Outdoor Theater Performance of Iron Will
Thursday to Sunday, May 14th to the 17th, 2026
Tickets required
Immerse yourself in the story of the Revolutionary War Era community at Catoctin Furnace in a race against time to cast shells for the decisive battle of Yorktown!
Dates: Thursday – Sunday, May 14th to 17th
Run Time: 2 hours (including intermission)
Thursday, May 14th @ 7:00pm (Opening)
Friday, May 15th @ 7:00pm
Saturday, May 16th @ 7:00pm
Sunday, May 17th @ 5:00pm (Closing)
Attendee arrival, parking and shuttle information is at the bottom of the page.
The Fight for Freedom Depends on Who is Fighting
The original play Iron Will takes the audience on a journey through the village as enslaved African Americans and white colonists carry on their separate and often conflicting fights for freedom.
In 1781, the owners of Catoctin Furnace received an order for cannons and ammunition from a privateer commissioned by the financially strapped United States. As furnace workers raced to meet the deadline, not everyone was fighting for the same cause. There were English spies on one side. Americans on the other. And for the enslaved workers, life would remain the same whether they labored under a king or a president.
Iron Will is based on true events. Catoctin Furnace received an order for cannons and ammunition on July 10, 1781. The ship that was armed with those weapons was instrumental in the Siege of Yorktown in September and October of 1781. During the battle, American and French forces trapped Lord Cornwallis’ British army, forcing a surrender that effectively ended the war.
New this year, the Catoctin Furnace Outdoor Theater Festival takes place the same week as the Maryland Iron Festival. So on Saturday and Sunday, you can spend the day at the iron festival, then grab dinner and stay for the play. The Maryland Iron Festival is free, but tickets for Iron Will are $25 and can be purchased in advance at catoctinfurnace.org/theater. Senior and student discounts are available. Children 7 and under are free. Showtimes are at 7 pm Thursday, May 14th through Saturday the 17th and at 5 pm on Sunday.
Catoctin Furnace Road will be closed to traffic during both events. Free parking and a shuttle to the furnace will be available at Cunningham Falls State Park Manor Area off Route 15.
Casting Opportunity
Be a part of the story.
We need a few ironworkers for the casting shed scene (non-speaking but commitment to the performances. We will provide the costumes.) Please contact Reiner Prochaska for more information at livinghistory [at] catoctinfurnace [dot] org. If cast, Ironworkers will be costumed and receive up to $100 for participation in all four performances of Iron Will.
The play Iron Will is a work of fiction, but it is based on archival records and historical events that took place in the Catoctin Furnace village and the surrounding furnace lands during the Revolutionary War. The characters are based on real persons and composite figures.
Performances of Iron Will begin prior to and coincide with the 2026 Maryland Iron Festival weekend and feature evening performances after festival hours. This is a separate event from the Maryland Iron Festival where tickets are required for entry.
All attendees must check in at the Museum of the Ironworker to pick up their wristband. Please plan to arrive at least 30 mintues prior to show time to check in and explore the museum.
Accessibility: If you have questions regarding accessibility, please contact us before purchasing tickets.
Shoes: This is an immersive experience requiring walking from scene to scene, including historic buildings, trails, and the furnace green. Please wear comfortable shoes as attendees will be standing.
Pets: Pets are not allowed at this event due to the movement in and out of historic buildings and for the safety of our actors.
Cast & Creative
BRANDON DION GREGORY
Brandon Dion Gregory (Andrew), BRANDON DION GREGORY’s performing arts experience extends through-out large and small U.S. and international markets including but not limited to;
CRITICAL REVIEWS: New York Times, Broadway World, Plays to See, Baltimore Sun, Maryland Theatre Guide.
PLAYHOUSES: Signature Theatre (NYC), South African National Arts Festival, Classical Theatre of Harlem, McCarter Theatre (Princeton), Baltimore Center Stage, Pennsylvania Centre Stage, Syracuse Stage, Whole World Improv Theatre (ATL), Island Shakespeare Festival(WSH), Fells Pointe Corner Theatre (BAL), Baltimore Museum of Art.
NETWORKS: ABC, SHOWTIME, BET, TVOne.
BRANDS: TOYOTA, REESE’S, CRUNCH, TIM HORTON’S, and the COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME.
TRAINING: New York City, Pennsylvania State University (MFA), London, Atlanta.
INSTRUCTION: Pennsylvania State University, New York Film Academy, Newberry College, Baltimore School for the Arts, Private Coaching.
Visit www.BRANDONGREGORY.net for more details.
