In 1955, Emma “Grandma” Gatewood, a 67-year-old Ohio woman in Keds, carrying her things in a homemade sack, walked the entire Appalachian Trail. She hiked nearly 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. She was the first woman to complete a solo thru-hike and later did it again, for a total of three times.
Her story is about grit, stubborn hope, and that deep Appalachian knowing that if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you’ll get where you’re meant to go. Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk by Catherine Bush brings this true story to the stage. It offers a reminder that it’s never too late to start over, chase freedom, or answer the call of the trail. If these mountains mean something to you, come walk a while with Grandma Gatewood.
Performances February 20 and 21 at 7 p.m., February 22 at 2 p.m. An optional pre-show dinner is served on Saturday at 5:30 and Sunday at 12:30.
Directed by Emily Blankenship-Tucker, with visiting performer Becky Prophet as Grandma Gatewood and Rebecca Crocker performing thirteen supporting roles.
Produced with permission of the playwright.
The play has adult themes and is not intended for children. It is based on a true story, as told in the nonfiction book Grandma Gatewood’s Walk by Ben Montgomery (2014), and in Gatewood’s diaries and interviews.
www.ferrum.edu/theatre-tickets
