SOUTHERN COURAGE
Civil War Women of Loudoun County, VA
Written and Directed by Meredith Bean McMath and Produced by Joni Lynn Crane
A rare look inside a County torn by civil war..
from the women who lived at its center
"No one who wants to understand the war should miss seeing it".
- Lewis Marshall Helm, Bigadier General, AUS (Ret.)
from the women who lived at its center
"No one who wants to understand the war should miss seeing it".
- Lewis Marshall Helm, Bigadier General, AUS (Ret.)
Written and directed by McMath, the documentary presents 17 true accounts of Loudoun County women living in the midst of Civil War. The women speak to us in their own words - words taken from diaries, letters and accounts within a deeply divided Virginia county. A majority were pro-Confederate, but Loudoun also had a large, pacifist Quaker population, slaves and freedmen, an active Underground Railroad and one Union troop, The Loudoun Rangers (the only Union troop to ever form in Virginia). As McMath put it, "Loudoun County, Virginia was the Civil War writ small".
"What I found particularly arresting about this film was the emphasis on how the war progressed from the civilian experience - emphasizing this through the eyes of women, actual Loudoun County, Virginia women. I am unaware of anyone doing that to date."
- Richard Gillespie, award-winning Loudoun County, VA Historian
- Richard Gillespie, award-winning Loudoun County, VA Historian
Meet Elizabeth Carter of Oatlands Plantation - the largest slave owner in Loudoun County, Lida and Lizzie Dutton who acted as conductors on the Underground Railroad and published a pro-Union newspaper to boost the morale of Union soldiers, a slave woman whose husband who'd been beaten and taken away to build the Confederate forts encircling Leesburg, a young woman assisting in an Army field hospital, a Confederate spy and many, many more.
History Channel Documentary
HAVING A BALL:
Costume, Etiquette and Dance in the Midst of the Rebellion
This documentary was written, produced and directed as the final presentation of Meredith McMath's Elizabeth Carter Lecture Series presented at The National Trust's Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg, Virginia. The Filming of Having a Ball then became the basis of the documentary submitted and accepted by The History Channel and aired several times in 1997.
Live performance also presented at The National Conference of the Romance Writers of America, Washington, D.C., 2002
Live performance also presented at The National Conference of the Romance Writers of America, Washington, D.C., 2002
For information on Royalty Rights or to arrange production in the Washington, D.C. / Metropolitan Area, contact Meredith Bean McMath via Run Rabbit Run Productions at RRRtheatre@gmail.com or by calling McMath at 571-209-7386.
"Between Hawk & Buzzard: Loudoun County and the Civil War" was videotaped by Cablevision of Loudoun and shown on cable channels in Fairfax and Loudoun County, Virginia and Frederick, Maryland in 1994.
"Between Hawk & Buzzard: Loudoun County and the Civil War" was videotaped by Cablevision of Loudoun and shown on cable channels in Fairfax and Loudoun County, Virginia and Frederick, Maryland in 1994.
HISTORY PROGRAMS
commissioned by Museums and Preservation Organizations
THE ABOLITIONIST FUNDRAISER:
An Afternoon with the Caldwells
Commissioned by and produced for the Smithsonian Institution's
National Museum of American History
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This interactive play recreates an 1855 abolitionist fundraiser while telling the story of the Underground Railroad. The production includes 19th century dance, parlor games, song, and an auction aimed to raise monies and conscience for the abolitionist cause. The audience be encouraged to participate in all aspects of the festivities. The Abolitionist Fundraiser includes period dance and dance music, Spirituals, and the the “auctioning” of a quilt provided by “industrious members of the Ipswich Female Anti-Slavery Society". |
The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History commissioned McMath to write the work, and it was presented as “An Afternoon with the Caldwells, 1855: the Abollitionist Fundraiser” in the Hall of Musical Instruments as part of a day-long celebration of the “Within These Walls” exhibit (2002).
For information on Royalty Rights or to arrange production in the Washington, D.C. / Metropolitan Area, contact Meredith Bean McMath at 571-209-7386 or via Run Rabbit Run Productions at RRRtheatre@gmail.com.
