The Many Lives of Carl Sandburg

What began as a volunteer docent role at the Carl Sandburg Home in 2019 evolved into an unexpected creative odyssey for John Quinley. Following the publication of his book, Discovering Carl Sandburg, John began crafting a series of informal letters that eventually laid the foundation for his reader’s theater production, The Many Lives of Carl Sandburg. After a successful debut at Carolina Village before an audience of 200, the project reached a pivotal turning point through a partnership with Karen Moore. A seasoned actor, director, and playwright, Karen’s vision and creativity shaped the Sandburg Players and brought the production fully to life. Her influence even touched the script itself; inspired by Karen’s belief that a great play should make an audience think, laugh, and cry, John added a moving tribute to Sandburg’s final moments. We are honored to host John as he shares the soulful evolution of this project—from simple letters to a living theatrical work.

On Saturday, April 18th, The Friends of Carl Sandburg come to Highland Lake Cove to perform The Many Lives of Carl Sandburg at our beautiful indoor performance space, The Sanctuary in the Pines. Just a short walk through the garden from Treska's, join us for an unforgettable afternoon honoring a Flat Rock hero and a national champion for nature, civil rights, and the arts. Experience the soulful and hilarious production of The Many Lives of Carl Sandburg—a play that will make you think, laugh, and celebrate the legacy of a true American icon. Seating is limited, so please RSVP below to save your spot!