A Muscogee Homecoming: Springer Opera House Unveils Powerful Stories of Resilience and Sovereignty – Updated Dates!

April at the Springer Opera House marks a significant homecoming, celebrating the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, the original inhabitants of this land. With the world premiere of “The Mvskoke Project” and the compelling one-woman show “On the Far End,” the Springer invites the community to witness stories of resilience, sovereignty, and the enduring spirit of a people whose legacy resonates in our very language.

Before European contact, the Muscogee (Creek) people thrived in the Southeast, their ancestors leaving behind vast tribal complexes along the Chattahoochee, Ocmulgee, Coosa, and Etowah rivers. Despite early U.S. government promises of protection, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 led to the tragic “Trail of Tears,” forcing 15,000 Muscogee people from their homelands to Oklahoma. Their legacy remains in place reminding us of their enduring presence. “We use their words every day,” says Paul Pierce, former Producing Artistic Director, “Chattahoochee, Cusseta, Coweta, Tallahassee, Talladega – yet we know little about where they came from.” This April, that is set to change.

The first production, commissioned by Muscogee playwright Eri Nox and directed by Tara Moses, “The Mvskoke Project,” centers on a Muscogee family gathering at matriarch Lahoma’s home. As she prepares to “pass over,” family tales unfold, weaving together ghosts, dreams, tricksters, and kinship. “This is not, come to the theater and take your medicine,” Pierce emphasizes. “These shows are far more interesting than that. I think if anything, audiences will walk away understanding that the Muscogee people are still living – and funny.”

Following “The Mvskoke Project,” Mary Kathryn Nagle’s one-woman show, “On the Far End,” from April 17 to 19, tells the story of Ella Jean Hill, a Muscogee leader and Indigenous rights activist, interwoven with her grandfather’s Trail of Tears journey. Nagle’s work extends beyond the stage. As Pierce explains, “She is an attorney who works, her specialty is tribal sovereignty and the protection of ancestral lands.” Her legal prowess was instrumental in the landmark 2020 McGirt v. Oklahoma Supreme Court case, which affirmed the Muscogee Nation’s sovereignty. Pierce adds, “Mary Kathryn Nagle is an astonishing storyteller, illustrating the Muscogee journey from sovereignty in Georgia and Alabama to Oklahoma.”

The play’s title itself is drawn from Justice Neil Gorsuch’s majority opinion, “On the far end of the Trail of Tears was a promise.” Adding to the significance of these performances, Nagle’s husband, Jonodev Chaudhuri, the Muscogee ambassador to the United States, will be present for the run of “On the Far End,” participating in post-show talkbacks.

The Springer Opera House, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office, VisitColumbusGA, and the Russell County Historical Commission, is hosting events to deepen community connection with the Muscogee Nation. Mayor Skip Henderson invites everyone to the Official Welcome Ceremony on April 3rd, emphasizing building enduring ties. Artistic Director Keith McCoy states, “We acknowledge that the land we live on was brutally taken from the Muscogee people. It is a blessing to hear their voices on Muscogee land once again.”

Paul Pierce’s insights from his time with the Muscogee Nation are invaluable. He emphasizes the importance of understanding their sovereignty and acknowledging the historical context of their removal. “This is a sovereign nation we’re talking about,” he states. “This place where we live is their home and it was stolen from them by fraud and deceit. I’m not sure what kind of action we should be taking with that knowledge but I’m positive that the answer isn’t nothing.”

The traditional spelling, “Mvskoke,” is used to honor their heritage, while “Muscogee” remains in common usage. When asked about the desired atmosphere for these events, Pierce emphasizes “a welcome” and a spirit of learning. “We’re here to listen, we’re here to learn. On the other hand, it’s not their responsibility to teach us. That’s not something we should expect from them to inform our ignorance. So, humility will go a long way, and just to let them know we want to know more, we’re eager to know more about this land that we live on.”

Pierce shares anecdotes from his visits to the Muscogee Nation, including witnessing the vibrant “stomp dance” and attending the “Living Legends” ceremony. He also recounts his experience at the Etowah Mounds, where he learned about the repatriation of artifacts and remains. “We are living in a time of repatriation,” he reflects, “This is a movement that’s happening not just in America, but it’s happening all over the world.”

Pierce powerfully articulates why these stories matter. “We may not be guilty of the removal of the Muscogee people from this land, but we have to admit that we’re beneficiaries of it.” He shares his own family’s history, tracing their connection to the 1827 Georgia Land Lottery and the Muscogee lands it distributed. “I left that experience with a different point of view about my place here in the Muscogee homelands.”

These events offer a unique opportunity to connect with the history and culture of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The celebration begins with the Official Welcome Ceremony at Columbus City Hall Courtyard (Broadway Entrance) on April 3rd at 10 a.m. Following that, attendees can join the Fort Mitchell Tour and Meet-and-Greet at 1:30 p.m. The day concludes with a Community Forum at Springer’s McClure Theatre at 4 p.m.

“The Mvskoke Project” will be performed in the Dorothy McClure Theatre (“The Dot”) on April 10th, 11th, and 12th at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee on April 13th at 2:30 p.m.

“On the Far End” will be performed in the McClure Theatre on April 17th, 18th, and 19th at 7:30 p.m.

More information on The Mvskoke Project and its associated events are available on the Springer’s website springeroperahouse.org. To avoid scams, purchase tickets directly from the Springer at boxoffice@springeroperahouse.org or by calling 706-327-3688.