Unto These Hills Backstage Tour and Drama in Cherokee

Unto These Hills Cast 2019 © Katrena

Unto These Hills is an outdoor drama featuring the history and seemingly insurmountable trials of the Cherokee people in North Carolina. My kids and I found the show last year to be educational, interesting, and memorable. We returned this year to check out the backstage tour and the Oconaluftee Indian Village in addition to the show.

Cherokee NC Outdoor Drama About The Trail of Tears © Katrena

This outdoor drama theater is located in western North Carolina in Cherokee just off Highway 19 at 218 Drama Road. Actors, dancers, and singers from all around the United States audition for an opportunity to participate in this iconic outdoor drama that has been running since June 1, 1950.

Lizzie Hull in Unto These Hills for 45 Years © Katrena

Some actors return year after year, including Lizzie Hull, depicting the Beloved Woman, who returned for her forty-fifth season in 2019.

Outdoor Amphitheater for Unto These Hills in Cherokee NC © Katrena

When we arrived, the weather forecast was questionable and the stage was covered with a tarp. The sand upon which the actors perform can feel very different under the feet of the dancers and actors if it is wet, and some areas of the set can become hazardous.

Seating for Unto These Hills © Katrena

Backstage Tour of Unto These Hills © Katrena

Those who had backstage passes could choose to do the tour either before the show or after the show. We opted for the tour before the show. The backstage tour guides were both actors in the play and offered interesting information that only people who were involved in the show could share. The stage extends onto the sides and one piece has to be manually pushed out for the audience to see several indoor scenes. Special lighting creates several illusions along the backdrop, and we had the opportunity to see where those lights originate and learn a little about the pyrotechnics used during the show.

Big Bertha Cannon in Unto These Hills © Katrena

We were escorted behind the scenes to see props carefully placed in various areas. Our guides spoke of specific education performers received before using firearms during the show's fight scenes and how they discharge the misfires after the show. One of the largest props is a cannon named Big Bertha. My youngest daughter quickly noticed the baby crib tucked away under a shelf.

Learning About Inner Workings of Cherokee Outdoor Drama © Katrena

Years ago, actors in the show had to project with their voices over the natural symphony of the crickets and cicadas. Now a microphone is provided for each speaking part, and we could see how each mic was organized and labeled backstage. In addition to seeing a few actors preparing for the show, we also had the opportunity to see several people involved in technical aspects of the show. Many challenges are associated with outdoor dramas in addition to the weather. For example, lighting has to be constantly tweaked as the show begins in daylight and ends under the stars.

Knife Prop for Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama © Katrena

Several actors play more than one part; dressing rooms are provided on both sides backstage for quick changes. One of our guides mentioned he had to age significantly in about two minutes between scenes, yet actors appear onstage without a hint of the organized chaos that goes on behind the scenes immediately before they emerge from the wings. Housing is provided for the actors on site. Folks who are involved in the show six days each week throughout the summer are certainly dedicated!

Many details of the set and theater might be overlooked, such as the design produced by the various colors of chairs in the audience. The tour guides offered a wealth of information and gave opportunities for us to ask questions. Two of my kids have been in local dramatic plays, so our family has been backstage for several productions. It was interesting to see how this large show compared to the smaller shows in our local theaters.

Staff Member Serving All Summer 2019 at Unto These Hills © Katrena

Many people in addition to the performers are involved in Unto These Hills. Staff members help to ensure that patrons find their seats. General admission is first come, first served and staff members will offer suggestions for seating if asked. As you can see from an earlier photo, the seating area is slanted so that everyone can see the show, even from upper seats.

Pre-Show Musical Entertainment for Unto These Hills © Katrena

Unto These Hills offers pre-show entertainment. This year, a group sang and played instruments. One person played a Jew's harp or mouth harp, which has a distinct sound and brought back my own memories of relatives who played that instrument. I tried once and got my tongue stuck in it. That was the end of my desire to play the Jew's harp!

Preparing Sand Stage for Unto These Hills © Katrena

The storm blew over with just a hint of drizzle, so several staff members quickly went to work removing the tarp and raking and pressing down the sand just before the start time. Sometimes shows may be cancelled due to thunderstorms, but we were fortunate as the lights dimmed and the action began.

Dancers in Unto These Hills © Katrena

Fight Scene with Cannon in Unto These Hills © Katrena

The show runs approximately two hours, and each scene was well timed and flowed well to the next scene. You can expect to see acting, dancing, singing, and fight scenes in this show. Our nation's history of interacting with those of Cherokee heritage is often quite shameful and disappointing. This show gives an overview of what the Cherokee people endured interspersed with snippets of humor.

Dancing with Fire in Unto These Hills © Katrena

Eagle and Dancers in Cherokee Outdoor Drama © Katrena

Costumes work well with the story, and the play does include several white people who tried to help these Native Americans in addition to ones who did not honor their word and those who tried to swindle many of Cherokee heritage.

Petitioning President Jackson © Katrena

President Harrison's Promise © Katrena

The drama does not go into all the ugly details, such as germ warfare in which the government issued blankets contaminated with smallpox to many indigenous people, but quick references were carefully woven into the story line. Unto These Hills has returned to the original script that has been modified to shorten the play from the original two hour and forty-five minute show.

Death of a Cherokee Woman © Katrena

Cruel Treatment of Native Americans in NC © Katrena

Death is depicted in several scenes. Seeing a snippet of history unfold in a drama can bring history lessons to a different level of understanding while giving one the opportunity to imagine the joys and pains experienced by ordinary people.

Trail of Tears Depicted in Unto These Hills © Katrena

Eternal Flame of Cherokee Nation © Katrena

This play shows events surrounding the Trail of Tears but also focuses on how the Cherokee people have chosen to stay strong and to continue to shine as a beacon of hope for their culture, just as they have preserved and stoked the embers of an eternal flame that was started in 1838 in Oklahoma.

Attempts to Protect Cherokee People in NC © Katrena

Thanks so much for reading my Travel NC With Kids blog!

Unto These Hills Dance Scene © Katrena

Visit Unto These Hills for more information about the drama, pricing information, directions, etc. Additional related stories you may wish to read include:

• Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama in Cherokee
• Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee - Learn About Native American Life
• Mingo Falls in Cherokee - It's Still Beautifully Majestic 40 Years Later!
• Oconaluftee Islands Park in Cherokee - Nice Free Park Downtown