Motivated by a call for original plays about exceptional women and inspired by her interest in Annie Sullivan, the teacher of Helen Keller, Lakehill teacher and playwright Julie Riggs created Round Two, a one-woman play about Sullivan. The play has been chosen as one of ten works to be presented by Rover Dramawerks as part of the 365 Women a Year project.
"It's a short play -- only 25-30 minutes. It takes place in the last hours of the life of Anne Sullivan. I wanted to give her a forum for some of her unfinished business, to be able to defend herself against some of the criticism leveled against her in her lifetime," said Riggs. "The play is inspirational -- because that's how I am."
Round Two is being directed by Lakehill English teacher Elizabeth Schmitt. "It is exciting and a bit terrifying to be the first person to stage this play," said Schmitt. "Julie has been my friend and colleague for nearly 14 years. I am honored that she has entrusted me with bringing her words to life. I hope that it will inspire people to learn about Sullivan's remarkable life."
The play stars local actress Natalia Borja. Round Two will be performed in conjunction with 100 Injustices by Susan Long Haga and One Night in the Garden by Carol M. Rice onThursday, March 19, at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 21, at5:00 p.m.
365 Women A Year involves playwrights from around the world who want to get more plays written about women.
Tickets for the 365 Women A Year Festival are $12 for a single time block performance and $30 for a festival pass, and may be ordered online.
Rover's theater venue is in Plano, located in Ruisseau Village at 221 W. Parker Rd, Suite 580, at the northwest corner of Parker and 75.