Melissia-Dawn Hopson

Mitch Vance as "The Narrator", 2021 After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 season, The Aracoma Story Inc. debuted its new historical drama, Coal , in 2021—the 100th anniversary of the miners’ march on Blair Mountain. While audiences who attended loved it, many in the community were still cautious about returning to public events and hadn’t yet seen the production. Recognizing this, TAS decided to give Coal the proper re-debut it deserves in 2023. Directed and written by board member Joyce Robertson, the production brings Appalachian coal-mining history to life in a way that’s engaging, relatable, and unforgettable. Coal is a heartwarming two-act drama inspired by true events, delving into the lives of coal miners and their families during a pivotal era. The story follows Laurel Coleman, a coal miner’s daughter, whose world is forever changed when she encounters amysterious stranger amid the intensifying fight for workers’ rights. Audiences will conn...

If you grew up in a coal town, or have family who did, you know that life in a coal camp wasn’t just hard work. It was community, struggle, dreams, and stories passed from one generation to the next. The historical drama Coal , written by Joyce Robertson and produced by The Aracoma Story Inc., brings these moments to life with accuracy, heart, and a respect for the lived experience of Appalachian miners and their families. Here are ten ways the play gets it right. 1.  The Weight of Illiteracy Coal captures the essence of the King Coal era by highlighting the burdens carried by its characters. Audiences will resonate with John Mahone's illiteracy, a stark reminder of how vulnerable individuals were to exploitation during that time. In a time when reading and education were gateways to empowerment, John finds himself at the mercy of powerful coal companies who take advantage of his inability to decipher their complex contracts and agreements. As the story unfolds, we learn that John...