Shepherdstown Opera House co-owner Harriet Pearson, left, introduces two members from the cast of "Bleeding Kansas" at the monthly town council meeting in Town Hall on May 14. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN – “Bleeding Kansas,” the first production of the Town Run Theater Company at the Shepherdstown Opera House, kicked off the first weekend of its two-weekend-long run last Friday.

This historical drama will be performed for its final weekend, this Friday through Sunday.

The play, “Bleeding Kansas,” takes place in 1855-1856 in the Kansas territory, where George and Kitty Clarke have set out to start a new life as farmers. In 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed settlers in the new territory of Kansas to vote to determine if the new state would be slave or free. As voter fraud turned into political violence, the threat of bloodshed became all too real, even to those who wanted no part of the issue.

Led by artistic director Joe Yates, the Town Run Theater Company includes a diverse group of actors including assistant artistic director Emily Wanger, formerly the artistic director of the Shepherdstown School of Dance; Homer Speaker; Richard Yates; and, making her theatrical debut, Sarah Ward.

Yates himself brings over 30 years’ experience in the local artistic community, as an actor, director and producer – most recently, to sellout audiences in productions of “The Rivalry” and “The Anvil – The Trial of John Brown.” He considers “Bleeding Kansas” to be the third in this series of historical dramas, with a message that is relevant today.

“Bleeding Kansas asks the question, what will you do when conflict is at your door? As Americans in 2025, it’s a question we all need to take a hard look at,” Yates said.

All performances are at 7 p.m., except for Sundays, which will be held at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 advance purchase or $25 at the door. Discounted pricing is available for seniors and students.

The Friday night showing will be followed by a post-show conversation with Professor Jen Murray, the new director of the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War.

Seating is limited in the Shepherdstown Opera House, so advance purchase is encouraged. Tickets and additional information available at www.operahouselive.com.