PINE PLAINS — Dyan Wapnick, president of the Little Nine Partners Historical Society, is reluctant to call herself a playwright, but after penning Widow’s Weeds — a compelling and true story about a Revolutionary War widow — she’s embracing the creative process and watching her words come to life on stage.
The play will be performed for one-day only at the Stissing Center on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 4 p.m.
Widow’s Weeds is based on the true story of Mary Ingalls, an 84-year-old Revolutionary War widow who, in 1842, fought to receive her late husband’s military pension using only her memories and oral testimony.
Wapnick was inspired to write Widow’s Weeds after a descendant of Mary and Elihu Ingalls, who were married in Pine Plains in the late 1700s, donated family research to the historical society. When the opportunity to apply for a Dutchess County Department of History grant arose, she saw a chance to bring their little-known story to life on stage.
After extensive research and conversations with descendants of Mary and Elihu Ingalls, Wapnick says telling their story carries a sense of vindication. “These widows went through so much just to be recognized,” she says. “As a widow myself, I could relate to Mary — there was a real kinship.” Wapnick believes the play is important not only for the Ingalls family, but also “to highlight a forgotten segment of history.”
Grace Dietrich, left, Dean Temple, and James Elvin, right, running lines on stage at the Stissing Center on Thursday, Aug. 28. Widow’s Weeds is being directed by Robert C. Lyons.Photo by Aly Morrissey
As a historian, Wapnick says “it was important to keep the story as accurate as possible.” She says it was a unique challenge to stay true to the facts while crafting a narrative compelling enough for the stage. There are moments where she allowed creative choices to take the lead, stepping slightly away from strict historical accuracy in service of the story.
For example, though she had access to the depositions from the late 1800s, the language was “dry, rambling and dated.” Wapnick says she edited the dialogue to add color and modernize it, while keeping the original essence.
Additionally, a funeral scene is styled like a medieval wake. “The inspiration is drawn from a different historical time period,” Wapnick says, “but the mood just felt right.”
Though Widow’s Weeds is her first play, Wapnick is no stranger to writing. She researches and pens the monologues for Pine Plains’ annual cemetery tours and even has an unpublished novel. “But a play is exciting in a completely different way,” she says.
With rehearsals well underway, Wapnick credits New York City playwright and director Robert C. Lyons with bringing the production to life on stage. A Pine Plains resident and seasoned director, Lyons has included Wapnick in the creative process throughout rehearsals. “Robert is a fantastic director — he keeps things moving and has brought this so far in a short time,” says Wapnick.
Widow’s Weeds was made possible in part by a $9,475 grant from the Dutchess County Department of History. The Rev250 grant — a $100,000 initiative funded by the Dutchess County Legislature — supports public programming that explores the enduring impact of the American Revolution on local communities, in honor of its 250th anniversary.
Rooted in history and guided by Wapnick’s pen, a love story, a ghost story, and a fight for women’s rights intertwine in this remarkable true account. The performance is free and open to the public, though reservations are required through the Stissing Center website.
Karina Powers teaches traditional dances from Mexico in Millbrook.
Powers received a master’s degree in Mexican folklore dance from Escuela de la Danza in Baja California, Mexico. Since moving to the United States, she has built a career in performance and teaching. She has not only served as a dance director and performed as a professional vernacular music singer in California, but she has also worked towards her Doctorate, which she will receive in October.
As the founder of her company, Powers works tirelessly to make sure her dancers have everything they need, including costumes, proper flooring, music and a space to practice. Her husband built wooden panels, called tarimas, for students to dance on with their folklórico shoes. Millbrook Mayor Peter F. Doro allows Powers and her group to practice in Millbrook Hall, where she brings the tarimas to every practice along with costumes and proper footwear.
Powers dreams of owning her own studio where she can practice with her group, offer more classes, store costumes and create a space for her dancers to do their hair and makeup before performances. She said she hopes people learn about her classes so her company can grow and she can teach dances from a wider range of Mexican states while having greater access to traditional dress.
As a single mother and professor, Powers’ mother, Carmen Méndez, put her children in dance classes and signed them up for track and field, always keeping them goal- and career-oriented. She helped Powers with her company by creating all of the costumes her dancers wear in their performances. After her mother’s death in 2021, Powers said she has dedicated herself to carrying forward the passion, work ethic and love of dance her mother instilled in her.
“I miss her terribly, and I’m here because of her,” Powers said. “That’s why I want to do this, because of her. She gave me a lot, with the costumes, with her support. I do it for my mom.”
Karina Powers and her students practice in Millbrook Hall.Lucia Iandolo
Dancers in Powers’ group are dedicated to learning the art of dance from different states in Mexico on Tuesday and Friday nights at Millbrook Hall. They travel from many different places in New York to participate, with some dancers traveling more than an hour to make it to rehearsal each week.
“It’s a lot of work, but they learn it. I believe they love it, and it’s a way to come together, to do something good, to do something healthy, and to have people around you who appreciate this kind of art,“ Powers said.
Powers has studied with professor Eloy Jiménez Figueroa since childhood and said his mentorship inspired her to become the teacher she is today. She added that while she may not be the best teacher, she learned from the best.
While living in California, Powers taught elementary, high school and college students, as well as adults. She was recruited to teach traditional Mexican folkloric dance because of the region’s large Mexican community. Today, she encourages people of all backgrounds to explore the rich traditions of Mexican dance.
“This type of dance is not only for people from Mexico,” Powers said. “This is an art and the arts unite nations.”
Powers hopes to continue sharing that art in Millbrook and one day teach in the Millbrook Central School District. Powers and her group will perform at the Millbrook Library on Nov. 21, presenting traditional Mexican dances and inviting audience members to participate.
As a professor, dancer and singer, Powers stays grounded by believing in something greater than herself. She says that praying and putting herself in the hands of God has helped anchor her. She hopes to teach and dance for as long as her body allows.
“My mom, for me, is an angel. I put myself in her hands, and I have faith,” Powers said. “I have faith that God, or something good, is going to be there for the group and for myself.”
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