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VIRGINIA — Onstage at the Rock Ridge Performing Arts Center, the set for a play depicted the interior of a house that seemed to have its own climbing wall. Another wall of the onstage house was striated with horizontal layers that evoked a cross-section of mineral deposits. "Pops has converted his house into a mine," explained Mark Valdez about a character in the play.

"During the layoffs, he decided if he can't go to the mines, he'll bring the mines to his house." Valdez is director of the play "Full Range," which is about the Iron Range community's relationship to mining — but also about much more. The play opens Thursday, June 20, at Rock Ridge and runs through June 30.



"This play shows that things are definitely changing on the Iron Range," said Ronnie Raeford, a cast member. "There's a lot more diversity coming up here, and there's a lot of opportunity here, if people think out of the box a little bit and break the stereotypes." Raeford, a wildland firefighter and tree professional, hadn't acted onstage since he was a tween.

When he stopped by a rehearsal, accompanying a friend, he was recruited to join the cast. Raeford was initially hesitant, he said, but then his curiosity won out. ADVERTISEMENT "It's really been a good thing to be a part of," Raeford said while sitting backstage Friday.

"I'm excited about it." "Full Range" is produced by Mixed Blood Theatre, a company based in Minneapolis. It's the first in a planned series of annual productions created in Greate.

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