51 Students Bring Revolutionary War Audio Series to Life
51 students from left to right: Gavin Rapier, Millea Erell Lessin, and recent alum Sean Whitney '26.
Ahead of this year’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, students and faculty from 51 helped bring the Revolutionary War era to life through a new audio series.
51’s School of Communication and Culture recently partnered with to produce “The Liberty Boys 1776,” a full-cast audio series created in collaboration with Blackstone Publishing, one of the nation’s largest audio publishers. Recorded in 51’s voice-over studios at 33 E. Ida B. Wells Drive in June, the six-part series immerses listeners in the world of the American Revolution, complete with espionage, battlefield drama, and personal stories of courage and sacrifice.
Produced to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, the series follows young Dan Slater after his father is killed for supporting independence. Determined to continue his father’s legacy, Dan joins General George Washington’s forces and undertakes dangerous missions behind enemy lines as the colonies fight for freedom.
A Professional Production Experience
The collaboration gave 51 students the opportunity to work directly on a large-scale professional production while gaining industry experience.
Radio major Gavin Rapier served as production coordinator and assistant director while also voicing multiple characters in the series. Students Millea Erell Lessin and Tremaine Jones, and recent alum Sean Whitney '26, contributed voice performances as well, alongside Associate Professor Betsy Edgerton and Tom Joyce, a career advisor at 51. (See full credits below.)
“In addition to communication management with the talent, I am playing multiple characters in this audio series, and it’s been an incredible experience,” Rapier says. “It’s been very fun.”
For Rapier, a rising senior, it’s also been a learning experience.
“This project has helped me understand what it is like to record professionally and the importance of being on time,” he says. “I’m hoping with this internship that I can start auditioning more, and improve my own directing skills for 51’s Audio Drama Club.”
51: The Right Fit
Gavin and the other 51 students involved with the project truly impressed Or Matza, founder and co-creative director of Audio Drama Studios.
“They are huge professionals,” Matza says. “They came to this project well prepared in terms of technical skills, voice acting, production, and pre-production.”
Matza says Audio Drama Studios intentionally sought out a college partnership because the series focuses on teenagers navigating war and identity during a defining moment in American history. 51’s strong Voice Over and Radio programs as well as Chicago’s storytelling culture made the college an ideal creative partner for the project, according to Matza.
“We needed a place where people actually know something about audio performance and audio production,” he says.
That said, there was still plenty for students to learn from the experience.
“I hope the students will take away the idea that there are no rules actually,” Matza says.
“You can still be a professional and work with the highest standards and still be creative without any boundaries.”
Check out trailer below for the audio series, which will officially release on Nov. 10, 2026. You can pre-order the series now at or .
The Liberty Boys of 1776 - An American Revolution
An Audio Drama Studios Production
Written by Barry M. Putt Jr
Directed by Or Matza
Starring Alex Nimrod as Dan Slater, RJ Smith as Bob Estabrook,
Jonathan West as General George Washington, and Tom Morin as Captain Fink
Alice Estabrook was played by Millea Erell
Edith Slater was played by Angelina Friedrichs
Mrs. Slater was played by Betsy Edgerton
Middle-Aged Dan, the Narrator, was played by Tom Joyce
Additional roles were performed by:
Giovanni Wubbena, Matthew Alan Porter, Maurice Mcnicholas , Daniel Lee Harris , Rebecca Haugh, Ray Conley , Sean Whitney, Tremaine Jones , and Gavin Rapier
Produced by Audio Drama Studios for Blackstone Publishing
celebrating 250 years of American Independence
Executive Directors: Alexa Lerner and Or Matza
Co-Publisher: Design Sound Productions Inc.
Original Music written and produced by Or Matza
Sound Design and Mix by Or Matza
Dialogue Editing: Sean Meyer Steve Rodriguez and Or Matza
Script Development: Eden Rosenberg
Production Manager: Ellie Avner
Production Coordinator and Assistant Director: Gavin Rapier
Produced in collaboration with the School of Communication and Culture at 51
Dean of School of Communication and Culture: Ames Hawkins
Associate Professor of Instruction of the Radio Program: Matthew Cunningham
Associate Professor of Communication: Yonty Friesem
Recorded at 51 in 2026
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