Below is the character sketch I wrote based on my part in my upcoming show, The Great American Western, which opens June 21st at the Randall Theatre:
My name is Carrie Nation, but my father
named me Carry Moore, as written in the family Bible. I was born on
November 25 in the year of our Lord 1846, in the back country of
Kentucky. My father's name was George and he owned a plantation. He
held slaves of which I was reared. For example, I wasn't allowed to
eat with my family until I came of age, because “children are meant
to be seen and not heard”. My mother, Mary, suffered with “mental
problems” and thought at times that she was a lady-in-waiting to
the queen of England and then the Queen of England.
I have taught as a teacher but was
fired from the position thus experiencing financial hardship. So, I
married Charles Gloyd, a doctor. My parents objected and I didn't
know why, until upon living with him found that he was a severe
alcoholic. I left him because he was unable to to provide for the
family. Together, we have a daughter, Charlien. Even though I
believe children should be seen and not heard, I have a bit more
hardship with her because she has emotional difficulties, similar to
that of my mother's, caused by her father's alcoholism. For this
reason, I have had to commit her to the Texas State Lunatic Asylum.
At that time, they also tried to commit me for reasons that are not
clear. Furthermore, I have decided my mission in life is to save
people from the wreckage caused by alcohol abuse both emotionally and
physically. This is God's calling upon my life and I will accomplish
this feat by any means necessary.
Due to financial hardship and societal
pressures, I have had to remarry Dr. David A. Nation. He is 19 years
my senior, but in marriage I have found financial security which
affords me the luxury to fulfill God's purpose for my life. He has
worked as an attorney, a minister, and a newspaper editor. Our first
endeavor, based on my husband's interest, was to purchase a cotton
farm. This failed due to my husband's lack of experience (and my
lack of interest) in farming.
We now live in Dirtwater where my
husband is the preacher in Disciples of Christ church. I have
started the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). I am the
president and I have helped many women, including Garmaine, Maggie,
and Sioux, out of the depravity of unhealthy lifestyles focusing on
men and negative substances. My hope and prayer is that the rest of
Dirtwater would turn from their sinful ways. In my spare time, I
also volunteer as a jail evangelist and try to reform the inmates,
teach Sunday School, and attend to the poor and needy.
The truth is, I have my own demons and
driving spirits to contend with, based on past familial neglect and
heartaches. When I first arrived in Dirtwater, I founded the
temperance union and am determined to get my point across, my point
is THE WAY, the ONLY WAY to living the RIGHT LIFE. However, as I
push my views around and insist, quite loudly and at times violently,
on others, I know deep down my heart is not well. By the time, I am
arrested and jailed (for unjustified reasons, I might add), I find
deliverance from my own controlling behaviors, in fact realize that
such as alcohol is a force that controls some, so do am I addicted to
the power of controlling others. In reality, I discover that I lack
all control, which scares me more, which increases my desire to
appear more and more in control. After Dallas, I realize that by
relinquishing control, I not only feel a lot more at peace, but have
a better way of reaching people with a message of love, not hate, and
transforming their lives to freedom through forming meaningful
relationships. This is what I have found now in the place I am in
eternity. Saving someone doesn't require control, but allowing
yourself to love them where they are at non-judgementally. I show
that love at the end by buying the child, Fester, who himself has
been delivered, in a sense, a football team. In short, from my time
in the outer world, I have found that love is the most valuable gift
we are given and can give to others.
I, Carrie Nation, (not Lia Weston)
agree to be portrayed in this play in the fashion that I am because I
feel that in my life on earth I went about spreading my message with
hate and therefore was unsuccessful in my endeavors. I feel that by
having myself made into a caricature, the true message of
transformation and journey to wholeness will be shown, not just in
those I want to reach but in my life.
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