Blood Divided

Blood Divided

By Jeffry L. Chastang

Directed by Nancy Rominger

Originally produced at Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Montgomery, AL.

February 18, 2011 through March 20, 2011


About the Premiere Production: It is 1861 and Montgomery, Alabama is a hotbed of political activity. Dr. William Baldwin, one the city's most prominent citizens, is vocal against secession and proves his convictions by freeing his slaves. But fire and brimstone politician William Lowndes Yancey is for war and hell bent on bringing everyone within his reach, including Baldwin's teenage son, to the Confederate side. Friends, family members and community clash in this gripping story that is both heartening and heartbreaking.


Artistic Statement: The genesis of the Civil War project (the co-development and production of Jeffry L. Chastang’s Blood Divided and Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder’s The Flagmaker of Market Street) was a truly innovative cohesion of the arts and tourism. The year 2011 marks the sesquicentennial of a fateful telegram sent from Montgomery, Alabama to Fort Sumter, South Carolina and the beginning of the Civil War. Montgomery was the first capital of the Confederate States of America and witness to considerable civil conflict. The Alabama Tourism Department proposed that the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, as the State Theatre, could mark the sesquicentennial in a way that is both sensitive and exciting. The Department of Tourism plans to market ASF’s participation as a way to promote tourism to Alabama.


What this grant has allowed us to do: With a grant from the Edgerton Foundation, ASF will extend the rehearsal time by two weeks, allowing the playwright, the director, and the actors additional research, collaboration and growth before the play receives its world premiere.



Director: Nancy Rominger

Set Design: Peter Hicks

Lighting Design: Tom Rodman

Sound Design: Brett Rominger

Costume Design: Pamela Schofield



Additional Funders:

Alabama Tourism Department
Katherine Blount Pace
Dr. Laurie Jean Weil



News

ASF: Blood Divided

theatremontgomery
February 23, 2011