Madison Ferris is an American actress, best known for portraying Laura Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie.
Madison Ferris | |
|---|---|
| Born | Pennsylvania,, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Muhlenberg College |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, dancer |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Known for | The Glass Menagerie 2017 Revival |
Ferris moved to New York City, and got her first professional performance opportunity as a paid dancer at the Joyce Theater.[1] Ferris performed in two dance pieces, Ballet (New York) and The Show Must Go On by French choreographer Jerome Bel.[2][3]
Ferris has Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and was the first wheelchair user to play a lead on Broadway.[4][5]
The Glass Menagerie edit
Ferris was traveling in Australia when the casting notice for Sam Gold's revival of The Glass Menagerie was announced.[1] Ferris flew back to the US for a callback, then was asked back again to read with the play's star, Sally Field.[2] 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.[4] 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.[6] 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."[7]
References edit
- ^ a b Quinn, Dave (23 March 2017). "Breaking Boundaries on Broadway! Meet Glass Menagerie Star Madison Ferris". People.com. People. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
- ^ a b Peterson, Margie (April 14, 2017). "Muhlenberg College grad makes Broadway history in 'The Glass Menagerie'". themorningcall.com. The Morning Call. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. 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.
- ^ a b NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (May 21, 2017). "Actress Breaking Barriers as Broadway's First Lead Actor in Wheelchair". NBC News. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
- ^ "Community Profiles: Actress Madison Ferris". Audioboom. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ 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. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
