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This
fall SCCS presents
Aunt Lilian's Deed,
the story of a nationally
known educator who came to Monteagle in 1915 to improve
economic and education conditions of the people of Grundy
County. As she neared retirement
age, she wanted to find someone who would carry on the goals
she had worked toward for 17 years. Enter Myles Horton and
Don West, two young radical men who also wanted to improve
conditions for the working people of the mountains. This is
the story of how Dr. Lilian Johnson made the decision to
donate her land to the two men who would found the
Highlander Folk School.
Written by Dr. M. Sharon
Herbers,
San Antonio, Texas, and directed by Marcia Mary Cook,
Theatre professor at Sewanee, the University of the South,
this play tells the story from Dr. Johnson's perspective.
Herbers has studied the life of Dr. Johnson for 10 years and
has prolific notes and references from Dr. Johnson's letters
and papers.
In the
months leading to the play SCCS has sponsored several events
about the main characters:
February, 2007, Why did May Justus come to Grundy County?
by Sharon Herbers
Notes from participants at May
Justus event
June
2007, SCCS Newsletter with lead
article by Sharon Herbers at Dr. Johnson's life by Sharon Herbers
July 20,
2007, Monteagle Sunday School Assembly lecture
by Sharon
Herbers about the connection between Dr. Johnson and the
Assembly
July 21,
2007, SCCS hosted a dinner where Sharon Herbers spoke "Lessons from a
Life Well-Lived."
Seasoned
performers Carolyn
Bradford (Lilian Johnson) of Estill Springs and Robert Allen
(Myles Horton) lead the cast in presenting a picture of the
1930s era in which this play is set. Sewanee resident Winn
Gardner does double duty playing both Don West and Mr.
Stovall, a composite character representing the opposition
of people to the school. Newcomer Robbie Bogart portrays May
Justus, a beloved educator and renowned author of children's
books whom Dr. Johnson recruited to teach in Summerfield
School. Terry Bradford (Estill Springs) plays Uncle Billy, a
mountain man who made much of the furniture at the school. The Monteagle library is named in honor of Ms.
Justus. The gifted music teacher and writer Zilphia Johnson
Horton is played by Monteagle resident Rebecca Gibson who is
learning to play the accordion for her role.
The crew
that puts it all together are Jamie Lamb (Dechard) costume
director, Kathleen Shea (Tullahoma) Set Designer, Robert
Rector (Tracy City) Stage Manager, and Susan Peek
(Monteagle) Producer.
Performance schedule and ticket pricing
information:
All
performances will be at the Cowan Center for the Arts, 305
Montgomery Street in Cowan, Tennessee.
Tickets: $10 adults, $8 SCCS members and students, $5
children 12 and under
Tickets are available at the Cowan Welcome Center, the SCCS
office and staff, and at the door. Reservations are not
required but are recommended for best seating.
Premier weekend during the Polly Crocket Festival in Cowan,
Tenn. Come early and experience the fun of the Festival,
visit the Railroad Museum, and eat at one of the restaurants
in the area or at the Bean Supper Benefit.
Performance
times:
Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14, 15, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 16 at 2:30 p.m.
During Premier Weekend, we
will have custom-made concessions from the 1930s made by
Monteagle resident Elizabeth Masters.
Friday and Saturday, Sept. 21, 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, Sept. 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 7 at 2:30 p.m.
For more information
regarding tickets or reservations,
contact the office at 931/924-7227. Visa and
Mastercard are accepted.
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