(Cleveland)–A new play, Cheever, by author and playwright Emory Jones, depicts one day in the life of folk potter, Cheever Meaders. Cheever was a colorful North Georgia character and influential force in the world of pottery and politics. He and his wife, Arie, share their wit, humor and history in an imaginary visit with pottery expert, Dr. John Burrison.
“In real life, Dr. Burrison never met Cheever Meaders,” says Jones. “But he’s always said that not knowing Cheever was the biggest regret of his life. So, with his consent, I’ve used the world of theater to make a one-day visit between the two of them happen.”
Dr. Burrison later worked closely with Cheever’s wife, Arie, and his son, Lanier, and was ultimately responsible for their work being displayed in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. He also wrote two books about folk pottery called, Brothers in Clay and From Mud to Jug.
The play takes place in 1967, two weeks before Cheever died on that Thanksgiving morning. “I used the conversations between Cheever, Arie and Dr. Burrison as a way to tell the many stories I heard on my grandfather’s lap as a child,” says Jones. “The play captures a lot of the history and music of North Georgia’s past.”
Cheever is directed by Kathy Blandin, Associate Professor of Theatre at Piedmont College. Bill Gabelhausen, Theater Department Chair at Piedmont College plays Cheever. Linda Erbele plays Arie Meaders, and Piedmont Alum Tyler Dale plays a young Dr. Burrison. Trevor Butler and Savana Owensby play a young Cheever and his sister, Johnnie Mae. Camila Meaders is played by Jessie Owensby.
The play premieres at the Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center theatre in Sautee on August 2 nd and runs with eight performances until August 15th .
To order play tickets, visit www.snca.org or call 706-878-3300.
