Immerse yourself in the story of the Revolutionary War Era community at Catoctin
Tickets on sale now for Iron Will
Performances are Thursday – Sunday, September 11th-14th
- Thursday, September 11 @ 8:00pm (Pay-what-you-can Preview)
- Friday, September 12 @ 8:00pm (Opening)
- Saturday, September 13 @ 12:00pm, 4:00pm, 8:00pm
- Sunday, September 14 @ 12:00pm, 4:00pm (Closing)
Performance Details:
Each performance time slot has a maximum of 90 attendees, divided into three tour groups of 30 people. Tickets are available in four categories: Adult, Senior/Military, Student, and Under 7. Ticket availability updates in real time as purchases are made.
If you’re attending as part of a group, we strongly recommend purchasing all tickets in a single transaction to help us keep your group together during the performance.
Catoctin Furnace Living History Festival Room Blocks
Start Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025
End Date: Monday, September 15, 2025
TownePlace Suites Frederick for 199.00 USD per night
Fairfield Inn & Suites Frederick for 179.00 USD per night
Thank you to our generous sponsors
Cast
Erik W. Alexis (Thomas Johnson) 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. He can next be seen as Harry Beaton in “Brigadoon” with Live Arts Maryland on September 26 and 27 at Maryland Hall. Erik is excited to take part in this production that highlights Maryland history.
Griffin Duy (Johann Schlegel) is a working character actor based out of DC & Philadelphia, whilst performing in New York as well. His theatrical journey started at The Gilliam Center of the Arts at UVA-Wise, where he performed in black comedy plays and advanced theatre labs. The rigorous studies of a political science degree, along with a history & theatre minor, opened his mind to the creative, deeply philosophical, and immersive approach to the humanities. Upon graduating in 2017, Griffin moved on to the Cheryl Felicia Rhoads Northern Virginia Acting School, where he trained diligently & extensively, shortly after he earned his first professional credits. Throughout the 7 years he has been a professional, he has played a wide range of eclectic, odd, and enigmatic characters in all mediums of performance. Ardently grateful for every opportunity, having a blast getting to know Johann.
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.
Reiner Prochaska (Producer, co-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 inaugural production.
Ken Poisson (Iron Worker) is thrilled to be part of this culturally significant and historically meaningful production and honored to share the stage with such an incredibly talented and dedicated cast and crew. Favorite past roles include Snug the Joiner 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.
Melissa Scott (Rachel), Melissa recently appeared onstage as Nya in the production of Pipeline at Vagabond Players. Other roles include:
Mrs. Muller (Doubt), Elizabeth Keckley ( A Civil War Christmas), and Judith Kaufman (An American Daughter). Melissa also appeared onstage in the 10×10 Festival at Fells Point Corner Theatre. Originally from New York, Melissa relocated to Baltimore during the summer of 2020.
She is thrilled to be a part of this amazing production and would like to thank the producers for giving her the chance to do what she loves best!
Derick Vallecillo (Jeremiah Bowles) is an up and coming actor who recently graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC. His most notable roles were of Louis Ironson in the Baltimore City College adaptation of Angels in America and of Leonato in the BCC adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing.
Joe Staton (General Poe) is a British actor based in New York City. Recent credits include The Woman in Black (Bluff City Theatre) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Ensemble Shakespeare Company). Other stage work includes Murder on the Orient Express, Macbeth, Taming of the Shrew (Cumberland Theatre), The Cherry Orchard (performed in French, Under St. Marks), Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare in the Woods), The Importance of Being Earnest (Indigo Productions), Julius Caesar (Ensemble Shakespeare Company), The Rainmaker (Court Square Theater), and The Seagull (Harold Clurman Lab). He is also the founder of RiffRaff NYC and works as an actor, producer, and occasional director. www.joestaton.net
Social media handles: @staton_the_facts and my Facebook can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/joesprog/
Jacqueline Youm (Milly) feels blessed to participate in such meaningful storytelling. She is a Senegalese American actor, lawyer, and language teacher. Directing credits include: Romeo & Juliette, Fires in the Mirror, Rapunzrella White… 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; Best Medicine Rep: JO ANNE in The Trip. She gives her everything to her ancestors and maman. To connect: Youtube (Cestjackie) | Instagram: @jy_artiste | Facebook: Jacqueline Elisabeth | https://linktr.ee/
Kah’Lil Hicks-Jumper (Isaac and Samuel) is thrilled to grace the stage once again. Originally from Decatur, Illinois, Kah’Lil graduated from Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts with a BFA concentration in Acting at Howard University. Kah’Lil brings a wealth of experience, being an Alumn of British American Drama Academy “Midsommer in Oxford” 2025 Cohort, Attending the Stella Adler Art of Acting Summer Conservatory and Film/tv Intensive. Kah’Lil’s previous roles include Canewell in August Wilson’s ‘Seven Guitars’ at Howard University, Marc in “Words Become Flesh” at Ira Aldridge Theatre, “BF” in Jiehae Parks, Peerless at The Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, “Jamal” in Salted Lemonade at Onley Theatre and Ensemble in ‘Newsies: The Broadway Musical’ at Iowa Central Community College. With a passion for storytelling and a dedication to his craft, Kah’Lil is honored to be a part of this production and hopes to bring life to voices unheard through truthful storytelling and a message that will leave you walking away inspired.
Derick J. King (Isaac and Samuel) 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.
Lydia West: (Ironworker, US Rachel/Milly), A Baltimore/DMV actress and director, her favorite acting credits include The Mountaintop (Camae – 2024 WATCH Awards nominee: Outstanding Lead Actress), Hamlet (Gertrude), Steel Magnolias (Truvy), and Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Charlaine). Favorite directing credits include Light (Baltimore Playwrights Festival, 2025), Waverly Hall (Artistic Synergy of Baltimore, 2025), and Captain Hook: My Story, Or How I Clawed My Way to the Top (Artistic Synergy of Baltimore, 2022). Board member for Artistic Synergy of Baltimore and Theatre Arts teacher and Theatre Productions director at Randallstown High School in Baltimore County. She’s eternally grateful for the support of her husband, Scott, and son, Luke.
Ray Hatch (Andrew) has been in the performing arts and dance for over 50 years as an actor, singer, dancer, director, choreographer and performance coach. He became a professional choreographer at age 18 with a production of West Side Story. He’s been Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Leading Player in Pippin, Richie in A Chorus Line, Scarecrow in The Wiz, Jacob & ZaZa in separate productions of La Cage Aux Folles, Andre in Ain’t Misbehavin’ (15 times), Horse in The Full Monty; just to name a select few. As a director, local credits include Circle Mirror Transformation,Arsenic and Old Lace, Three Little Birds, Detroit ’67 and South and Saintsat Maryland Ensemble Theatre. On stage, Ray has been Soapy in Gift of the Magi, Canterbury Tales, Miss Tracy Mills in The Legend of Georgia McBride, Belize in Angels In America and Angels In America Pt. 2; Perestroika, Brucie in Sweat and Montrellous in Clyde’s.
Blacksmiths
Richard Doody
Patrick Gill
Crew
Stephen Craig: Technical Director
Ali Gilman: SM, Co-Director, Co-Writer and Choreographer
Maureen O’Neal: Costumer
Reiner Prochaska: Co-Director, Co-Writer
Lydia West: Cultural Consultant
Susan Ciaverelli: Co-Writer
Ken Poisson: Graphic Designer