Missouri Western State University students will return to Colorado this week to take part in the centennial commemoration of the Ludlow Massacre, a pivotal moment in American labor history. The students will reprise their production of “American Story,” a musical retelling of the historical events of the Colorado Coalfield War, at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17 at the Ludlow Massacre Memorial, near Trinidad in southern Colorado, as part of statewide commemorative activities.
The Ludlow Massacre occurred on April 20, 1914, when the Colorado state militia attacked and burned a tent city housing striking mine workers who had been evicted from their company-owned homes. As many as 25 people died, shocking the nation and eventually transforming industrial worker-company relations.
To mark the centennial of this event, Colorado’s governor last year appointed a commission of historians, scholars, union members, the Colorado National Guard, archaeologists, tourism representatives and others to plan commemorative activities, exhibitions and events.
Missouri Western students performed “American Story” in Trinidad, Colo., a year ago. A member of the Ludlow Centennial Commemoration Commission contacted Dr. Laurel Vartabedian, who wrote the book and lyrics for the musical, about a return engagement tied to the centennial. The production will be part of the Ludlow Massacre Centennial Family History Day.
The performers in the current production are from Dr. Susan Carter’s Opera Workshop and include: Lauren Bergman, junior of St. Joseph; Kaitlyn Christian, senior of St. Joseph; Adrienne Collins ’14 of St. Joseph; Caleb Hazelwood, junior of St. Joseph; Jeremy Howe, sophomore of St. Joseph; Donovan Jones, junior of Tarkio, Mo.; Jacob Mills, junior of St. Joseph; and St. Joseph resident Dee Dee Squires.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.