Survivors of the Fire is a moving, meaningful, and at times surprisingly joyful new theatrical experience commemorating the 130th Anniversary of the Great Hinckley Fire: featuring traditional music of the era, harrowing first-hand accounts of the survivors, and poignant tributes to those who perished. It’s a celebration of life— its joys and sorrows— and a heartening reminder that those we hold dear are never lost.
Conceived and written by Hinckley native, Jeremiah Gamble, directed by Jeff Miller, and featuring a talented cast of Minnesota musicians and storytellers, this piece retells some of the Great Hinckley Fire stories that are traditionally in the foreground, while also highlighting some of the less-emphasized narratives— particularly that of a young Ojibwe heroine named Makadegwan and the courageous actions of the Black Porter, John Wesley Blair.