Map of my Kingdom, a play commissioned by Practical Farmers of Iowa, tackles the critical issue of land transition. In the drama, Angela Martin, a lawyer and mediator in land transition disputes, shares stories of how farmers and landowners she has worked with over the years approached their land successions. Some families almost came to blows, struggling to resolve the sale or transfer of their land, and dissolving relationships. Others found peacefully rational solutions that focused not only on the viability of the family, but also of the land.
Today, a vast amount of land in the United States is owned by those over 65 years old. Some have made their wishes clear for the future of their property. Others are courting family upheaval by not planning in concrete ways. An age-old problem, evident in literature from the Bible to King Lear to Willa Cather, land transition asks hard questions: Who really owns the land? And what is the role of the steward of a property? Can “fair” become “unfair” to one’s children?
Map of my Kingdom will resonate with those who have been through or are working through challenging land transfer issues that include division of the land among siblings, to selling out to a neighbor, to attempts to preserve the land’s integrity against urban sprawl. The drama will inspire the hesitant and the fearful to start the conversation that cannot wait.
Map of my Kingdom will be performed by Twin Cities actor Maria Vorhis.
TICKET INFO:
Pre-Sale: $20.00
Ends February 27th at 5:00pm
At the Door: $25.00
WWCC Students with ID: FREE
All Other Students with ID: $10
“These stories are moving and engaging and remind us that we all share responsibility for the health of the land while we are here. Easy to mount, accessible and timely, Swander’s play is a catalyst to help audience members address issues of land transfer productively. This is art serving its purpose in a meaningful way.”
–Susan Wolverton, Professor of Theatre, Coe College
Presented by WWCC Campus Events & Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Sustainable Agriculture Systems with support from Vinea Sustainable Trust.
For more information contact Campus Events at 509.527.3668.