The Iron Range has a unique history. Its past, present, and future all wrapped into a new play called Full Range: The Iron Range Project.

Mixed Blood Theatre Company out of Minneapolis put this on back in June.

It was full of references that people on the Range can appreciate. That‘s because the cast and crew had major input. And playwright Alison Carey also spent 18 months interviewing people across the Range, to truly understand the culture.

A grant from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation supported the production.

Seraphia Gravelle started out volunteering and helping spread the word, but then ended up working on the costumes

“They included us in helping develop the script. And it really became something beautiful,” she added.

She’s the co-executive director of VEMA, Voices for Ethnic and Multicultural Awareness. VEMA gets a mention in the play too.

The goal was to inspire new action and opportunity, and increasing the sense of purpose and place.

Artistic Director Mark Valdez shared this story. “One day, one of the people told us they’d been thinking about leaving because they hadn’t felt a sense of community before. Now I have all of these friends, and I feel like I belong here, and that I’m connected.”

The Touchstone Celebration is tonight at 6:30pm right here on WDIO.