Where We've Been
HARRIET’S RETURN: Based Upon the Legendary Life of Harriet Tubman, has had an interesting history. It may be the most re-written play ever—It’s a done deal now though.
Along with the variety of versions for adults and youths, there have been a number of fine actresses including Trazana Beverly, Debbie Allen, Denise Burse-Fernandez, Linda Gravatt, Leslie McCurdy, and Joy DeMichelle, and directors including Ricardo Khan, Kent Gash, Saundra McClain, and Clyde Harper, who have created outstanding signature productions of the play. The youth version is constantly produced, and some theaters including The Acting Company, Urban Stages, and Capitol Reparatory, have had four or five seasons of student presentations.
HARRIET’S RETURN began years ago as a project for the Afro-American Cultural Center in Charlotte NC. It has certainly grown since its then executive director, Shirley Farrar, asked me to develop historical characters for a Living Portrait Series. Out of her idea came well researched and dramatically designed extemporaneous performances highlighting the lives of Queen Nzinga, Phillis Wheatley, Lorraine Hansberry and Harriet Tubman, tailored for audiences of all ages and backgrounds from students, to traditional theater goers, to organization and corporate sponsored events.
HARRIET’S RETURN, now a full production, has many of its original elements and has been enhanced and cultivated by years of production and artistic and audience influence, especially from Ricardo Khan at Crossroads Theatre, and Michael McClain at Geffen Playhouse, who each wanted additions and sent me off to create what are known as the Selena and Pattyroller scenes,. and Jake Walker, director, and David Ode, designer--and all things else, whose artistry and dedication have made this production the absolute embodiment of what I envisioned and more. Thank you all!
WHERE WE'RE GOING
MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
8:00 p.m.
MCLA Church Street Center
Information: (413) 662.5185
www.mcla.edu/speakers
Free and Open to the public
Friday, February 17, 2012
PRIVATE PERFORMANCE, EXCERPT
KPMG LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
WHERE WE'VE BEEN
October 8, 2011, Richmond Virginia, 96th ANNUAL ASALH CONVENTION,THEME: AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE CIVIL WAR, THE ASSOCIATION for the STUDY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LIFE and HISTORY, Founders of Black History Month asalh.org
Luna Stage Company, West Orange, NJ, June 17-19, 2011, a combination Juneteenth and Father's Day Weekend Celebration. Check out their website www.lunastage.org
We performed in March, in honor of Harriet Tubman's passing date, and had an encore performance May 8th, Mother's Day, including a brunch, at BELMONT MANSION UNDERGROUND RAILROAD MUSEUM, Philadelphia, PA. You must go there! Audrey Johnson-Thornton and the American Women's Heritage Society have created an amazing tribute to all who participated on every level to the Underground Railroad's success. belmontmansion.org
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*Ethnic Studies Program, Davidson College
*N4th Street Theatre *Villa Di Loggia, Private Performance *Southeast Community Economic Alliance *Department of Culture and Education *NAACP & Urban League *Wheelock Family Theatre Alumni of Color Reunion, Wheelock College, Boston MA *Folk Life Festival *Friends of Virgin Islands National Park |
Madrid Theatre *Cultural Pursuits *Euphrates Gallery *Allen Temple Baptist Church, *Annual Georgia Sea Island Festival *30th Annual Harriet Tubman Pilgrimage, Harriet Tubman Home *Pistarkle Theatre *Sarah Lawrence College *Hawaii Chapter, Links, Inc. *Sponsoring producer |