For information on Royalty Rights or to arrange production in the Washington, D.C. / Metropolitan Area, contact Meredith Bean McMath at 571-209-7386 or via Run Rabbit Run Productions at RRRtheatre@gmail.com.
The USO Show
Presented as a WW II "Hangar Dance", the show features 30 minutes of 1940s jokes and tight harmonies. First produced to benefit the Commemorative Air Force, National Capitol Squadron in Leesburg VA, it was next produced at the Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum (Centreville, Virginia location). |
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The Tally Ho Radio Show
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A live 1942 radio show narrated by a comical show host. Entertainment that includes 1940s a cappella music by "The Swingin' Smithley Sisters," a Vox Pox-style interview with a WW II soldier about to ship out, and a live radio theatre performance of the 1936 radio comedy Nickelodeon. The 45-minute performance was first produced in conjunction with a local Loudoun County, Virginia radio show,
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For information on Royalty Rights or to arrange production in the Washington, D.C. / Metropolitan Area, contact Meredith Bean McMath at 571-209-7386 or via Run Rabbit Run Productions at RRRtheatre@gmail.com.
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Written and directed by Meredith Bean McMath and filmed by Peter Buck of Waterford Productions, Inc.
L to R: Elizabeth and Lida Dutton and Sarah Steer
Post-production of this film has been postponed due to Covid.
Created to benefit the Lincoln Preservation Foundation, WATERFORD'S WAR is based on the extraordinary true story of Virginia's first female journalists, Lida and Lizzie Dutton and Sarah Steer of Waterford, Virginia.
These young women lived in deeply divided Loudoun County, Virginia County, and the film is surrounded by that County's important history: of the Loudoun Rangers - Virginia's only Union troop - and their skirmishes with Confederate cavalry; of slave owners, their slaves and the work of the Underground Railroad; and of the Quaker and German villages who appeared neutral but secretly helped the Union Army.
Created to benefit the Lincoln Preservation Foundation, WATERFORD'S WAR is based on the extraordinary true story of Virginia's first female journalists, Lida and Lizzie Dutton and Sarah Steer of Waterford, Virginia.
These young women lived in deeply divided Loudoun County, Virginia County, and the film is surrounded by that County's important history: of the Loudoun Rangers - Virginia's only Union troop - and their skirmishes with Confederate cavalry; of slave owners, their slaves and the work of the Underground Railroad; and of the Quaker and German villages who appeared neutral but secretly helped the Union Army.
Union Lieut. Hutchinson meets Lida Dutton on the road. Hutchinson was posing as a Confederate cavalry soldier to scout for the Union Army. He asked Lida directions, and she gave him directions only a local could understand. Based on a true story handed down by the Hutchinson family.
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So why a film? Because their newspaper was written to boost the morale of Union Soldiers during the conflict and was published and distributed by The Baltimore Sun). And the young women did this as they cared for wounded soldiers from both sides of the conflict, assisted with Loudoun's Underground Railroad, and survived the Union Burning Raid of 1864. |
Waterford's War was performed by veteran actors and filmed at historic sites in Berryville and Middleburg, Virginia.
The film also tells the true story of Sarah Steer (represented below, left) who became the first in Virginia to teach the children of freed slaves (The "Second Street School" is now an historic site in Waterford, Virginia).
McMath based the film script on her play All for the Union, and the facts vs fiction are told HERE.
McMath based the film script on her play All for the Union, and the facts vs fiction are told HERE.
And why isn't the film complete? At the end of filming, resources for editing grew short and in 2020, Covid hit. We hope to have good news on its completion soon.
"Oh, Lord, I'm gone". The last words of the infamous John Mobberly, ambushed by two Loudoun civilians and Sgt. Stewart - the Union officer he'd tried so hard to kill.
