Actors playing Harry Ford and Harry Hawk wear 1860s costumes including top hats. They stand in front of the Ford’s Theatre Presidential Box.
Photo of Jonathan Atkinson and Joe Mallon by Carolina Dulcey. Background photo by Gary Erskine.

One Destiny

A one-act play about the Lincoln assassination at Ford’s Theatre.

duration 40 minutes with no intermission.
rating Recommended for ages 8 and older.
accessibility Accessible

Performances resume March 28, 2023

Learn about President Lincoln’s assassination from two men who were there. Actor Harry Hawk and Ford’s Theatre co-owner Harry Ford revisit the events of April 14, 1865. As they reconstruct the sequence of events, they grapple with the question: Could John Wilkes Booth have been stopped?

This 40-minute performance explores the key facts of the assassination while capturing the emotions of that fateful night. The production also has been featured in local schools and at the White House.

In-person performances of One Destiny will be offered Tuesdays-Saturdays beginning March 28, as part of historic site entries at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Our 2023 cast will feature Jonathan Atkinson and Joe Mallon.

On Demand recorded performance now available

Ford’s Theatre presents One Destiny: On Demand, available to stream from your home or your classroom, now through the end of 2023. Learn more about how to reserve tickets to view the recorded version of this Ford’s Theatre tradition, featuring Michael Bunce and Stephen F. Schmidt.

On Demand

Writer

Richard Hellesen

Director

Mark Ramont

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Watch the Trailer

From The Gallery

Actors playing Harry Hawk and Harry Ford wear 1860s costumes and mourning arm bands. They stand smiling and clap at someone not pictured in the distance. Behind them is the flag-draped Presidential Box at Ford’s Theatre.

Stephen F. Schmidt and Michael Bunce in the Ford’s Theatre one-act One Destiny. Photo by Gary Erskine.

Actor playing Harry Ford stands with one leg on large wooden trunk, talking to actor playing Harry Hawk who is seated on trunk looking pensive. Both wear 1860s costumes and mourning arm bands.

Stephen F. Schmidt and Michael Bunce in the Ford’s Theatre one-act One Destiny. Photo by Gary Erskine.

Actor playing Harry Ford holds a hat, dressed in 1860s costume and wears a mourning arm band. He stands in front of a projected drawing of an eagle.

Stephen F. Schmidt and Michael Bunce in One Destiny at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by Mark Ramont.

Actor playing Harry Ford sits on large wooden trunk holding a paper script of a play. The actor playing Harry Hawk stands on the right pointing to something on the script. Both wear 1860s costumes and mourning arm bands.

Stephen F. Schmidt and Michael Bunce in the Ford’s Theatre one-act play One Destiny. Photo by Gary Erskine.

An actor sits in 1860s costume on a large travel trunk. Standing in front is an actor waving his gray top hat in the air in a salute.

Stephen F. Schmidt and Michael Bunce in One Destiny at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by Mark Ramont.

Actors playing John. T. Ford and Harry Hawk, in 1860s costume, stand and shake hands.

Stephen F. Schmidt and Michael Bunce in One Destiny at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by Mark Ramont.

Actors playing Harry Ford and Harry Hawk, in 1860s costume, face each other in conversation.

Stephen F. Schmidt and Michael Bunce in One Destiny at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by Mark Ramont.

Actors playing Harry Ford and Harry Hawk, in 1860s costume, stand, facing to the right and clap.

Stephen F. Schmidt and Michael Bunce in One Destiny at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by Mark Ramont.

Actor playing Harry Ford sits on large wooden trunk holding a paper script of a play. The actor playing Harry Hawk stands on the right pointing to something on the script. Both wear 1860s costumes and mourning arm bands.

Stephen F. Schmidt and Michael Bunce in the Ford’s Theatre one-act play One Destiny. Photo by Gary Erskine.

Teaching Resources

Use these resources to enhance your student’s experience.

Reviews

"Powerful performance, definitely recommend this experience as an introduction to visiting @fordstheatre #FordsDestiny"
– @bluelikechagall
"Even more than the museum, we enjoyed a one act play, 'One Destiny,' where actors who portrayed the co-owner of the theater and an actor of the theater at the time, discuss whether they could have changed the course of history. It was an interesting view of events surrounding the assassination of A
– Fae G., TripAdvisor
"One Destiny has levity but it also beautifully captures the pain that Booth caused so many, outside of just Lincoln. #FordsDestiny"
– Twitter User @beccagrawl
"Again @fordstheatre does an incredible respectful awaking of history. Highly recommend you include One Destiny in your DCtrip #FordsDestiny"
– Twitter User @DarrenMilligan