| Madison Ferris | |
| Birth Place: | Pennsylvania,, U.S. |
| Alma Mater: | Muhlenberg College |
| Occupation: | Actress, dancer |
| Years Active: | 2014–present |
| Known For: | The Glass Menagerie 2017 Revival |
Madison Ferris is an American actress, best known for portraying Laura Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie.
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]
Ferris has Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and was the first wheelchair user to play a lead on Broadway.[3]
Ferris was traveling in Australia when the casting notice for Sam Gold's revival of The Glass Menagerie was announced. Ferris flew back to the US for a callback, then was asked back again to read with the play's star, Sally Field.[4] 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.[5] 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,