Since 1938, Robert Nail’s Fort Griffin Fandangle has delighted audiences with a historical memoir of the settlement of Shackelford County, particularly around the Fort Griffin military outpost. This musical recreates historical events faced by those early pioneers.
Actors portray people that would have been encountered on the streets of the wild, frontier town of Fort Griffin. Yet, there are other actors whose parts are often overlooked, but are just as critical to the performance. These are the “critters” that lived on the frontier prairie long before the arrival of the white man. In the performance, these animals are played by young children from the community, carrying on a very long local tradition.
Lots of photography documentation can be found of the characters from the play in full costume, but not many photographs show the actors dressed up as animals. However, one such photograph can be found in the Robert E. Nail, Jr. Archives at the OJAC. This moment, forever captured, shows seventeen children dressed as a variety of local fauna, such as deer, roadrunners, buffalo, hawks, skunks, rabbits, opossum, squirrels, armadillos, and raccoons. These represent only a handful of animals that have graced the stage of the Fandangle. This background talent is important to give the right atmosphere to life on the frontier.
Currently on display at the OJAC is Michael O’Brien’s exhibit, Prairieland Portraits. Among the photographs of Fandangle costumed actors are three “critters” including a raccoon, a prairie dog and an eagle. Nail’s foresight to include these background actors to his play not only made it well-rounded and more authentic, but has provided countless children with memories of participating in their community’s gift to the world, the Fort Griffin Fandangle!
Join us on Saturday, June 25 from 12-3 as the OJAC host the Fandangle Family Festival - Critter Corral. During this celebration of these animals, there will be crafts, activities, and food - all free to the public. Hope to see you there!
Jewellee Kuenstler, THC&P Coordinator
