Grant for staging of Oliver Perry trial

Andrea Evangelist, Director of the Wayne County Historical Society and Old Jail Museum announced that the Society will receive decentralization funding to produce the re-enactment of an historical trial of train robber Oliver Curtis Perry and a video of the production. Performances will be held at the Wayne County Courthouse on October 16 and 17.

Money will be from the Finger Lakes Arts Grants & Services, Inc., under the guidance of NYS Council on the Arts, The mission of the Wayne County Historical Society is to encourage an appreciation of local history through the collection, preservation and exhibition of artifacts and to disseminate historical information about the County.

'Through our work, we have found that historical information presented to the public in a dramatic manner interests people and causes them to ask questions, explore situations, think about human experience and desire to learn even more about the topic,' explains Evangelist. 'By utilizing historic drama, history comes alive and remains a vivid memory to those who experience the performance.'

This play, with its cast of more than 50, will provide broad citizen participation. The jury box will be filled with costumed men who will have very small speaking parts; costumed extras will fill the first row of the courtroom, and several bit parts will be available to first-time actors.

The intent in offering The Trial of Oliver Curtis Perry is to provide the audience with a deeper knowledge and understanding of our shared past and also encourage future community involvement in drama and the arts. A video of the trial will be made so that people who cannot attend the October event can enjoy the production at a later time.

To express interest in acting in the event, call (946.4943), Monday to Friday, 10 to 4.

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