Rebels on Lake Erie
“A Pirate… A Prison… A Plot…”
By Julie A Cajigas
“A Pirate… A Prison… A Plot…” and not just any pirate either, a college-educated one! Those three words are the tagline for Rebels on Lake Erie, a documentary that chronicles John Yates Beall’s ultimately failed attempts to liberate Confederate prisoners being held on Johnson’s Island, near Sandusky, Ohio. What could be cooler than a Civil War documentary with a pirate and an attempted prison break that took place right here in Northeast Ohio? How about a free world premiere event where you can screen the documentary, meet some costumed re-enacters and eat oatmeal cookies in the heart of oatmeal country – Akron’s Quaker Square? Nothing, of course!
If that sounds like a fun evening, you’re in luck. Rebels on Lake Erie will have its world premiere screening Thu 4/19 (that’s tomorrow if you’re reading our 4/18 edition), at 6:30 PM in Ballroom B at the Quaker Square Inn, 135 S Broadway St., Akron. Guests will be greeted by fully costumed re-enactors, screen the documentary, have the chance to hear from a panel of filmmakers and Civil War experts, and enjoy a free reception. The event is free and open to the public. Free parking is also available.
One of the best parts about attending this world premiere screening is the chance to meet the woman behind Rebels on Lake Erie. The documentary was written, directed and produced by Kathleen Endres, Ph.D., a Distinguished Professor in the School of Communication at The University of Akron.
Check out Cool Cleveland’s exclusive video with University of Akron Professor Kathleen Endres, the writer, director and producer of Rebels on Lake Erie HERE.
Dr. Endres will be available throughout the evening, and will moderate a panel discussion featuring Lesley Gordon, professor of history, The University of Akron, and editor of “Civil War History”; Sara Hume, curator of Kent State University Fashion Museum’s display, “Fashion in the Civil War”; and Ted Dudra, member of the 29th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) Living History Association. If you stop to talk with her, she will undoubtedly share the secrets of Lake Erie’s Pirate culture, and perhaps a few nuggets about other fascinating local history. A beloved Professor, she helps students and community members delve into the fascinating elements of the world around them. Rebels on Lake Erie is, in some ways, the result of her teaching acumen.
It all started, as many things do for academics, in class. One of Dr. Endres’ magazine writing students brought in a peculiar publication for an assignment. “I have to thank a young woman who was a student in my magazine article writing class,” says Endres. “As an assignment, I asked them to take a look at a magazine they normally wouldn’t read, and she found a pirate magazine. I jokingly said, wouldn’t it be funny if there was a pirate on Lake Erie? And guess what, there was,” she says. “That’s in a very real sense how the story came about, so I think Leigh Ann very much for suggesting that there was a pirate on Lake Erie.”
Inspired by the idea, Endres learned about Pirate John Yates Beall, a college-educated plantation owner who originally served under general Stonewall Jackson. Well known for his pirate exploits, Beall attempted to rescue the Confederate officers held prisoner on Johnson’s Island – and we don’t want to spoil the documentary for you – but apparently with limited success. Still, Endres found the story compelling. Three years in the making, she is proud to celebrate the release of Rebels on Lake Erie. According to the documentary’s website, “The documentary was filmed on location – at the Johnson’s Island prisoner-of-war-depot archaeological dig; in Sandusky, Ohio, and on Governor’s Island in New York City harbor. It features photographs, maps and illustrations from libraries and archives from across the nation and Canada.”
And all you music buffs, take note. One of the most interesting parts of the documentary is the soundtrack. Endres was passionate about using historically accurate music from the Civil War period. “Chuck Keiper, who is a local folk singer and composer sang “The Prisoner’s Lament,” which was actually composed by prisoners on Johnson’s Island,” she says. Endres thinks it might be the first time the song has ever been broadcast, or if not the first time ever, the first time in a very long time. The other music on the soundtrack was recorded using the original arrangements written during the Civil War time period.
For more information about the documentary and all of the wonderful local filmmakers, illustrators, voice actors and experts who participated, visit http://rebelsonlakeerie.com. Whether you’re a fan of pirates, prison dramas, Civil War re-enactments, local stories, documentaries or filmmaking in general, Rebels on Lake Erie is a must-see!
If you can’t see Rebels on Lake Erie Live, the documentary will also be broadcast on Western Reserve Public Media Channels 45 & 49 at 10 PM on Mon 4/23 and 7 PM on Sun 4/29. For more information about the broadcast, visit the Broadcast Dates.
Rebels on Lake Erie has its world premiere at 6:30 PM on Thu 4/19 in Ballroom B at the Quaker Square Inn, 135 S Broadway St. Akron. For more information and directions, visit http://RebelsOnLakeErie.com. For other updates and stories, visit the Rebels on Lake Erie Blog. The documentary will also be broadcast at 10 PM on Mon 4/23 and at 7 PM on Sun 4/29 on Western Reserve Public Media Channels 45 & 49, for more info on the broadcast, view the Broadcast Page. Learn more about the University of Akron School of Communication at their website, or follow them on Twitter.
Julie Cajigas is a Cleveland girl who grew up on the East & West Side and now lives near Akron – she’s got the whole town covered. Cajigas holds Bachelors Degrees in Communication and Music, along with a Masters in Applied Communication Theory and Methodology from Cleveland State University, and currently serves as a visiting lecturer in the The University of Akron’s School of Communication.
University of Akron, Akron, OH 44308