“In Pursuit of Justice: The Life of Ida B. Wells”

Utilizing period costumes and other such artifacts actress Janice Jenkin's one-woman play dramatically engages the audience in the life struggle of Ida B. Wells as she stands alone in the early 1900’s as a fearless anti-lynching crusader, suffragist, women's rights advocate, journalist, and speaker. (Appropriate for grades 6 and above).

“John Brown: Trumpet of Freedom”

Norman Marshall’s one-man drama portrays the legendary Abolitionist and 30 other Civil War period characters. It employs an historically accurate narrative, relying largely on John Brown's own words. Norman Marshall is an accomplished actor of over three-hundred productions of plays, films, television and radio programs. (Appropriate for grades 7 and above).

Mamadou Dahoué and the Ancestral Messengers Dance Company:

The Company consists of professional masked dancers and master drummers from the Ivory Coast and dancers of the African Diaspora. The show includes traditional mask dances which embody the history and aspirations of African society. Along with drumming, vocals and other musical instruments, the mask dancers take center stage and breathe life into the ancient African traditions of spreading unity, respect, and love! (Appropriate for all grades).

“Absence!”

Puppeteer William Abbott of Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park uses puppetry and pantomime to tell stories based on African-American History. The Marionettes sing and dance and answer the question:What would the world be like without Black people? (Appropriate for grades k-5).

"Freedom Trail Memories: The Life of Harriet Tubman"

Mrs. Pauline Copes-Johnson, The Great Grand Niece of Harriet Tubman (Conductor of the Underground Railroad), provides lecture demonstration on the life of Harriet Tubman. Through the use of historical documents, artifacts and slides Mrs. Copes-Johnson tells a heroic story of love and commitment! The show also features a dramatic vignette on the life of Ms. Tubman. Q&A after show. (Appropriate for all ages). Available 2//8-12/2010

"The Classic Blues Women:
A Historical Tribute"

This show highlights the works and lives of African-American female blues singers from the 1920’s to the early 1930’s- known as the Classic Blues Era. In this one-woman show, actress and singer, Ms. Bereather Reddy uses costumes and artifacts to perform and dramatize the great songs of legendary blues women Mamie Smith, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, Ida Cox, Lucille Bogan, Victoria Spivey and Sippie Wallace. The show through the blending of song and drama depicts the lives of these women as they broke through the color line and introduced African-American music to the world. (Appropriate for grades 8 and above).