Heritage descendant working to produce Cross and Sword

Crystal Solana Bryan reported to Historic City News that she has formed a not-for-profit company, Floridanos Historical Performances, Inc., to bring back to St Augustine the production of Florida’s Official State Play; Cross and Sword.

Although Crystal does not live in St Augustine, she told local reporters that she loves her ancestral home and serves as president of Los Floridanos Society, Inc.; Florida’s First Spanish Families, 1565-1763.

“One of my earliest memories of St. Augustine includes seeing Cross and Sword with my grandparents and my grandmother whispering in my ear that those were our ancestors we were watching,” Bryan told Historic City News editor, Michael Gold. “I’m a ballet and theater professional, have worked in outdoor drama, and have a personal connection to the story, my own family is descended from the settlers of the First Spanish Period, the Floridanos.”

Crystal said that she asked around about a production of the play which debuted to audiences in the St Augustine Amphitheatre for the city’s 400th anniversary in 1965, but was told no one wanted to take on that project for the 450th Commemoration next year.

Bryan told Gold that she thought about it a very short time, and was encouraged to find that there was plenty of community interest in seeing the play done, so long as she was willing to take the initiative. “The community has been clamoring for an outlet to participate in the 450th,” Crystal said. “I hope to make this a local effort, by and for St Augustine.”

Crystal also said she realizes that if Cross and Sword is to make its return in time for next fall, she can’t do it alone. She is looking forward to working with the many people that it will take to make it possible. She reported that she already has the start of a board of directors and the beginning of an artistic production team — but she is still looking for a treasurer and fundraiser to join the effort.

“I hope to produce a full 10-week run, closing on Founder’s Day, Tuesday September 8; if we can overcome all the challenges inherent in bringing back a beloved show without the home that was built for it,” Bryan said, referring to the fact that the Amphitheatre would not be available. “I realize a 10-week run is a huge undertaking in that time frame; however, I have several scaled down plans in place as contingencies.”

Bryan said she expects to apply for tax exempt status as a charitable organization under chapter 501(c)3 once she receives her paperwork back from Tallahassee. She will keep Historic City News informed about her progress at producing the official state play, Cross and Sword, in time for the 450th Commemoration.