Trade With Klan by Donald E. Baker

Forrest, Indiana is a small town surrounded by corn fields. In the summer of 1925 it’s also ethnically White, predominantly Evangelical, and fertile ground for the Ku Klux Klan. Daniel Lenhart returns to his hometown after seminary college to find the Klan rooted in his community, and his brother putting a TWK sign in the window of the family business.

Inspired by true events, TRADE WITH KLAN reflects the collapse of the Indiana Klan, the largest Klan organization in the nation in 1925. At the time of its demise over half the elected members of the Indiana House and Senate, as well as the Governor, were members of the Klan. Membership unexpectedly soared to 500,000 in a few short years, then plummeted overnight to less than 4,000. A reminder of how quickly things can change when you aren’t questioning.

The playwright will be in attendance opening weekend with Q&A following each performance.

“If your relatives were White and Protestant and lived in Indiana in the 1920s, it is likely there are Klanspeople in your family tree.  There are in mine. Trade With Klan is set in a small town loosely based on the one I grew up in.”

Performances run from January 17th – February 2nd, each night at 8 pm and Sundays 4 pm.

PARKING IS FREE at the Santa Cruz Theater and in the adjacent parking lot. ARRIVE EARLY.

DOORS OPEN 30 mins before each performance. There is one intermission. Refreshments available.