting actor in a host of theatrical productions as well as serving as actor and producer for several independent films. He served as music director for A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline and The Little Mermaid, and has performed as a professional vocalist in over 1000 concerts both nationally and internationally. Tyler is excited to take the stage as Doctor and Mr. Anagnos for the second consecutive year. Tyler would like to thank the directors for allowing him this incredible opportunity.
TYLER HUDSON
(Doctor/ Mr. Anagnos)
MJ RUTLAND is 11 years old, and attends Colbert Heights Elementary School in Tuscumbia. He returns to The Miracle Worker for his 2nd year as Percy. He is the son of Marcus and Crystal Rutland. MJ has appeared in the Colbert Heights High School theatrical production of Big Fish (Boy Scout). He is a Colbert County Student Ambassador. His interests and hobbies include watching NBA games, playing football and basketball. MJ hopes you enjoy the show and would like to especially thank Caroline Self, the cast and crew, and the Helen Keller Birthplace Foundation Board of Directors for allowing him the opportunity to be part of this historic play.
MJ RUTLAND
(Percy)
HARMONI WOODEN is 11 years old, and attends McBride Elementary in Muscle Shoals. This is her first year on the cast and she is very excited to be a part of the show. Harmoni is the daughter of Sana Wooden (Viney). Harmoni belongs to Mt. Moriah P.B. Church of Florence, where she is very active in the youth ministries and she sings in the Youth Choir. Harmoni has a passion for singing and acting and one day hopes to pursue a career in theater. Harmoni dedicates her performance to her family and friends. Thanks for being so supportive towards all of her goals and dreams.
HARMONI WOODEN
(Martha)
HARPER BERRYHILL is returning for her third year as a Blind Child in The Miracle Worker. Harper is a 6th grade student at L.E. Willson Elementary School in Sheffield. She is the youngest child of Thomas and Rachel Berryhill. Harper not only enjoys acting, but also expressing her creativity through drawing and attending art camps. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, basketball and softball with her friends. Harper is so excited to be part of this wonderful experience that is The Miracle Worker at Ivy Green. She wants to thank all of her family and friends who have come out to support her and helped foster her love of acting.
HARPER BERRYHILL
(Blind Child)
GINGER LEWEY was born in Long Beach California and is 9 years old, she is in the 3rd grade at Riverhill School and has 2 brothers, her twin brother, and a younger brother who is 5. Ginger began performing in plays in 2018 and it is safe to say that she has found a passion for theatre. Ginger enjoys acting, singing, dancing, slime making and being on stage.
GINGER LEWEY
(Blind Child)
LILY BURLESON is thrilled to be performing in this year's production of The Miracle Worker at Ivy Green! Lily is 8 years old and has performed in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Ritz as well as All About that Baby and Little Drummer Dude at her church. Lily enjoys school, singing, acting, anything outside, and playing with her twin brother!
LILY BURLESON
(Blind Child))
FINLEIGH BETH HENIG is 10 years old and a rising 5th grader at Pike Road Intermediate School in Pike Road, AL. She is a student at Pike Road Dance Academy, where she takes gymnastics and hip hop. Since the age of 7, she has participated yearly in Montgomery’s Summer Showoffs Program. She is a member of Impact Childrens Show Choir and was featured in their first music video, “This is Who We Are.“ After attending last year’s production of The Miracle Worker for the first time, Finleigh knew she wanted to be a part of this incredible story brought to life onstage. She is so thankful for the opportunity to portray Alice in this remarkable play!
FINLEIGH BETH HENIG
(Blind Child)
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ANNSLIE MOSES is 6 years old and attends G.W. Trenholm Primary school in Tuscumbia. She is so excited to be apart of The Miracle Worker for the first time. She has played the role of the Farmers Wife in her school play EI- EI-Oops. She enjoys singing, dancing and taking gymnastics. She is delighted to be apart of telling the wonderful story of Helen Keller.
ANNSLIE MOSES
(Blind Child)
EVIE ROSE is thrilled to be at Ivy Green for her third year in The Miracle Worker. She has also appeared in Pocahontas, Enchanted Bookshop, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. She loves dancing, playing piano, Girl Scouts, reading, and cats.
EVIE ROSE
(Blind Child)
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ASHER WINGO is 10 years old and attends New Bethel Elementary. He is excited to be making his acting debut at Ivy Green and feels lucky to be on stage with this amazing cast. Asher has a great sense of humor and enjoys playing soccer, video games, & learning about history & science. He would like to thank his family for their love & support.
ASHER WINGO
(Blind Child)
WAKEFIELD SELF also appeared as Jimmie Sullivan in last year's production of The Miracle Worker at Ivy Green. He is the son of Wesley and Shea Self and lives in Killen. He will be a fourth grader this fall and has attended Riverhill School. Wakefield loves playing basketball and enjoys fishing, swimming, boating, golf and playing with his younger brother Doran.
WAKEFIELD SELF
(Jimmie Sullivan)
MICHAEL GREEN
(Tewksbury Doctor)
MICHAEL GREEN has worked in 170+ local/regional theatre productions. Some of his favorite acting roles are: Javert in Les Miserables, Tateh in Ragtime, Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird, Ben in Death of a Salesman, Banquo in Macbeth, and Nixon in Frost/Nixon, to name a few. Among his many directing credits are: Next to Normal, Lend Me A Tenor, Of Mice and Men, Proof, Anne of Green Gables, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Glass Menagerie, and Oleanna. Michael is creator of Shakespeare at the Shoals, dedicated to bringing Shakespeare productions to local audiences. He is a graduate of the University of North Alabama with degrees in theatre and journalism.
LAUREN MERRITT has a BFA in theater from Stevens College. Lauren played Jingle Belle, the elf in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and national Christmas Tour 2010-2014. She played Helen in The Miracle Worker at Ivy Green in 1996 and played a blind child in 1995.
LAUREN MERRITT
(Crone)
NEIL SELF is the head women’s golf coach at the University of North Alabama. He last appeared on stage in the 1988 production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.