Liberty Mountain: The Revolutionary Drama opens for its eighth season this Friday, September 15 at the Joy Performance Theatre in downtown Kings Mountain.

The play shares the personal trials many families faced during the period of the Battle of Kings Mountain in the South during Cornwallis' Southern Campaign.

When the Herald visited with Bob Inman and Jim Champion last week, Bob shared a significant fact about the victory at Kings Mountain. "When the battle was won, it swayed people to the patriot cause, helping them recruit more participants. The victory turned the tide in favor of the patriot cause and swayed public sentiment," he said.

Nobody wants to back a losing cause, especially against the British, one of the most powerful and technologically advanced militaries in Europe and the world. To do so could mean the loss of everything a family had worked so hard to achieve or the loss of the family altogether. Many settlers were unwilling to take that risk by fighting until people saw that it was possible to defeat the British. The Battle of Kings Mountain gave them that hope.

The battle took place eight miles south of Kings Mountain and is the pivotal historical event for which the city took its name. Many descendants of this battle remain in the community and embrace that history in name and spirit.

When asked about this season, Jim Champion said, "I am hopeful for this year." And Bob quickly pointed out that a sophisticated marketing effort is underway under Jim's supervision. "Thanks to our sponsors, we have funds for a robust marketing plan utilizing geotargeted marketing." Geotargeting creates more relevant, targeted promotions to engage consumers.

"In addition, Albemarle is a new sponsor," Jim adds. "Thanks to them, every fourth grader in Cleveland County received tickets for them and a parent. Every fourth grader in Cleveland County can see the play this year, around 1,400 students. That is huge."

"Moving to the Fall allowed us to do a school drive. This year, three schools from Gaston, Cleveland, and Cherokee Counties will join us for three school-day performances.

That accounts for another 750 students who will see the play," Jim said. "The sponsorship from Albemarle helped us accomplish our goal for an educational component with the play."

"The Patrick family is our Founding Sponsor, and they support us in all ways, and we are very thankful for their support." Another key sponsor this year is the City of Kings Mountain Tourism and Development Authority.

"This year, we have included the Catawba Indians into the play, as well. Because many lived in this area and traded with the settlers," Bob added. "We have done the research and cannot prove that the Catawba Indians participated in the battle. But we do know that they interacted with the settlers and would have traded with them. They are also very much a part of this story."

When asked about the cast, Bob said, "We have 26 cast members this year, and they are the most experienced theater cast, top to bottom, that we have had so far. They know what they are doing, hit their marks, and do a wonderful job."

In addition to the play, Jim has lots going on with the theater. And moving to the Fall put an increased workload on the Liberty Mountain committees. "I think it will be a rewarding season for us, and we will accomplish what we set out to do: Educate, entertain, and have a great show."

The theater remains under renovation, so Jim asks patrons to "excuse our dust." They will have the facility ready for the performance, but due to supply and demand issues, new doors will not be installed until after the season.

Performances are on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, September 15,16,17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, October 1, 6, and 8. Performance Times: Friday: 7:30 p.m., Saturday: 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., and Sunday: 3:00 p.m. Joy Performance Theater is located at 202 S. Railroad Ave. Kings Mtn., NC 28086.