Student writes answers to questions on Amy's Drama Worksheet
Bringing together people and celebrating their heritage through the arts has been our goal as community artists for the past sixteen years. Listening to the elders’ stories, stimulating the creativity of children to help write the stories, writing, casting and producing original plays about the heritage of a community using the talents of the local people, painting large backdrops of color depicting the lives of the people, designing and producing props and costumes have all been accomplished through our community work. The joy of creating a project that allows a community to celebrate its heritage and become actively involved in storytelling, creative writing, visual arts, and performance arts is beyond measure.
Our goal was accomplished in the project “Old Jack’s Dream, the story behind the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge ” in Anson Conty, North Carolina. In the after school SOS (Support Our Students) program at Anson Middle School and Morven Elementary School, we established a safe environment where “at risk” children could experience their own creativity. These children were “low achievers.” By the end of our two week residency they had written an entire play about a part of their community history, the Pee Dee Wildlife Refuge, brought to life the lovable characters of migrating wild Canadian geese and painted a breathtakingly colorful backdrop for the play. Assisting with story material were senior citizens of Grace Senior Center in nearby Wadesboro, North Carolina. They called up memories of some 10,000 wild geese migrating to and from Gaddy’s Wild Goose Refuge (the roots of the Pee Dee Wildlife Refuge) between 1934 and 1975. The seniors and the children were deeply affected by this project. Feelings of self worth abounded and we believe never will be forgotten.
This “bringing together of community” was also accomplished in “The Spirit of Appalachia,” a play written by Amy Ammons Garza about our Appalachian heritage. The play is based on her novel, "Retter," which tells the tale of her Appalachian grandparents, Tom and Retter Ammons. For years southern Appalachia has suffered from the illusion of “hick and hillbilly” stories. This play dispels the myths of what “poor” means. It shows the true richness of our heritage, one of close family ties, courage, a closeness to nature and a valuing of the folk arts of our mountain people. The play was cast with players from the community, set and props created by community members and performed at the Appalachian Culture Center in Otto, North Carolina. “The Spirit of Appalachia” played throughout the spring , summer and fall of 1998. We had standing room only and standing ovations for our salute to the common folks of our mountain communities.
What better path to positive change through the arts than respect for other’s heritage, respect for ones self. Once self worth is accomplished through experiencing personal creativity, it radiates out to all those around. We believe personal self worth to be the building block that creates a community of new common ground. As people begin to understand one another in an arts environment, a bond is established that will withstand many obstacles.
"Earth Song"—Drama Workshop/Residency by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia A Multicultural Drama & Fair, for Blue Ridge School in Glenville, NC, November 8, 2001 The children chose the nations they wanted to learn about, then stories were chosen from storytelling books. The original program concept and dance development were by Suzanne Kehrberg through collaboration with Catch the Spirit of Appalachia. Dances and songs were directed by Katie Hoyle. Playwright & overall director, Amy Ammons Garza. Artistic and Set Director, Doreyl Ammons Cain
Experiencing Five Nations through dance, song, storytelling and art: West Africa, Asia, Middle East, North America, Europe
"Spirits in the Wind"—Macon
County School System’s After School Program contracted The Ammons
Sisters to help their 4th & 5th grade students write a play about
Macon County history. The Native American mound that still lies within
the boundaries of Franklin, NC became the subject of their play. A
highly imaginative story about a real Indian princess, the Spanish
crusaders and magical forest animals evolved. The play, called "Spirits
in the Wind," involved a facilitation by Doreyl Ammons Cain of the
creation of large nature murals, masks and a three dimensional
rendition of the mound. Amy Garza directed the play, inspiring
enthusiastic acting, song & dance which was presented successfully
to the local community.
"Ghost Legends of Tsa-La-gi"—The Cherokee Youth Center Boys & Girls Club , theEastern Band of Cherokee Indians and The Cherokee Preservation Foundation came together to work with Doreyl Ammons Cain and Amy Ammons Garza of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia as artists in residence to create a Cherokee Little Theater. This was a three year project that involved two residencies a year, one for writing a play and the other for production of the written play. The fourth & fifth grade students of the Cherokee Youth Center under the guidance of the Ammons Sisters wrote the play based on their own experience as Cherokee children. This same group of children became actors and actresses, made masks and painted the backdrop for the play.
"Samantha Bumgarner, & the History of Mountain String Music" The Jackson County Public Schools Board of Education, Jackson County Arts teachers and the Jackson County Arts Council worked with artists in residence Doreyl Ammons Cain and Amy Ammons Garza to create a greater awareness of local history for county wide fourth graders and the community. The Ammons Sisters facilitated a writers workshop in which a play was written by the fourth graders of one school, directed another school in acting and dance, facilitated the production of the costumes in another school, and guided the children of another school in the painting of the backdrop & props. The play, called “Samantha Bumgarner, & the History of Mountain String Music,” was performed at Southwestern Community College’s main campus for the entire community.
"Gifts of Wolf Mountain" A Christmas story for the whole family, Catch the Spirit of Appalachia presented this play for three years at Christmastime. Based on a childhood story written by Amy Ammons Garza, the play was performed by local community adults and children.
The play showed the heart-warming story of three mountain children and what they received for Christmas.
"Strong Comes After"
The University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA), the Women’s Coalition of Western North Carolina and artists Doreyl Ammons Cain & Amy Ammons Garza planned and implemented a major production honoring women making a difference in Western North Carolina. Amy Garza wrote a play called “Strong Comes After” which recognized women’s strong influence in the mountains. The play was presented on the campus of UNCA and acted out by local artists. As the play progressed, Doreyl Ammons Cain spontaneously illustrated a 32 foot long mural colorfully showing the lives of these women.
“The Spirit of Appalachia” played throughout the spring , summer and fall of 1998. We had standing room only and standing ovations for our salute to the common folks of our mountain communities. 
A Christmas story for the whole family, Catch the Spirit of Appalachia presented this play for three years at Christmastime. Based on a childhood story written by Amy Ammons Garza, the play was performed by local community adults and children. 
