Nearly 50 years ago, Tropical Storm Agnes descended on the Susquehanna River Basin, upending lives, devastating homes, and transforming the Susquehanna Valley.
In this performance, Bucknell students join with local residents to revisit Agnes and the lessons it has for today.
It will transform more than 30 interviews, hundreds of photographs, and dozens of newspaper articles from the days of Agnes into songs, monologues, scenes, dances, and more.
The program will not only be based on experiences of area community residents -- the cast will feature community leaders and Agnes survivors as well.
This performance draws on the historical research of Presidential Fellow Bethany Fitch (‘23) and Prof. Andrew Stuhl (Environmental Studies and Sciences), which includes more than 20 oral histories with Pennsylvanians who lived through the storm and resulting recovery.
It also reflects the creative direction of Prof. Elaine Williams (Theater and Dance) and Storyteller-in-Residence Jerry Stropnicky, who have worked with Bucknell students in the spring semester to transform research into performance.
Sandy Spieler is the Director and Designer of the program.
Bucknell students Bethany Fitch, Katrien Weemas, Clare McGowan, Lydia Palumbo, Orli Bernstein, Megan Munter, Mesa Ashton, John Owen, Tatumn Kohlbrenner and Cam Kittell are part of the performance.
They are joined and directed by Gerard Stropnicky (Founding Member, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble; Director of FLOOD STORIES and FLOOD STORIES, TOO)
Come for an evening of story and performance, come to remember Agnes, or come to share your own story in a “talk back” segment at the conclusion of the evening.
Funding for the program is provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Bucknell University Humanities Center.
Co-sponsors of this special event include-- CommUnity Zone; Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way; Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce; Lewisburg Neighborhoods Corporation; Newsradio 1070 WKOK; Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers; SEDA-COG Flood Resiliency Program; Stories on Tap; Susquehanna Life Magazine; Susquehanna Life Out Loud Podcast; and Susquehanna Valley Mediation.
Click Here to register. Visit the Bucknell University Humanities Center Facebook event page for more.
(Photo: Out-of-control fire rages near Public Square in Wilkes-Barre cut off during Agnes flooding as the only thing onlookers could do is watch. Wilkes-Barre Times Leader. It was not the only fire to start in towns and cities up and down the Susquehanna.)
Resource Links:
-- Hurricane Agnes - Wikipedia
-- PaHistory.org - Inundation Of The Heartland Tropical Storm Agnes
-- WBRE-TV: Hurricane Agnes Documentary
-- Times Leader: Agnes Still On People’s Minds
-- PennLive: Tropical Storm Agnes Devastated PA In 1972
-- PennLive: Tropical Storm Agnes - Video
-- Tropical Storm Agnes - Video Of Damage
[Posted: April 14, 2021] PA Environment Digest
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