Carmel Community Players Stages 'Men on Boats' with Female Ensemble

Director Samantha Kelly brings her own experience with the play to the local production.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:33pm

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A minimalist, abstract illustration featuring jagged, geometric shapes in shades of blue, green, and white, conceptually representing a river expedition without any literal depictions of people or boats.An unconventional theatrical production reimagines a historic river expedition through an all-female ensemble cast.Carmel Today

Carmel Community Players is presenting the play 'Men on Boats' from April 17 to 26 at The Cat theater. The play features an all-female cast portraying the male characters from the 1869 geographic expedition led by Major John Wesley Powell down the Green and Colorado rivers. Director Samantha Kelly has prior experience performing in the play, and the production aims to offer a fresh perspective on history by highlighting the stories of marginalized groups.

Why it matters

By casting women in traditionally male roles, 'Men on Boats' challenges the historical narrative that has often been written by and centered around white men. The play provides an opportunity for the local community to engage with an unconventional take on an important expedition, sparking discussions about representation and the retelling of history.

The details

The Carmel Community Players production of 'Men on Boats' features several local actors taking on the male roles, including Noblesville resident Barb Weaver as Major John Wesley Powell and Indianapolis resident Ozzie Buttler as Frank Goodman. The actors have had to adapt to aspects like portraying a character who lost an arm in the Civil War and mastering British accents. Director Samantha Kelly, a 2015 North Central High School graduate, is bringing her own prior experience performing in the play to this local staging, which she describes as 'very, very funny' while also touching on serious themes of historical erasure.

  • The Carmel Community Players production of 'Men on Boats' runs from April 17 to 26, 2026.
  • Opening night is April 17, 2026.

The players

Samantha Kelly

The director of the Carmel Community Players production of 'Men on Boats,' who previously performed in the play while a student at Albion College in Michigan.

Barb Weaver

A Noblesville resident who plays the role of Major John Wesley Powell, the leader of the 1869 expedition down the Green and Colorado rivers.

Ozzie Buttler

A Herron High School senior from Indianapolis who plays the role of Frank Goodman in the Carmel Community Players production.

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What they’re saying

“It was fun to have a different take on history and not have a bunch of dudes.”

— Samantha Kelly, Director

“I was interested in how we were going to play the river scenes. I've never seen a production, but I did look on YouTube to see clips of how others have done it. I liked the fact it was based on history, a real expedition. It's fun to read through the script and find out how much is actually new.”

— Barb Weaver, Actress playing Major John Wesley Powell

“For me, the biggest challenge is the (British) accent. It's the first show I've done with an accent. It's an adjustment, but I've learned how to do it and I'm practicing. That's the biggest challenge besides the physical scenes with the boats.”

— Ozzie Buttler, Actress playing Frank Goodman

What’s next

Carmel Community Players will host opening night for 'Men on Boats' on April 17, 2026, kicking off the 10-day run of the production at The Cat theater.

The takeaway

By reimagining a historical expedition through an all-female cast, the Carmel Community Players production of 'Men on Boats' offers a fresh perspective that challenges traditional narratives and provides an opportunity for the local community to engage with underrepresented stories.