James, John, and Mike

James, 65 years old Mayor and former Police chief of Fredericktown, John, manager of Athens Greek Restaurant and Mike, factory worker.

A scene from Rooted

Carol, Margaret, and Patricia

Carol, 34 years old librarian and co-worker, Margaret and Patricia, former teacher and Kenyon alumni.

Bob

Bob, father of four, explains why he founded Yellowbird Foodshed.

Patricia, Dianne, and John

Cast members from left to right: Patricia, 67 years old, former teacher, Kenyon Alumni in second co-ed class, Dianne, 41 years old co-owner of Foster's Pharmacy Eastside, mother of two, John, Manager of Athens Greek Restaurant.

Richard, Olivia, Mike, and Margaret

Cast members in the play: Richard, 88 years old former executive director of YMCA, Olivia, Mexican American 18 years old high school senior headed to college, Mike, 61 years old factory worker, and Margaret, 60 years old.

Claire

Claire compares her life of anonymity and work opportunities as an actress in LA with her life in Knox County where strong community and family ties sustain her.

Kathy

Kathy, director of the Escape Zone tells stories of the struggles and successes of the youth center.

Carol and Margaret

Librarians Carol and Margaret talk about the new roles of librarians in the community.

Maria

Maria Brescia-Weiler '19, script writer of Rooted.

Olivia

Mexican American Olivia shares her story of family values, cultural diversity, and the desire of Latinos to make lives for themselves in the local community.

Clara with Maria and her parents

Prof. Clara Román-Odio with María Brescia-Weiler and her parents.

Main Entrance of the Warehouse going into MTVarts Black Box

Outside View of MTVarts at the Opening Night of Rooted

Rooted Reception at MTVarts Warehouse

Rooted Reception at MTVarts Warehouse 2

General Invite to ROOTED: Stories of Knox County

This project began as an independent study course, Stories of Knox County, led by Kenyon College Professor Clara Román-Odio, and was catalyzed by the passion and interest of four students enrolled in the course: Maria Brescia-Weiler, Sarah Aguilar, Gabriel Jimenez Ekman, and Mary Grace Detmer. Their interest in the stories of the people of Knox County was sparked during the seminar, Life along the Kokosing, taught by Kenyon Professor Howard Sacks.

Stories of Knox County is an oral history project aimed at capturing what is means to be part of this community. Students interviewed a cross section of resident both diverse and representative of the community; variety in age, belief systems, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, level of activity in the community, and geographic location within the county (i.e. urban / rural).

Although academic in origin, the project became a community play once the interest of these students converged with the pride and love of community so clearly expressed by Knox County interviewees. Maria Brescia-Weiler wrote the play, Hannah Klubeck made the poster (pictured above), and the wheels were set in motion to produce it through a partnership with MTVarts. Our hope is that sharing this public humanities with the community will increase dialogue and learning about each other.

Rooted: Stories of Knox County premiered at MVTarts Theater Company in Mount Vernon, Ohio in December 2017. Bruce Jacklin, MTVarts Artistic Director, directed the play. Set design was by Joseph Bell, and technical design and support was provided by Scott Swingle. The play was produced with assistance from MTVarts Business Manager, Janis Stone, and Kenyon College Professor Clara Román-Odio.