Pageant Plays All Three Nights

Light Crew for the pageant included Alton and Chase Chamberlain, Stewart Shumway

“Lights, Camera, Action” sounds a lot easier than it sometimes is.  Just ask the Voices of San Juan Pageant directors.  With rain storms peppering the Four Corners most of the day on July 27, all involved considered it a major miracle that opening night wasn’t rained out, as had been the dress rehearsal the night before. 

     With no full rehearsal, prior to opening night, some cast members, as well as light technicians had to hustle to find the “right spot.” Nevertheless, the show went on, no one got stuck in the mud, and a clear sky welcomed those who came.

     Several major adjustments were made before the second night’s performance: Grandfather’s bed scene was added, burned out bulbs replaced, slides brightened up, and music rearranged.  Despite some cast health problems, and Ike Chamberlain’s head wound…the show went on brilliantly both Thursday and Friday nights.  Thursday’s crowd was thrilled to have Stan Bronson as one of the entertainers in the pre-show; however,  there was a good variety of local talent showcased all three nights Thanks to Allison Christensen's energy and organization.

Congratulations to Alyn Mitchell, Debbie Christiansen, Charlotta Lacy, Joann Barlow, Gen Ford, and Shauna Black for organizing so well, and to the large cast. You did a great job to make Voices of San Juan heard, seen, and felt by all.

The Trading Post was new this year, built by Tri-Hust Construction.  The Omaha Tepee in the background, and Stripling Warriors spears were also new additions to the story.

Directors Alyn Mitchell and Debbie Christiansen

Gathering time at the pageant and final instructions

The Christiansens ready to go

Down time for Kit Carson, prior to his scene

Pre-Pageant Multicultural Performances

Allen and Leoni Hunt Sing of their experiences in the Islands

Kaleb Finlinson does a warrior song from Tonga

Malia and her shakin' Tahaiti dance

Kia and Sander do a Hawaiian Dance

Wanda Ketchum and Niece, Naataanii and Nizhoni Lacy perform "Go My Son"

Voices of San Juan Pageant -- July 27-28-29, 2011

   If you’re planning a trip to the Four Corners this summer, be sure to add  Voices of San Juan Pageant to your calendar.  


The Blanding, Utah pageant has been produced for over ten years, and will be performed  July 27, 28, and 29 in a beautiful outdoor setting 7 miles north of Blanding on  Hwy 191 (turn east).  The pre-show begins at 8:30 PM.  There is no charge for the program, and there is ample parking. 

      The pageant began as a grass roots historical-religious production sponsored by The Children of Lehi organization and choir which was formed in 1998.  Staged in the gorgeous red rock country of San Juan County, Utah the pageant is a depiction of the need to break down stereotypes and racial and cultural barriers between all peoples.  The basic theme and underlying message of the pageant is about tolerance for all people.

      Visionaries Ike Chamberlain, Steve Lovell, and Alon Pugh masterminded the original production and script.   Initially the story of Luke Hathale and his Beliganna Mormon friend was first performed at Dry Wash Reservoir.  Later it moved to the Nations of the Four Corners amphitheater, and most recently to the Charlie Sipes’ LDS church property just north of Blanding.

   A few years ago both Blanding stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints added their support to the local effort.  The script was expanded and radically changed to include more local history as well as a piece on the Navajo Code Talkers.  The expanded use of technology added more sophisticated lighting and a beautiful, professional soundtrack recording.   

            "We feel like this area has a tale to tell, as wonderful as any other pageant around," stated Alyn Mitchell, one of the pageant directors, "and we invite everyone to join us in July 27-29, 2011 for this amazing production.” Bring jackets and blankets if desired.

Site, Sound, and Scenic Setting ready for Pageant

One of the rustic scenes in the pageant

There are three kinds of people in the world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who don’t even know anything has happened. 


 Unfortunately, there are many people in San Juan County who don’t know Voices of San Juan has been happening for over 10 years.  But next week is your chance to change that and at least become a watcher!  If you want to become a doer, contact pageant co-director Debbie Christiansen 678-3340 immediately as more angels, Long Walkers, and warriors are needed.

Voices of San Juan Pageant runs Wed.-Friday, July 27-29.  Seating is available for about 300 people each night, but there is plenty of additional room if you prefer to bring your own comfy chairs.  A jacket or blanket may be advisable, as this is a dramatic nighttime outdoor production.  Two big busses will transport those who don’t want to drive at night. The site is 7 miles north of Blanding (on Hwy 191), then 1 mile east.  Meet at the North LDS Chapel parking lot on 200 N. 200 E at 7 PM each night for a no-charge ride.  There is, however, ample parking, for those who drive.   There will also be shuttle wagons at the parking area to deliver you to your seats if walking is a problem.  Reverse valet service with a country twist!

