Freeport Theatre Festival to stage historical drama 'Massy Harbison'
Thespians from the Freeport Theatre Festival are channeling their inner pioneer as they present “Massy Harbison.”
The play is a historical drama based on local pioneer heroine Massy Harbison, who survived captivity by Native Americans near what is now present-day Freeport.
It was written and directed by Rennick Steele.
It’s the sixth production of “Massy Harbison,” and the play will run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Aug. 12 to 28.
Steele penned the play based on Harbison’s horrifying escape from her Native American captors that captured her and murdered two of her children in 1792.
Harbison was 22, pregnant with her fourth child and witnessed Native Americans killing one of her children.
Barefoot, she escaped into the woods, navigating her way from the Butler area to Fox Chapel with her remaining son in tow.
“I wanted to show the clash of cultures and the bravery of the pioneers as well as the warriors. Harbison’s tragedy happened a mile from our theater,” Steele said.
The cast includes 23 actors, including three generations of male actors from the Taladay family of Ford City. Roles portrayed include Colonials, frontiersmen and Native Americans.
Artist Teresa Emeloff designed and painted the set with help from art students from Highlands High School.
Costume designer Joanna Benefield Spade recently moved to Freeport from Georgia and is the creative force behind the period costumes.
The show runs two hours and includes an intermission.
The renovated barn theater offers a 100-seat air conditioned and handicapped-accessible venue. Free parking is available.
Cast member Courtney Riffer of Vandergrift plays Scarlet Arrow for the second time.
“I now have a greater understanding of the Native point of view in this conflict,” Riffer said, “and what happened to their way of life is gut wrenching.”
Mike Huston of Fawn plays a renegade.
“I enjoy bringing our local history to life for those who are unaware of what happened here in the Allegheny Valley during the 18th century,” Huston said. “I love bringing history to life for folks to enjoy and understand their heritage.”
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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