Celebrating—and Challenging—the Western
by Raelle Myrick-Hodges, Director

In 1862 the Homestead Act was passed, allowing for citizens over 21 years of age to claim up to 160 acres of land. This program, of course, came at a cost to Indigenous tribes throughout the Midwest and Western regions of the United States. So first, I wish to acknowledge that these theatre seats rest on the ancestral lands of the Miami, Piankashaw, Wea, Potawatomi, Kickapoo, Delaware, and Shawnee.

More than a century after the Homestead Act, in 1993, playwright Pearl Cleage wrote Flyin’ West—a tale of the Old West seen through the visionary eyes of Sophie Washington, an African American settler in Nicodemus, Kansas, around the turn of the last century. The characters of Sophie and her two sisters, their elderly “auntie,” their self-loathing brother-in-law, and their loyal neighbor are fictitious. But Cleage’s story elements—struggling to make a home, the desire to protect family and legacy, the need to find love—resonate both with our shared American history and with our contemporary American life. 

This iconic depiction of American life is told in the most American of genres: the Western. I grew up watching my father watch Westerns. Honestly, just this past Thanksgiving, there I was, popping into “Dad’s space” to hear the voice of Eric Fleming in Rawhide or, an hour later, the opening credits of Bonanza. Flyin’ West is melodramatic, funny, and the most American play I have ever directed. It transports us to a world that is American history. While the play is subtle in its conversation with history, it is an organic portrayal of the American belief in change and the American drive to stand up for what we believe in.

This fictional Western takes place in a very real place: the town of Nicodemus, Kansas. Settled by freed slaves in 1877, it was one of many Black communities established west of the Mississippi River after the Civil War. An almost mythical town to us these days, Nicodemus conjures images of endless plains, tumbleweeds, and a vast night sky with haunting echoes of a howling coyote or a distant train. Nicodemus is a great lens into the beautiful ugliness that is the genesis of any community. Flyin’ West shows us violence, gun use, and women making decisions without permission.  
 
The women in Westerns are usually inspired by the Calamity Janes and Annie Oakleys of known history. But what of the brazen lives of other true characters of character who redefined the Old West? Western pioneers such as Mary Ellen Pleasant or Abby Fisher are historically fascinating, as are our beloved Stagecoach Mary or Bridget “Biddy” Mason.
 
Flyin’ West challenges the Western genre with this building of a Black town, challenges our societal assumptions about women, and challenges our vision of leadership in the middle of America. 

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Flyin' West is onstage at the IRT now through February 4, 2023. Tickets available at irtlive.com. 

The Indiana Repertory Theatre opens the New Year in the Old West
50th Season continues with story of strength, sisterhood, pioneering, and perseverance

Indianapolis, Ind.— After producing the Midwest premiere of Pearl Cleage’s Flyin’ West in 1994, the Indiana Repertory Theatre will bring back this story of sisterhood, history, and perseverance this month as part of its 50th Anniversary Season. Directed by Raelle Myrick-Hodges, the show will run on the OneAmerica Mainstage January 11 – February 4, 2023. This is the second of two productions this season that is part of the INclusion Series, which celebrates diverse storytelling and hidden stories of our shared history.

“Producing Pearl Cleage’s work this 50th anniversary season is both intentional and celebratory. Returning to Flyin’ West is to reinvestigate a work that has now become a classic and has only gained in stature, eloquence, and community need,” said Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director Janet Allen. “I am excited to have Raelle return to the IRT  during my final season; her refreshing approach to the play reminds us that art must always be multi-faceted in its communication: it reminds us of who we have been, who we can be, and how the narrative of this country must change for the better.”

Set in the now-historic town of Nicodemus, Kansas, 35 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Flyin’ West reveals a little-known chapter in American history–the creation of all-Black towns after the Homestead Act was passed. In fact, Indiana once was home to at least 30 of these settlements established in the decades between 1820 and 1850.

