“The Night Before Gettysburg” is a 1-man, 3-scene, 1-act play, in which Abraham Lincoln finishes writing the Gettysburg Address in his bedroom the night before the speech. In Scene 1, Lincoln speaks directly to the audience, explaining events that led to the Battle of Gettysburg. Scene 2 takes place in his bedroom as he finishes the speech. He is torn as he grapples with slavery, racism, war carnage, and the deaths of two of his children; here, he recounts the battle as told to him by General Meade. Scene 3 follows with Lincoln’s presentation of the Gettysburg Address.  

35-minute live performances are followed by an opportunity for Q&A.

He’s “torn asunder” as he works on the speech. Racism, slavery, war carnage and the deaths of two of his children tear at his soul. 

“The Night Before Gettysburg” takes you inside Abraham Lincoln, as he asks himself “What is slavery? Why is slavery? Why are men enslaved.” As he answers those questions, you see Lincoln the man, who he was, what he stood for and the burdens he carried.
–Chuck Johnson

61 Seminary Ridge
Valentine Hall, United Lutheran Seminary