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

2023 performances have concluded. Join us next year, starting March 26, 2024! 

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, written by Richard Hellesen and originally directed by Mark Ramont, 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. Our 2023 cast featured 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

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A side view of the stage and seating at Ford’s Theatre. On the left is the Presidential Box with an American flag, a framed picture of George Washington and American flag bunting draped over the box.
Photo © Maxwell MacKenzie.

Watch the Trailer

From The Gallery

Jonathan Atkinson and Joe Mallon in the 2023 Ford’s Theatre one-act production of One Destiny. Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

Jonathan Atkinson and Joe Mallon in the 2023 Ford’s Theatre one-act production of One Destiny. Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

Jonathan Atkinson and Joe Mallon in the 2023 Ford’s Theatre one-act production of One Destiny. Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

Jonathan Atkinson in the 2023 Ford’s Theatre one-act production of One Destiny. Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

Jonathan Atkinson and Joe Mallon in the 2023 Ford’s Theatre one-act production of One Destiny. Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

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.

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