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Locally-produced play wins grant funding from Dutchess County

Locally-produced play wins grant funding from Dutchess County

The Old Amenia Burying Ground of 1750 holds the graves of the town’s forebears including Ephraim and Mary Paine, lead characters in a new play, “Amenia’s Spycatcher,” to be presented as part of the town’s observance of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — A locally written and produced historical play is set to take the stage at Amenia Town Hall this summer as part of the town’s observance of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Resident George Bistransin announced during a Thursday, May 7, Town Board meeting that the Amenia Historical Society has been awarded a $15,000 grant from Dutchess County to produce “Amenia’s Spycatcher,” a new play he has written as a story of espionage, intrigue and romance set in Amenia during the American Revolution.

The play will be presented at the Town Hall Auditorium/Theater on Friday, Aug. 21, through Sunday, Aug. 23. Admission will be free. In support of the production, the historical society has also received a grant in the amount of $2,500 from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation to assist with a theatrical lighting upgrade.

Bistransin describes his new play as an adventure that weaves factual history from a variety of primary and secondary sources into a fictional historical drama.Early Amenia residents Ephraim and Mary Paine lived through the years of the Revolutionary War. The play follows their lives between 1777 and 1785, when Ephraim was a Dutchess County Judge and delegate to the Continental Congress.

Wherever possible, Paine’s actual words are used for the play script, Bistransin indicated, having engaged in extensive research. He is the playwright and will direct the play, drawing on considerable professional theater experience.

The process of casting Amenia’s Spycatcher and scheduling auditions is beginning. Auditions will be held on Wednesday, May 27, and Saturday, May 30. For details, phone Bistransin at 937-708-9717.

The Old Burying Ground on Mygatt Road holds the graves of Ephraim and Mary Paine, but over time, many of the gravestones, including Mary’s, have tilted, broken or fallen. The historical society is currently raising funds for stone restoration. For information on the effort, go to www.ameniahs.org.

Leila Hawken
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