Today is an example of how the performing arts and our rich cultural

history come together to educate and to give voice to those who

lived, fought, and died on the River Raisin Battlefield during the War

of 1812. Today, musicians, vocalists, choreographers, dancers,

photographers, historians, and a videographer bring the words and

emotions of the American Muse to the stage. The audience will not

view a reenactment, but rather will be taken on a journey that

conveys the breath and emotional spirit of those who struggled

during our last Great War with England.

Our community is strengthened when organizations such as the River

Raisin National Battle Park, the Historical Society, the Historical

Museum, the Sawyer House, and the River Raisin Centre for the Arts

provide events that inspire our citizens to value and preserve our

identity and our community’s uniqueness. It is our hope that the

audience will understand, not just the history defined by conflict and

war, but by the lives impacted therein. Today, we “Remember the

Raisin” and give our utmost respect to all Veterans who fought for

our Country. The luxury of our freedom is due to those who selflessly

served and fought in the name of duty.

It is a great honor to be a part of an arts organization that is filled

with and has association with so many talented individuals who

generously give their time and exceptional talent. This production is a

memorable and important collaboration, one in which has given voice

to people who through the written word shared their thoughts and

feelings during the War of 1812. Today, those thoughts are given life

because of the performing artists listed in this program. To each and

every one of you, I extend my deepest appreciation. It is humbling to

stand among you.

Gail Choate-Pettit Artistic Director

River Raisin Centre for the Arts

Participants Jason Basile Westwood College Alen Fyfe US Army Corps; Board of Directors, Ann Arbor Civic Theatre Robin Bloomberg BA Music, UM; MA Music, OSU; Baroque Violin Shop Gail Choate-Pettit, DFCCA B.A EMU, Artistic Director River Raisin Ballet Company (RRBC) River Raisin Academy of Dance (RRAD) Faculty Craig Cousino, RN River Raisin Centre Repertory Company Robert Clark Mayor, City of Monroe Denise Gillman, DFCCA, AISTD Owner Gillman Dance Academy, Louisville, Kentucky Tracy Glover B.E. University of Toledo, Vocal Music Education RRCA Vocal Music Faculty, River Raisin Centre Repertory Company Josh Glover Music Education, Bedford Schools River Raisin Centre Repertory Company: Music Director Isabella Ingels BFA Dance, UM; RRAD Adjunct Modern and Ballet Faculty Jennifer Koralewski BA, Pointe Park, RRAD Contemporary Dance Faculty Chris Kull Curator, Monroe Historical Museum Melissa Moore, ACCA B.A. Dance, WMU, Director of Dance, River Raisin Academy of Dance River Raisin Ballet Faculty Laura McCarthy, DFCCA Randazzo Dance Ballet Faculty, RRBC Board John McCarthy Structural Engineer, Filmmaker and Videographer, RRBC Board Dick Micka Secretary of the Monroe County Historical Commission State 1812 Commission and Michigan Historical Commission Jeanne Micka Member of the Monroe Historical Commission President Sawyer Homestead & Monroe City-County Fine Arts Council Glenn Podhola U.S. Marine Corps Donald Spencer, Ed.D. Superintendent Monroe County Intermediate School District Mike Trapp Executive Director, River Raisin Centre for the Arts Amber Wisnewski BA Dance Performance, WMU, RRAD Faculty, RRBC Member

Local Visual Artists who presented works to be auctioned and can be seen in the lobby of the RRCA:

Christy LaRoy, Jamie Matzinger, LeeAnn Russeau, Steve Russeau

Artwork in the lobby is for sale, proceeds to benefit a charitable cause. Highest bid wins!

Our sincere thanks to the local artists that created and donated their work.

Production Staff

Artistic Director .........................................Gail Choate-Pettit

Program Coordinator................................ Amber Wisnewski

Rehearsal Director ......................................... Melissa Moore

Vocal Director .................................................... Tracy Glover

Stage Manager .......................................... Laurie Langmeyer

Costumes ............................. Dyanne Howland, Lynn Fedewa

Karen Bechard, Angel Biggs, Diane Slatinsky

Stage Crew .................................. Lynn Fedewa, Drew Batton

Lighting ................................................................ Mike Trapp

Sound ................................................................ Derek Arnold

Videography ................................. John and Laura McCarthy

Lobby .................................................... Mary Jo Stoyanovich

Barbara Harrington, Paul Liedel

Ushers/Concessions ............................... RRCA Theatre Guild

Echoes of War Video Presentation by John McCarthy Introduction Mayor Robert Clark Historical Perspective Chris Kull, Curator Monroe Historical Museum

Part One: The Leaving

The Adieu Choreography by Amber Wisniewski RRAD Faculty Poetry: The Adieu By Caroline: To the Author’s Husband on His joining the Army as a Volunteer: St. John’s College Quarterly: War Echoes of 1812-13 Poetry reading by Laura McCarthy with audio by John McCarthy Dancers: Lindsay Navarre and Daniel Davenport The Flagmaker Vocalist: Tracy Glover, RRCA Music Faculty Accompanist: Josh Glover Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown Transcending time, The Flagmaker, 1775 echoes the voice and thoughts of women during times of war.

The Soldier‘s Song Choreography by Melissa Moore and Gail Choate-Pettit, RRCA Faculty Poetry: Soldier’s Song: From the Independent Chronicle: St. John’s College Quarterly: War Echoes of 1812-13 Reader: Jason Basile Music by Zoe Keating: Optimist Dancers: Gabe Hileman with Reina Cooke Anthonette Fedewa, Abigail Fleszar Emily Hileman, Darcy Howland Hannah Kravochuck, Lindsay Navarre Kiera Malone, Morgan Slatinsky, Jen Sliwinski

THE ADIEU

By "Caroline."

