Battle of Homestead Foundation Presents Two Events Honoring the 125th Anniversary of the Homestead Strike of 1892

Two events inspired by the the historic 1892 Battle of Homestead bring world-acclaimed actor, activist, theater director, producer and playwright Mark Rylance back to Pittsburgh to share his passion for this pivotal incident in American history. An exclusive Meet and Greet with Mark Rylance will be held on Fri., June 30 at the Bost Building.

An Evening With Mark Rylance And Friends: Shakespeare & The Battle Of Homestead will be presented on Thurs., July 6 at The Carnegie Library Music Hall of Homestead.
The programs acknowledge the 125th Anniversary of the Battle of Homestead, when thousands of locked-out steelworkers and townspeople clashed with Pinkerton guards hired by Henry Clay Frick and Andrew Carnegie on July 6, 1892.

Rylance calls it "a story worthy of Shakespeare."

"I came to Pittsburgh in 2003 looking for a new play worthy of Shakespeare's Globe Theater," says Rylance, "I discovered a story worthy of this globe (planet Earth) we hope to continue living on. It has obsessed me ever since."

Rylance and co-writer Peter Reder are working on a multi-part play about this battle.
The Meet & Greet with Rylance as guest of honor, features light fare, drinks, and music led by local musician Jason Kendall on Fri., June 30 at the historic Bost Building (the 1892 workers' union headquarters), 623 East Ave., Munhall, PA 15120.

Rylance will meet guests, who can tour the steelmaking exhibits and artifacts at the Bost. Silent Auction and ticket revenues go to the non-profit Battle of Homestead Foundation, to continue to preserve and share this dramatic history with future generations and bring interested visitors to this area. Tickets at $150 are on sale online at: battleofhomestead.org.

An Evening with Mark Rylance and Friends: Shakespeare & The Battle of Homestead will be held on Thurs., July 6 at the Carnegie Library Music Hall of Homestead, 510 East Ave., Munhall, PA 15120.

Rylance will perform some of his favorite speeches from Shakespeare. He will also join with his co-writer Peter Reder, local actors and musicians to remember and revisit resonant words, characters, songs and situations from the years leading up to 1892. Tickets proceeds benefit the Battle of Homestead Foundation. Tickets are at $25 - $50 are on sale at ticketfly.com or www.librarymusichall.com.

These Battle of Homestead Foundation events are part of a yearlong series of lectures, films, plays, education initiatives and musical offerings to honor the Homestead clash and related history. They are funded in part by The Waterfront, The Rivers of Steel Heritage Area, and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

About Mark Rylance

Mark Rylance was artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe in London, 1995-2005. He first came to Pittsburgh in 1990, playing Hamlet for The Public Theater and returned again in 2003 to perform Twelfth Night. He has played on Broadway and become more widely known for his roles in films such as Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies and The BFG. He is currently working on Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, scheduled for release July 21. His television work includes the BBC miniseries "Wolf Hall" that aired on PBS in America. He has written two original plays and was recently created a Knight Bachelor in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to the theater. He is a committed activist for a number of environmental and human rights causes.