The play follows four brave African American women homesteaders and pioneers as they fight a harsh and unforgiving wilderness and work hard to build better lives for themselves. Their courage is tested when an unexpected and deadly threat invades their home in this surprising story set in the Old West.

“Although the characters in the play are fictious, Pearl Cleage’s story elements—struggling to make a home, the desire to protect family and legacy, the need to find love—resonate both with our shared American history and with our contemporary American life,” Director Raelle Myrick-Hodges said. “While the play is subtle in its conversation with history, it is an organic portrayal of the American belief in change and the American drive to stand up for what we believe in.”

The IRT will host multiple Community Conversations and Talk Backs during the production. Led by the Director of Inclusion and Community Partnerships Devon Ginn, the IRT is also planning to launch a new podcast during Flyin’ West, which will share in-depth discussions, reflections, and insights into the play, its themes, and related experiences.

DETAILS

WHERE: Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington Street, OneAmerica Mainstage

RUN DATES:  January 11 – February 4, various times. Flyin’ West is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. Tickets and performance schedule available at IRTlive.com. Flyin' West contains profanity, racial and ethnic slurs, and frank discussions about slavery and murder. Recommended for patrons 9th grade and above.

TICKETS: Tickets start at $25. Click to buy.

CAST & CREATIVE TEAM:
KAYLA MARY JANE | Minnie Dove Charles
ENOCH KING | Wil Parish
DWANDRA NICKOLE LAMPKIN | Miss Leah
L'OREAL LAMPLEY | Fannie Dove
LAKESHA LORENE | Sophie Washington
ALLEN TEDDER | Frank Charles
 
RAELLE MYRICK-HODGES | Director
JUNGHYUN GEORGIA LEE | Scenic Designer
LEVONNE LINDSAY | Costume Designer
THOM WEAVER | Lighting Designer
MICHAEL KILEY | Sound Designer
RICHARD J ROBERTS | Dramaturg
BECKY ROEBER | Stage Manager


SPECIAL PROGRAMMING:

PRE-SHOW CHATS
Before every Signature Six performance, patrons can enjoy a Pre-Show Chat hosted by IRT staff and artists. Pre-Show Chats begin 45 minutes prior to the scheduled performance and last 20 minutes.

OPENING NIGHT | Friday, January 13, 2023 | Performance at 7:30 PM
Raise a glass and cheers to the cast and crew at IRT’s Opening Night! After the show, delight in a champagne toast and a one-time-only chance to explore the set with IRT Artisans (masks required onstage).

ASL/AD PERFORMANCE | Sunday, January 22, 2023 | Performance at 2 PM
The IRT offers ASL/AD services to our patrons with vision and hearing needs. Patrons with hearing needs are encouraged to sit in the interpretation zone and meet with the interpreter before the show. We also offer Assisted Listening Devices free of charge at each performance. To learn more visit irtlive.com/accessibility.

TALK BACK | Wednesday, February 1, 2023 | Following the 7:30 PM performance
Join IRT staff and cast immediately after the performance for a post-show discussion that covers a variety of interesting topics related to the show. Post-show discussions typically last for 20 minutes.

TALK BACK | Friday, February 3, 2023 | Following the 7:30 PM performance
Join IRT staff and cast immediately after the performance for a post-show discussion that covers a variety of interesting topics related to the show. Post-show discussions typically last for 20 minutes.
 
For more information contact Kerry Barmann, Associate Director of Marketing, at kbarmann@irtlive.com or 317.916.4824.

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ABOUT THE IRT
Founded in 1971, the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) is the largest professional not-for-profit theatre in the state and one of the leading regional theatres in the country. The mission of the Indiana Repertory Theatre is to produce top-quality, professional theatre and related activities, providing experiences that will engage, surprise, challenge, and entertain people throughout their lifetimes, helping us build a vital and vibrant community.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA): The IRT strives to celebrate and serve the diverse people and cultures that make up our whole community. The IRT is committed to providing access for all; to creating and maintaining an antiracist theatre that is inclusive, safe, and respectful.