Go, friend of my bosom, the trumpet's shrill cry

Has summoned the soldier to arms;

With patriot valor each bosom beats high,

And freedom her votaries warms.

Shall I, while my country is bleeding, recline

On the bosom of indolent ease?

No, no, in her cause, even thee I resign,

Though naught but thy presence can please.

Go, dearer than life to thy Caroline's heart,

The din of the battle's begun;

Go, share in each danger a valorous part,

And fight till the vict'ry is won.

The cherub of safety before thee shall fly.

And shelter the brave with her wing;

And mercy shall guard thee when danger is nigh,

And thee to my bosom shall bring.

And think not, dear youth, for thy absence I'll mourn,

And weep when I bid thee adieu;

I'll twine the bright chaplet to greet thy return,

And live, dearest soldier, for ycu.

Thy country had called thee, the mandate obey,

Oh, snatch not another adieu ;

The tear I'll suppress, gallant soldier away!

I live for my country and you.

From The Ontario Messenger.

Historical Perspective Jeanne Micka: The French Town Village Indigenous Threat Poetry Excerpt: Indian Warfare: From The Mercantile Advertiser: St. John’s College Quarterly: War Echoes of 1812-13. Poetry Reading by Jason Basile and Daniel Davenport Choreography by Melissa Moore and Gail Choate-Pettit Dancers: Claire Bechard, Reina Cooke Anthonette Fedewa, Abigail Fleszar Emily and Gabe Hileman, Darcy Howland Lindsay Navarre, Kate McLeod, Kiera Malone Jocelyn and Maddie Rutkowski Morgan Slatinsky, Jen Sliwinski The Battlefield Video Presentation by John McCarthy Historical Reading Dick Micka: Kentucky Militia Orders Passing through the woods, the troops gathered in an open prairie, about three miles from French Town, where each battalion commander read orders written by General Lewis. The Hunters of Kentucky Music written by Samuel Woodworth arranged by Tracy Glover Vocal Director and Accompanist: Tracy Glover Chorus: Altos: Maddie Burke, Andrew Fogle. Sopranos: Michaela Foulkrod, Haley Langmeyer Baritones: Craig Cousino, Zachary Douglas Zach Everly, Tim Middleton, Blain Shinkle Nick Whittaker

Cellist Robin Bloomberg Medley of folk tunes: Johnny has gone for a Soldier Battle Cry of Freedom and McPherson's Lament Remember the Raisin Video Presentation by John McCarthy In grateful remembrance of the toils and risks of those who made it possible for posterity to accomplish such a change . . . a wreath of wild flowers fathered from the field of battle . . . to be placed on the tomb of the Brave. (excerpt by F.J.H: War Echoes of 1812) Final Bows Entire Company This production is based upon the poems, not of great poets, but upon the simple, home-spun effusions of the American Muse breathing the spirit of time: contributions to contemporary papers by subscribers, who, in most cases, would not even sign their names. The collection of poems relate to our last great war with England and are published in Volume IV Number 3, quarterly, by the St. John’s University, Toledo, Ohio entitled: War = Echoes of 1812 - 13.

This program uses water based fog and haze,

as well as incredible musicianship, dancing

and singing!

Part Two: The Battle Kentucky Regiment Choreography by Denise Gillman Gillman’s Dance, Louisville, Kentucky Music by Max Richter: Last Days Dancers: Madalyn Brinkhaus Annika Hileman, Miranda Hileman Rachael Roup and Abby Brandolino Poetry Reading by Jason Basile Cellist Robin Bloomberg Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude to Bach Suite No. 2 for Unaccomapanied Cello Bring Him Home Music from Les Misérables: Musical by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg Solo Vocalist: Craig Cousino Vocal Director: Tracy Glover Accompanist: Josh Glover, Robin Bloomberg

Choreography by Jen Korelewski RRAD Faculty Dancers: Claire Bechard, Willow Biggs MaKenzie Brown, Maddie Burke Reina Cooke, Anthonette Fedewa Gabriella Fedewa, Abigail Fleszar Emily Hileman Gabe Hileman Darcy Howland Hannah Kravochuck Kiera Malone, Kate McLeod Lindsay Navarre, Jocelyn Rutkowski Madeleine Rutkowski, Morgan Slatinski MacKynze Slatinsky, Jen Sliwinski Kentucky Memorial Video Presentation by John McCarthy Taps John McCarthy and Mike Trapp

Intermission

Part Three: The Aftermath Historical Perspective Donald Spencer Superintendent Monroe County Intermediate School District A Village Lost Choreography by Isabella Ingels RRAD Adjunct Faculty Music by Max Richter: Infra 5 Dancers: Claire Bechard, Anthonette and Gabriella Fedewa, Abigail Fleszar Emily Hileman, Kate McLeod, Kiera Malone Jocelyn and Maddie Rutkowski

Empty Chairs at Empty Tables Guest Speaker Glenn Podhola, U.S. Marine Corps

The Café Song Music from Les Misérables A musical by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg Vocal Director: Tracy Glover Accompanist: Josh Glover Vocal Chorus: Nick Whittaker Tim Middleton, Jason Basile Craig Cousino Guest Speaker Alen Fyfe, U.S. Army Mourning Choreography by Isabella Ingels RRAD Adjunct Faculty Dancer: Isabella Ingels with Anthonette Fedewa, Gabriella Fedewa Emily Hileman, Kiera Malone Maddie Rutkowski, Jocelyn Rutkowski Music by Max Richter: November