For the past four years, Carter County’s Angie Sheek and her daughters, Victoria Brinkley, Miranda Sheek, and Julia-Karnan Sheek have all played a part in Liberty! at Sycamore Shoals State Park.

And for the last two years, Sheek has brought to life Nacy Ward, the Beloved Woman, a character that Sheek has grown to have a lot of respect for.

“She was just a phenomenal woman,” said Sheek. “I was like that is such a cool part, because she is revered in history.”

In the late 1700s, Ward, a Cherokee, used her influence to help foster peace between Watauga settlers and the Cherokee. Ward would warn the settlers of attacks led by her cousin, Dragging Canoe. Her help would allow settlers to defend themselves in a fort that has been recreated at Sycamore Shoal State Park and plays the back drop for the Liberty!.

“The Natives were a matriarchal society, so she had a lot of say in what the community would do,” said Sheek. “The scenes you see her in where she doesn’t sign the treaty, it was because the settlers had a different form of government that was all about the men. But if you notice, they are all acquiescing to her. They are all asking her opinion and what to say. And if you notice, when they are signing the treaty, they are looking at her, and she nods because she plays a pivotal part.

“She was a fighter, but she also knew the importance of negotiation and working together,” Sheek added.

With the roles of women changing in today’s society, Sheek said she sees a lot of similarities between what Ward faced in her time and what women face today.

“When her husband died, she had to figure out how to make it in a society that was ever changing,” said Sheek. “So I think there is a lot to be said for the changing roles of women today. So a lot of the things that she went through was not only in her community but in the country that was changing around her, and we see that a lot today. Where do women fall? It has swung both ways. We have been on the bottom and on the top. But as individuals, you have to find your place in the community that you live, and I think that is a challenge for all women.”

Sheek first saw the play while attending ETSU where she was completing a graduate program.

“I had never even heard of it,” said Sheek.

She would later take her daughters to see the drama, and it was during that time that they decided they wanted to play a part.

“My middle daughter said, ‘I would like to be in this. ‘ And of course the older and younger one said, ‘Me too!’ We have done it for four years now,”’ said Sheek.

Sheek and her daughters were at first walk-ons playing the part of settlers and Native Americans before getting speaking parts later on.

This year, Sheek is in the drama with daughters Miranda, 15, and Julia-Karnan. Her oldest daughter, Victoria Brinkley, now lives in North Carolina and was in the play for two years. Being in the production together has been great, said Sheek.

“You bond through friendships that you make through being on the cast together,” said Sheek. “So even if you are not on the stage at the same time, it works really well. There are not as many kids this year, but the kids that are involved have been doing it for several years. The cast is like one big family, and it is great to be a part of it.”

Sheek teaches at both ETSU and Northeast Tennessee Community College. When she is not teaching or in the drama, she runs Sheek Treats, which makes and sells dog treats.

The 2017 run of Liberty! saw an opening night with a crowd of over 200 people, reflecting how well the drama has gone so far this season. This year’s production has a new script, and for the first time has two directors leading the show.

There will be a showing Saturday night and showings next week Thursday through Saturday. Showtime is at 7:30 p.m. Box office opens at 6 p.m.