"Journey to Ohio" play explores early migration to the Mahoning Valley

This June, Kent Trumbull Theatre and Summer Stock present "Journey to Ohio," a play based on the journey of Margaret Van Horn Dwight from Connecticut to The Connecticut Western Reserve of Northeast Ohio. The play teaches the earliest periods of migration to this region as well as helps the audience better understand life in the early 1800s. The play is written and directed by Jim Canacci, associate lecturer, Kent State Trumbull. 

To purchase tickets to the play, which will be performed June 13-16 and June 20-23, call the Kent Trumbull Theatre Box Office at 330-675-8887 or email trumbullboxoffice@kent.edu. Thursday-Saturday shows begin at 7:30 pm. Sunday shows begin at 3 pm.

Free play tickets for Trumbull County Language Arts/History teachers!

Local teachers are invited to attend the play with a guest for free. Kent State Trumbull and the Trumbull County Historical Society will host a  brief symposium after the June 14-15 and June 21-23 performances, offering related materials to add the play to Ohio history instruction and projects. Canacci and other experts will offer suggestions and answer questions about the production, the play, Margaret’s travel journal, and the John Stark Edwards’ House. 

"It is a great way to add local flavor to your curriculum," said Canacci. "It is a fun play that hits close to home (pun intended)."

While the original script runs about ninety minutes, Canacci and students have cut the play to a forty-five-minute version for use in classes. 

"I would love to see this add to, not necessarily replace, existing Ohio history instruction and projects," Canacci said. 

Teachers who want to register for the play and symposium can call Jim Canacci at 330-675-8828 or visit https://www.kent.edu/trumbull/journey. The deadline to register is Monday, June 3. 

POSTED: Tuesday, May 14, 2019 04:41 PM
Updated: Friday, December 9, 2022 07:36 AM