If you’re in Eastern North Carolina near Beaufort County, you won’t need to travel far to begin your summer by enjoying outdoor drama at its best in Bath.

Ormond Amphitheatre, located at 3536 N.C. Highway 92 East, is the venue for an inspiring production called “The Promised Land.” Now in its eighth season, the 90-minute performance begins at 8:30 with showings on Friday and Saturday, June 21 and 22.

Pre-show activities and demonstrations begin at 7 p.m. and concessions will be available from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Admission is free and Spanish interpretation is available.

Written and produced by Judy Downey of Bath, “The Promised Land” is presented by Walk in the Light Productions, Inc. in cooperation with the Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kinston.  As a member of the nationwide Institute of outdoor dramas, it attracts cast members and audience members from Virginia and as far away as Illinois and Utah. It is funded in part by the Washington Tourism Development Authority.

“The Promised Land” is a captivating story of early North Carolina patriots during the Colonial period. It is an epic tale of a North Carolina family whose search for freedom spans generations and miles, from fighting in the Revolutionary War to traveling across America in pursuit of religious freedom. It captures the hearts of those who see it, not only because of the passion of the story but because of the passion of the cast of over 100.  This year, one family of participants will be descendants of Brigham Young, a character in the show.

The performers, all volunteer, keep returning year after year because of the passion they feel for this production. They begin on Monday for a grueling week of rehearsals, some camping for a week outdoors, living with insects, suffering long rehearsals in the heat of the summer sun and rehearsing sometimes as late as 2 a.m.

The theater provides ample bench seating. The audience is welcome to bring pillows to sit on or purchase one from concessions.

For more information go to the website,  www.PromisedLandPageant.com.