ARTICLES
"Playwright's Civil War Tale Retold on Film" by Arianne Aryanpur - Washington Post Loudoun Extra, September 3, 2006
"Playwright's Civil War Tale Retold on Film" by Arianne Aryanpur - Washington Post Loudoun Extra, September 3, 2006
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"D is for the Dutton Sisters" by Gale Waldron - Elan Magazine, Jul/Aug, 2005
A TALE OF A TAVERN
A 30-minute living history presentation on 19th century American tavern life and the crucial role it served in America's steady growth. This living history play was commissioned by and produced for the Fairfax County Park Authority for a presentation at Dranesville Tavern, at Dranesville Tavern Historic Site.
American Scenery—the Inn on the Roadside (1872)
OTHER McMATH PRESENTATIONS
"Haunted History" (2007 and 2009) - Writer / Co-producer / Director, Old Stone School community center. Presented as a fundraiser for Hillsboro Community Association and the Drama and History Clubs of Loudoun Valley High School.
"Shakespeare in Song and Sonnet" (2009) - Concept Writer / Director / Producer, Run, Rabbit, Run Productions, Inc. with Loudoun Lyric Opera company, Round Hill Arts Center, Round Hill, Virginia.
Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc. 2004 - 2008 - Producer of all theatre performances, library programs and classes for the nonprofit theatre company.
"The Old Homeplace: A Loudoun Valley Tale" (2008) - Director. This was the premiere performance of a stage presentation at Loudoun County's Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center, Purcellville, Virginia; produced by Very Special Arts - Loudoun County.
"An 1850s Christmas" (2006, 2003 & 1997) -Producer, living history presentation of song, dance, and parlor games in conjunction with Hillsboro's Christmas Tour of Homes, Hillsboro, Virginia.
"The Hangar Dance USO Show," Leesburg Airport, 2003, June - Director / Producer, Leesburg, VA - to benefit the Commemorative Air Force, National Capitol Squadron.
"The Tally Ho Radio Show," 2002, December to 2003, May - Producer/Director, A 1940s-style live radio show presented at The Tally Ho Theatre, Leesburg, Virginia, in conjunction with WAGE Radio; shows featured a comedian show host, a cappella music by "The Swingin' Smithley Sisters," a Vox Pox-style interview with a WW II soldier "about to ship out," and full cast, live radio theatre presentations ofA Christmas Carol, Arsenic & Old Lace and the1936 radio comedy Nickelodeon.
"Rachel Carson: A Writer's Odyssey", 2001, August - Co-producer, A narrated dramatic readings of Carson's works. Presented at The Rachel Carson Conference, National Fish and Wildlife Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV.
"Waterford's War" - 2001, June - Wrote, produced and directed the narrated living history of Civil War Quaker Journalists for The Newseum, Rosslyn, Virginia. Commissioned by The Newseum in conjunction with their "War Stories" exhibit.
"By Lamplight & Campfire: Music of the Civil War", 2000-2001 - Wrote, produced and directed the narrated history of Civil War music. Songs sung by vocalists in period dress. (Performed at Hillsboro Community Association's 2000 Annual Meeting, Oatlands Plantation "2001 Winter Lecture Series" and Hill Playhouse, Middleburg, Virginia in May of 2001).
"Between Hawk & Buzzard: Loudoun County and the Civil War" - Wrote, produced and directed this living history program which presented dramatic readings of original Civil War letters and diaries within a narrated overview of Loudoun County Civil War History for The Loudoun Museum's 25th Anniversary Program (Presented January 21-22, 1994 in Leesburg, VA. Revised version presented at Loudoun Country Day School, May 2003).
"Live Radio Theatre at Studio Two" (1997-1999). Associate Producer for a live radio theatre program featured on WAGE Radio AM 1200, Leesburg, Virginia
"Sunday Afternoon Armchair Theatre" (1996-1997), Associate Producer for Brunswick, Maryland's WTRI
"The Union Ball" Producer. Co-writer with Brian Boucher (1995). Produced for The Loudoun Museum, Leesburg, VA; presented for the public May 13 at St. James Episcopal Church, Leesburg, VA to benefit The Loudoun Museum. Directed by Claudine Gilarski, Cathy Bieberick and Meredith Bean McMath.
"A Tale of a Tavern" (1979 - Wrote, produced and directed for The Dranesville Tavern Museum, Fairfax County Park Authority; produced August 4 at The Dranesville Tavern Museum, Dranesville, VA.
