January 26, 2011 Dear Friends, Last summer, I began working with Brian Grubbs at the Springfield-Greene County Library District (SGCL) to bring attention to the digital collection, “Community in Conflict: the Impact of the Civil War on the Ozarks,” (www.ozarkscivilwar.org) and to promote the upcoming commemoration of the 150 year anniversary of the Civil War’s commencement. I wrote a short play entitled Beloved Exile, based on the memoir of Louisa Cheairs McKenney Sheppard, and staged readings were presented at the OTC Fine Arts Gallery, as well as a support-raiser for the Wilson’s Creek Memorial Foundation. Since then, Beloved Exile has been in demand. I have been commissioned to expand the work into a collection of dramatic snapshots of life in the Ozarks during the Civil War, and to present staged readings of these plays as part of the SGCL Big Read community event this April. The Missouri Literary Festival would also like to commission the work for presentation this fall. And this is only the beginning. I am working with other local playwrights to contribute plays in preparation for the upcoming sesquicentennial. In the end, I envision full productions of these plays in our area theatres, and a published collection. Oddly, dramas about the Civil War are scarce. This endeavor will put Springfield, MO on the map as a leader in the development of original dramatic works about the lives of Americans affected by the Civil War. For the past five years, I have become actively involved in the Mid America Theatre Conference Playwriting Symposium as an actor, director, co-chair, and chair. This peer-reviewed, juried conference has been essential to my professional development as a theatre artist and educator. I have submitted Beloved Exile, and it was accepted to be presented at the conference. This is an especially significant opportunity because the conference is in March, and so the feedback that I will receive from my professional and academic peers will help me further develop my play before it is presented again in April. In the past, I have received funding from my institution, Ozarks Technical Community College, but this year due to budget cuts, I must seek funding elsewhere. I need your help. I estimate the cost of my trip to MATC to be $1000. This will cover airfare, food and lodging, and my conference registration fee. I would greatly appreciate if you would pledge your support to me in the form of a monetary donation. I will gladly accept your kind donation in the form of • Cash, check, money order, or paypal (If you request it, I will send a paperback copy of Beloved Exile and Judas Kiss for any donation over $25.00!) • A receipt for my registration (http://www.wiu.edu/matc/?page_id=127) • An airline ticket from Springfield, MO to Minneapolis, MN (departing after 3:00pm on 3/3/11 and returning afternoon on 3/6/11 • A paid hotel reservation (preferably at the Hyatt Regency where the conference will take place) for the nights of March 3-5 **At the time of this writing, priceline.com has airfare and lodging at the Hyatt Regency for $549** You can also help by purchasing a copy of Beloved Exile and Judas Kiss. I will receive $10 for every book sold. Just visit the website below. http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/beloved-exile-and-judas-kiss/10098273 My contact info is: Jon Herbert 1439 S. Pickwick Ave. Springfield, MO 65804 (417) 827-1005 herbertj@otc.edu Please do not hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions. I thank you for considering partnering with me in this project. Yours Truly, Jon Herbert (417) 827-1005 herbertj@otc.edu