A new and original staged reading from Melanin in partnership with Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church exploring numerous facets of African American history. Featuring a new one-act,Freedom’s Dream by Caruso Brown, speeches and writings from civil rights leaders such as Septima Clark, Ella Baker, and Cornell West, poetry of Maya Angelou, and stirring Negro spirituals, it is a unique theatrical celebration for Black History Month ... ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES: February 1st at PVCC and 17th at Mt. Zion.

PART ONE will feature Freedom’s Dream written by Mt. Zion’s Caruso Brown, directed by Hannah Vidaver. Freedom’s Dream is the tale of a group of slaves making their way on the underground railroad who find their position has been given away to slave hunters.

PART TWO is a compilation of speeches and/or writings from civil rights leaders including Septima Clark, Ella Baker, Michael Eric Dyson and Cornel West; laced together by the poetry of Maya Angelou and accentuated by stirring Negro spirituals. Directed by Caruso Brown.

The piece culminates with the audience and cast joining together to sing of the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” (words by James Weldon Johnson, music by John Rosamond Johnson).

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES

Community MLK Celebration, University of Virginia
Main Stage of the V. Earl Dickinson Building
Piedmont Virginia Community College
February 1, 7:30pm
Free
Talkback to follow
with support from the Black Student Alliance at PVCC & Masquers Club

Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church
105 Lankford Avenue, Charlottesville
February 17, 4:00pm
Free


If you have any questions, or would like more information about Melanin and how you can get involved, please contact us at melanin@livearts.org.

MELANIN . COMMUNITY THEATER ... IN COLOR
Established in 2011, Melanin is dedicated to exploring works of African American theater and enriching other works through an African American perspective. Breaking the Chains is part of Melanin's COLORING THE BOX Series, where new and original work takes center stage.

Melanin is part of Live Arts THE FOUNDRY . the place to dare

CAST
Poppa Joe / Michael Dyson ...... ANTHONY AMOS
Samuel ...... REGGIE ANDERSON
Lucinda / Maya Angelou ...... LAVETTA BARLOW
Rosa Parks ...... CLAUDINE BROWN
Hannah ...... ZYAHNA BRYANT
Priscilla ...... DANESHA COX
Marion King ...... HOLLY EDWARDS
Dorothy Cotton ...... KELLY FINN
Ned ...... EMMETT FORTUNE
Stokley Carmichael ...... QUINTON HARRELL
Ruben ...... TAMARIUS HOWARD
Diane Nash ...... SARAH JEFFREY
Martin Luther King ...... DAVID KALERGIS
Mariah / Ella Baker ...... MIA LOGAN
Aggie / Septima Clark ...... JOVAN RICHARDS
Lillian Smith ...... GERI SCHIRMER
Isaac / Cornell West ...... ROBERT TULL

PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer ...... LESLIE M. BASKFIELD
Director ...... HANNAH VIDAVER
Director ...... CARUSO BROWN
Stage Manager ...... DELORES BROCK

Photos coming soon! Check our Photo Archive for galleries from past productions.

Trailer coming soon! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to be the first to know when new videos arrive!

There are always opportunities to help build sets, work on costumes, locate and fabricate props, and all the other sundry things that go into making each show spectacular. Drop by Tuesdays from 6pm – 10pm or Saturday from 10am – 2pm and we’ll put you to work! Can’t make it those days? Contact Tracie Skipper at 434-977-4177x107 or email tracie@livearts.org for specific volunteer opportunities.