JACQUELINE YOUM
Jacqueline Youm (Eseosa) is thrilled to be returning to the Catoctin Furnace. She is a Senegalese American actor, lawyer, and language teacher. Directing credits include: Tartuffe. Romeo & Juliette, Fires in the Mirror, Miss Evers Boys… Past acting credits include: Laurel Mill Playhouse : JULIETTE in Romeo & Juliette; MISS EVERS in Miss Evers’ Boys; Round House Theatre: ADENIKEH in Nollywood Dreams; Dominion Stage: STOOL PIGEON in King Hedley II (2023 WATCH award); Chesapeake Shakespeare Co: HELENA in A Midsummer Night’s Dream... She gives her everything to her ancestors and maman. To connect: Youtube (Cestjackie) | Instagram: @jy_artiste | Facebook: Jacqueline Elisabeth | TikTok: Joyū | https://cestjackie.wixsite.com/jacquelineyoum | https://linktr.ee/jacquelineyoum
KATIE MARTIN
Katie Martin (Rachel) is thrilled to be making her debut in Iron Will! MET: Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress (Moira/Ms. Melo), The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom; Janet/Columbia U/S), Small Mouth Sounds(Alicia/Joan U/S), The Crucible (Tituba, Hathorne, Giles Corey). OVT: Chicago (June). REGIONAL: Rent (Ensemble), Singin’ in The Rain (Zelda Zanders), Curtains (Ensemble), Hairspray (Ensemble). Theater, dance, and music have been a major part of Katie’s life for years. She even did a 10-day singing tour in England and Scotland with her choir as a music student at Towson University! “Thank you to my family and friends for the continued support. Enjoy the show!”
KEN POISSON
Ken Poisson (Ironworker) is thrilled to be part of this culturally significant, historical play with such an amazing and talented cast. Favorite past roles include Snug the Lion in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Maryland Ensemble Theatre), Polyphemus in The Young Olympians, The Most Amazingly Awesome Adventure Ever (MET) and the Old Man in The Wizard of Odd (MET). Thanks to Reiner for all his love and support.
MARSHALL HACKETT
Marshall Hackett (James Johnson) After retiring from the Air Force, Marshall Hackett completed the Honors Acting Conservatory at the Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts in Washington DC. When not performing, he enjoys making music, reading fantasy, playing board games, telling stories, and learning as much as he can about the world. He is very thankful for all of the support he has gotten from friends and family in pursuit of his dreams.
Instagram @Hacketttown
PATRICK OPITZ
Patrick Opitz (Böhringer) is a graduate of the Saint Bonaventure theater and history departments. Prior historical enactment work includes playing a Confederate soldier in the American Civil War, an American soldier in WWII, a Crusader, and numerous positions on the Renaissance Faire circuit.
Instagram
Facebook
Patrick Opitz – IMDb
TAYLOR PEPPERS
Taylor Peppers (Jeremiah Bowles) is an actor and poet based in Beltsville, MD. He is excited to participate in this immersive living history experience at Catoctin Furnace. He thanks the cast and crew for putting together this production. He has appeared onstage at the Washington County Playhouse, Way Off Broadway, The Greenbelt Arts Center, and The Gaithersburg Arts Barn.”
ERIK ALEXIS
Erik Alexis (Thomas Johnson), Erik W. Alexis is a theatre and film actor native to Maryland. Some of his favorite theatre roles include Valmont in “Les Liaisons Dangereuses”, The Chairman in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”, and Harry in “Night of the Living Dead”. On film, he has played Zombie George Washington in “Re-Elected” and Jim Neal in “For Sale”, both available on streaming. Erik is excited to be reprising his role from the inaugural production of “Iron Will” last year.
REINER PROCHASKA
Reiner Prochaska (Producer, director, co-writer, Brother Schlegel) is an actor, playwright, novelist, director, and educator. His plays (Canterbury Tales: Love and Marriage, Antigone: Through the Ages, A Revolutionary Christmas) have been produced regionally and published internationally.
Reiner is usually drawn to literary and historical material, including his two most recent novels, Captives (2019) and Bergthora’s Saga: A Heathen Revenge in a Christian Iceland (2024).
He is thrilled to collaborate with the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society in bringing the furnace’s rich cultural history to modern audiences. He would like to thank Ken, Elizabeth, and everyone else involved in this revival of our September 2025 inaugural production.
DAVID JACKSON
David Jackson (Isaac) is a DMV based area actor and history lover. He most recently appeared as “The Proprietor” in The Musical, Assassins at Laurel Mill Playhouse.Earlier this year he appeared in the staged reading of a new play, The Rescue Trial; portraying abolitionist and freedom fighter, Lewis Hayden. He would like to thank Jacqueline Youm for connecting him with the Catoctin furnace and Iron Will production team.
