Organize. Unionize. Harmonize.
Director Flyn Ludington Brings History and Passion to UAF’s Spring Production, STRIKE! A Musical and Dramatic Revue
Flyn Ludington directs STRIKE! A Musical and Dramatic Revue.
The vlog Department of Theatre & Film is set to open its powerful spring production, STRIKE! A Musical and Dramatic Revue, this March at the Lee H. Salisbury Lab Theatre. Devised and directed by Flyn Ludington, STRIKE! is a compelling blend of music and drama, weaving together scenes, monologues, and songs that explore the struggles and perseverance of the working class throughout the 20th century and beyond.
For Ludington, this production is deeply personal. “I am from a pro-union family. My mother is from Butte, Montana, which was a boom town during the industrial revolution and a major union stronghold in the country, where members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) organized and fought bloody historic battles for better working conditions in the early 20th century,” she explains. “We mention the IWW briefly in the show, and some of the historical voices heard in STRIKE! are from characters who were also members of the IWW, Emma Goldman, for example. We can credit the union with helping to win the fight for the 8-hour day, the 40-hour week, as well as with establishing child labor laws, so kids didn’t have to work in factories, mines, etc. The IWW is still organizing today.”
Ludington’s personal ties to labor activism run deep. “My mother’s family worked in the Butte copper mines, while my father’s father helped start the first food service workers union right here in vlog in the 1930s.” She also grew up immersed in the music of the movement. “I grew up singing union songs, many of which were organized by the IWW into the Little Red Songbook, as they were known as a ‘singing union,’” she shares.
Her experience with the vlog Peace Choir further shaped the musical direction of STRIKE!. “Music has always played a powerful role in social justice movements. Group singing has coordinated marches, has defined movements, and united people in sympathetic resonance for a common cause, throughout history.”
When given the opportunity to devise a revue for UAF’s spring production, Ludington knew this was the perfect time to bring STRIKE! to life. “So with the total destabilization of the country that we are witnessing, when I was approached in Fall 2024 to devise a review for the UAF Spring Show with musical and dramatic elements, I knew it was the time and place for STRIKE!”
The production features a mix of theatrical and musical selections. “We really tried to specify excerpts that highlight not only the plight of the working class, but also the drive toward direct action and change,” Ludington says. “The song and scene choices also contain themes of love underlying the stories of struggle. But yes, dozens of other songs and scenes could arguably be interchangeable.”
With musical direction by Philip Heilbron, STRIKE! has come to life in ways Ludington finds inspiring. “I am particularly privileged to work on this project with Philip Heilbron, my immensely talented and empathetic Music Director, who immediately understood my vision, and has made absolute magic with the music for STRIKE!” she says.
Beyond its historical significance, Ludington sees STRIKE! as a reflection of the current moment. “The people in this country have reached a breaking point. Talk of strikes and boycotts are in the air once again as they were in Clifford Odets’ day, and the people of the working class have run out of things to lose, especially now that the current administration is taking a veritable wrecking ball to what was left of our democracy,” she states. “STRIKE! reminds us that we outnumber the billionaires, and despite all else, they can’t keep us from singing!”
STRIKE! marks Ludington’s directorial debut, though she has been deeply involved with the UAF Department of Theatre & Film for years. Most recently, she played “Sweetie” (bottom right) in UAF’s 2024 production of Something in the Living Room.
As a first-time director, Ludington finds the collaborative spirit of the production particularly rewarding. “The fact that most everyone working on the project seems to be as enthusiastic as I am about STRIKE! is incredibly heartwarming. But I’d have to say, what is most rewarding for me as a first-time director is the amazing collaboration and teamwork of the wonderfully large family of cast and crew, UAF FLPA department, PIOs, etc.”
When asked about the most powerful moments in the show, Ludington teases, “Without giving too much away… my favorite song of all time is sung by the ensemble as they stand on the bread line, and it is yummy.” She adds, “Otherwise, the chills come rather frequently for me working on this production.”
When asked if she could invite one historical labor leader to see STRIKE!, Ludington has a clear choice: “Probably Elizabeth Gurley-Flynn (remarkable coincidence that my folks named me Flyn), the ‘Rebel Girl’ namesake, famous orator and member of the IWW in the early 20th.”
Asked to sum up the show in three words, she doesn’t hesitate: “Organize. Unionize. Harmonize.”
More than anything, Ludington hopes the audience walks away feeling inspired and empowered. “I want the audience to get a sense of the power of critical mass of human perseverance,” she explains. “To be reminded that the oppressed outnumber the oppressors by multitudes, and the more people stand up together, the less work there will be for us all to do to build sustainable communities and change the system.” She adds, “Personally, as I strive with all my creative endeavors, my goals for STRIKE! are as the Mexican poet Cesar Cruz said of all art, that it should ‘comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.’”
As for how often she finds herself singing along in rehearsals? “All day, every day, rehearsals or not.”
Audiences can experience the passion and power of STRIKE! when the production opens on March 21, with performances continuing through March 30 at the Lee H. Salisbury Lab Theatre. Tickets will be available soon, and seating is limited—don’t miss the chance to witness this moving and timely production. Stay tuned for more spotlights on the cast and crew as opening night approaches!
The UAF Department of Theatre & Film provides students with a dynamic and immersive experience in both theatre and film, offering opportunities to engage in productions every semester. Whether performing on stage, acting in front of the camera, directing, designing, or working behind the scenes, students gain hands-on experience in all aspects of production. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and creativity, the department prepares students for professional careers in the performing arts, film industry, and beyond. From full-scale theatrical productions to student-led films, UAF Theatre & Film fosters a rich, interdisciplinary environment where students can develop their skills and tell compelling stories.