Pre-show entertainment will begin at dusk with cultural performances including dance, singing, and music.   The pageant begins at dark, as both movie clips and lights are central to the production.  The lights themselves have an interesting history as they were first used at the Manti Pageant for years.  But when it was upgraded to an “approved Church Pageant,” Ike Chamberlain who knew the Manti director, became the recipient of their old lights.  Stewart Shumway will run the lights this year and Taylor Lyman will run the sound system.  


Tri-Hurst Lumber is building a Trading Post for one of the new scenes, and the staging will also be changed from former years.  Chamberlain emphasized that this pageant, is basically a Native American story which is central to the Four Corners area.  “It is a story of understanding, change, growth, and the impact of the gospel of Jesus Christ in people’s lives.”

Though the script and actors are the backbone of the show, a great deal of behind the scenes work has been going on for months.  Revision and recording of the script was orchestrated by Alyn Mitchell and Shauna Black. Some things were taken out, and new sections about the Navajo Code Talkers, and the “Stripling Warriors” have been added.  

Cast Members Announced

Some of the new cast members of this year’s pageant include the following: (* indicates first year performer) *Shawn Begay as Luke Hatathle; *Kristina Begay as Sarah Hatathle; *Wanda Ketchum as Grandmother; Deryl Jack as Angel Moroni; Dustin Felstead as Joseph Smith, Jr.; Robert Turk as Kit Carson ; Richard Eldredge as Alma Jones; Taj Eldridge as Albert R. Lyman; Stella Jones as Westwater Woman;  *Steve Jensen as Lt. Colonel Jones; Dane Lyman as Jens Nielson; Andrea Nielson as Elsie Nielson; Bodell Nielson as Bodell Mortensen; *Brigham Nielson as Niels Nielson ; *Clayton Long as King Lamoni; *Suzie Bayles as Abish; *Martin Pulito as Ammon; *Kol Conway as Captain Helaman; Aldean Ketchum as *Chief Big Elk / Jim Mike. 


Garth Wilson as Brigham Young  & *President George Bush. Raylene Jones as Westwater Girl; Teri Card as Woman customer; Michael Jensen as Michael; Lane Palmer as Long Walk Soldier; Max Morley as Long Walk Soldier; Chuck Harrison as Old Man; Celeste Dayish as Navajo Woman; Marcus Conway as Lamoni's Body Guard; Wanda Ketchum as Grandmother.


Joshua Lacy as Luke's son; Jadan Lacy as Luke's son; Christian Sherrow as Lamoni's Servant; Michael Hawkins as Missionary; Kervin Brown as Missionary; Leanne Parker as Queen; Kendra Parker as Queen's Advisor; Casey Singer--Navajo Code Talker John Brown, young; Kyle Johnson as Pioneer Man (Angel 1); Sydnee Felstead as Escort Angel; Delton and Debbie Pugh as Handcart Family; Dan Nakai as Old Luke; Jay Sherrow as Old Michael; Clarke Family, Ketchum Family, Dayish Family --Long Walk Participants

Eagle Scout Projects Improves Seating

Ike Chamberlain one of the originators of the pageant talks to his grandson, Chase, about his Eagle Scout Project

Anticipating the need for better seating, Eagle Scout candidates Chase Chamberlain, Chase and Dylan Richmond and Ammon Mitchell began four separate Eagle projects at the pageant site.  Some were started the Fall of ‘09, others began this spring.  Each of Eagle candidate was responsible for building and graveling two rows of terraced seating. 
The four scouts secured help from 20-30 additional scouts.  


The Boy Scouts marked and leveled the ground on each row.  Sam Pugh shown here, supervising  Chase & Dylan Richmond.











The Scouts next prepared the soil, aligning the row along the markers.  Shown here are Cole Einerson, Logan Meyer, Kyle Marian, Devin Lyman, Bobby Bowring, Dylan Richmond.

Scouts learned about "grunt work" as they leveled out hard packed dirt.  Shown on the left: Javen Ivins, ?, Cole Einerson, Logan Meyer, Ashton Jones, Chase Richmond

Ammon Mitchell worked with other scouts setting Rail Road ties into place, then securing them with sturdy pegs.