Follow David on Instagram for more updates and behind-the-scenes content: @dajacks1.
CHRISTIAN PRICE-BURNETT
Christian Price-Burnett (he/him) (Samuel) is a Senior in the BFA Acting program at UMBC. This is his second time working with Catoctin Furnace! He has played as Mason in John Proctor is the Villain, Tin Man in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the ensemble for Matilda and The Secret Garden at Park Playhouse. He has also been in the Ensemble in shOUT!, Ensemble in Slime, and Jim Jackson in Street Scenes at UMBC. Christian would like to thank his chorus and music directors, Mr. Fatuzzo and Mrs. McLoughlin, his twin, Christopher, his dad and mom.
Instagram: wrld.of.tian | Facebook: Christian Price-Burnett
Photo credit: Michael Mason Studios
MATT PROVANCE
Matt Provance (General Poe) is excitedly joining Iron Will for the first time. This is his triumphant return to acting after a two year break to become a father. Acting credits include Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Mark Antony in Julius Caesar, Horatio in Hamlet and Tim in Noises Off. later this Summer he will appear as Douglas/Gladshill in Henry IV part I and Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing as part of the Frederick Shakespeare Festival. He would like to take this opportunity to thank the director, cast and crew for their trust in him. He sends all his love and gratitude to his Amazing Wife Renata and their Son Tap.
Instagram: @mattprovanceart
Facebook: facebook.com/mattprovance
STEVEN DAY
Steven Day (Thomas Addison) is a Baltimore-based actor from PG County, Maryland. Since receiving his BFA in acting from Towson University, he has been serving his community both on and off the stage. He’d like to extend a massive thanks to Reiner Prochaska and the rest of the administrative team behind the CFLHF for the opportunity to help bring the story of the Catoctin Furnace to life.
MICHAEL ROCCO DENICOLIS
Michael Rocco DeNicolis (Johann Schlegel) has participated in community and performing groups for 11 years . He’s appeared in Ovation Dinner theater productions since 2019 and has enjoyed roles in Christmas Carol (Young Scrooge, Fred), Murder On The Menu (Reginald Gastronomy), Teddy Brewster (Arsenic & Old Lace), Anthony Marstan (And Then There Were None), and Jolly Jack Walker (Urban Pirates).He thanks Lydia for getting them involved and the rest of the cast and crew for their wonderful work and a fun time! Enjoy the show!
DERICK J. KING
Derick J. King (Ironworker) is an actor/ artist, born and raised in Baltimore, Md. He’s graced the stage at some of Baltimore’s most prominent theaters such as, the Arena Players (Stick Fly/ Black Nativity), Unified Voices (The Wiz) and the Eubie Blake center (Good Girls Never Tell). Derick can be seen on A&E’s “Panic 911” and on Tubi in films such as “Selector” & “Check please”. Derick would like to thank his family, friends, and of course this amazing cast and crew.
Parking, Road Closure, and Accessibility during Iron Will and the Maryland Iron Festival Weekend
Attendees to all performances are required to park in the Manor Area parking lot at Cunningham Falls State Park. You are not permitted to drive into the festival area.
Note: Due to high foot traffic in the village, MD Rt. 806 will be CLOSED from Kellys Store Road to Blacks Mill Road during the Maryland Iron Festival through Iron Will performance hours on Saturday and Sunday. You can learn more about the Maryland Iron Festival here.
From the Manor Parking area: Visitors can either walk the quarter-mile trail (only permitted during daylight) to the festival site or take the free shuttle to the festival and performance of Iron Will. The Maryland Iron Festival/Iron Will shuttle will run continuously between the festival and the parking lot (about every 15 to 20 minutes). It takes about five minutes to drive from the parking lot to the performance area and attendees will be picked up after the conclusion of the show and taken back to thier vehicles. The shuttle is mobility-friendly and equipped with a wheelchair lift.
If you have any questions, send us a message by clicking here.
General Parking Instructions
Free Parking: All attendees are required to park at the Manor Area parking lot (6179 Cunningham Falls Park Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788) at Cunningham Falls State Park, which is free of charge.
Unaffiliated Tour Bus Group Drop-Offs and Pick-Ups
Unaffiliated Tour Bus & Shuttle Parking: If your group is arriving by bus (mini & large) must drop and pick up their party at the Victory Tabernacle parking lot (6710 Kellys Store Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788). From there it is a short, flat walk to the festival/perforance area.
If your guests have concerns about the walk please get in touch with us prior to the perfomrance dates.
Interact with us on social media
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