"Shakespeare in Song and Sonnet" (2009) - Concept Writer / Director / Producer, Run, Rabbit, Run Productions, Inc. with Loudoun Lyric Opera company, Round Hill Arts Center, Round Hill, Virginia.
Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc. 2004 - 2008 - Producer of all theatre performances, library programs and classes for the nonprofit theatre company.
- 2006, November - Director, Arms and the Highlander, an adaptation written by McMath of George Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man, produced by Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc. at Hillsboro's Old Stone School Theatre, Hillsboro, VA.
- 2006, April - May - Director, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, produced by Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc. at Hillsboro's Old Stone School Theatre, Hillsboro, VA and Loudoun Country Day School, Leesburg, Virginia.
- 2004, November - Wrote and directed original adaptation of Alcott's LITTLE WOMEN, produced by Aurora Studio Theatre, Inc. at Hillsboro's Old Stone School Theatre, Hillsboro, VA.
"The Old Homeplace: A Loudoun Valley Tale" (2008) - Director. This was the premiere performance of a stage presentation at Loudoun County's Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center, Purcellville, Virginia; produced by Very Special Arts - Loudoun County.
"An 1850s Christmas" (2006, 2003 & 1997) -Producer, living history presentation of song, dance, and parlor games in conjunction with Hillsboro's Christmas Tour of Homes, Hillsboro, Virginia.
"The Hangar Dance USO Show," Leesburg Airport, 2003, June - Director / Producer, Leesburg, VA - to benefit the Commemorative Air Force, National Capitol Squadron.
"The Tally Ho Radio Show," 2002, December to 2003, May - Producer/Director, A 1940s-style live radio show presented at The Tally Ho Theatre, Leesburg, Virginia, in conjunction with WAGE Radio; shows featured a comedian show host, a cappella music by "The Swingin' Smithley Sisters," a Vox Pox-style interview with a WW II soldier "about to ship out," and full cast, live radio theatre presentations ofA Christmas Carol, Arsenic & Old Lace and the1936 radio comedy Nickelodeon.
"Rachel Carson: A Writer's Odyssey", 2001, August - Co-producer, A narrated dramatic readings of Carson's works. Presented at The Rachel Carson Conference, National Fish and Wildlife Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV.
"Waterford's War" - 2001, June - Wrote, produced and directed the narrated living history of Civil War Quaker Journalists for The Newseum, Rosslyn, Virginia. Commissioned by The Newseum in conjunction with their "War Stories" exhibit.
"By Lamplight & Campfire: Music of the Civil War", 2000-2001 - Wrote, produced and directed the narrated history of Civil War music. Songs sung by vocalists in period dress. (Performed at Hillsboro Community Association's 2000 Annual Meeting, Oatlands Plantation "2001 Winter Lecture Series" and Hill Playhouse, Middleburg, Virginia in May of 2001).
"Between Hawk & Buzzard: Loudoun County and the Civil War" - Wrote, produced and directed this living history program which presented dramatic readings of original Civil War letters and diaries within a narrated overview of Loudoun County Civil War History for The Loudoun Museum's 25th Anniversary Program (Presented January 21-22, 1994 in Leesburg, VA. Revised version presented at Loudoun Country Day School, May 2003).
"Live Radio Theatre at Studio Two" (1997-1999). Associate Producer for a live radio theatre program featured on WAGE Radio AM 1200, Leesburg, Virginia
"Sunday Afternoon Armchair Theatre" (1996-1997), Associate Producer for Brunswick, Maryland's WTRI
"The Union Ball" Producer. Co-writer with Brian Boucher (1995). Produced for The Loudoun Museum, Leesburg, VA; presented for the public May 13 at St. James Episcopal Church, Leesburg, VA to benefit The Loudoun Museum. Directed by Claudine Gilarski, Cathy Bieberick and Meredith Bean McMath.
"A Tale of a Tavern" (1979 - Wrote, produced and directed for The Dranesville Tavern Museum, Fairfax County Park Authority; produced August 4 at The Dranesville Tavern Museum, Dranesville, VA.