Finally the terracing was in place and scouts began hauling gravel in by wheelbarrow the full length of each row, packing it down for the seating area.  On the right: – Bobby Bowring, Skylar Perkins, Chase Richmond, Dylan Richmond, Javen Ivins, Cole Einerson

 

Aaron Mitchell and French Exchange Student, Tim Pluchet, help on the terracing project. 

Approximately 2000 “boy-power” hours went into the project which was finally finished July 2011.

Chase Richmond and his completed two rows in the seating terrace.

Eight terraced rows completed this summer by four Blanding  Eagle Scout candidates and their friends.

Pageant Site History

The location of the pageant has an interesting history itself, as part of the property was owned by Charlie Sipe, who was Blanding’s first police officer in the 1940’s, but before that career he and his wife homesteaded in the site area and farmed for seven years.  Evidence of fences, rock walls, equipment, and even iris beds are still there near the pageant site.  


Sipes eventually sold the property to the Blanding LDS Seventies Quorum who used the land to raise wheat to support the missionary program in the 1940’s and it was used as a welfare farm for over 30 years.  When Blanding was part of the Monticello Stake the Sipe’s cabin was torn down.  Today the site is “part of 1600 acres owned by the Blanding LDS Stake, with the Welfare department holding the deed,“ stated Chamberlain.  “We hope it gets changed to the “Recreation” department, as matches better what we hope to develop here.” 

Voices of San Juan Pageant  includes dozens of visionary plans that are coming to pass at Charlie’s Homestead. 

Production Committee for 2011 Pageant

The Movers and Shakers for Voices of San Juan include Alyn Mitchell, Director 435- 678-3003 and Production Shauna Black 435-678-3130.  Alyn has been a part of the pageant effort for over 5 years, and Shauna helps with the technology and digital creation that moves the pageant. 

  Other pageant committee members include  Charlotta Lacy, Genevieve Ford, and Joann Barlow.  They have been responsible for costumes, casting, and publicity.

Charley Sipes Property Site of Pageant

Looking east across the "stage" of Voices of San Juan. 

Though the pageant has expanded since these photos were taken, it will give you a general understanding of the beautiful setting for Voices of San Juan.

 Looking west across the natural stage 

Casting Call for 2011 Pageant

   A casting call, and production prod is being issued for Voices of San Juan, a local pageant which will be performed the last weekend in July 2011.  If interested meet Tuesday at the LDS Stake Center between 7-9 PM on April 19 or call Alyn Mitchell 678-3003 or Shauna Black 678-3130. 

  Other pageant committee members include  Charlotta Lacy, Genevieve Ford, and Joann Barlow.  They invite anyone with a desire to help, to come on the 19^th and “let us know what you are willing to do.”    

    At least 100 people are needed to help with the production.  Voices and actors are needed for re-enactments, and other volunteers are needed to help with site preparation, set up, props, lights, costumes and technical support.  Pre-show performers are also needed.

     “Community service always looks good on a resume, application to college or  Sterling Scholar portfolios,” emphasized Mitchell, “and we can use youth as well as adults in this effort.”

   For those unfamiliar with Voices of San Juan, the pageant is a grass roots historical-religious production sponsored by The Children of Lehi organization and choir which was formed in 1998.  Staged in the gorgeous red rock country of San Juan County, the pageant is a depiction of the need to break down stereotypes and racial and cultural barriers between all peoples.  The basic theme and underlying message of the pageant is about tolerance for all people.

      Visionaries Ike Chamberlain, Steve Lovell, and Alon Pugh masterminded the original production and script.   Initially the story of Luke Hathale and his Beliganna Mormon friend was first performed at Dry Wash Reservoir.

.

     Later it moved to the Nations of the Four Corners amphitheater, and most recently to the Charlie Sipes’ LDS church property.  A few years ago both stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints added their support; the script was expanded and radically changed to include local history (including a piece on the Navajo Code Talkers); as well as adding more sophisticated lighting and beautiful, professional soundtrack recordings.   

            "We feel like this area has a tale to tell, as wonderful as any other pageant and area around," Mitchell stated, "and we are out to make it happen."  "It takes a community to make a pageant like this evolve into what we have envisioned," Mitchell further said, "and we invite anyone from our local communities (Monticello, Blanding, Bluff, etc.) to come and join us in making it into the amazing production we know it will become.  So, don't miss out on this opportunity to be a part of something truly special."