Consider for a moment that you were marching in Montgomery during the
Civil Rights Movement. Or, feeling the ground beneath your feet as you
desperately made your escape for freedom. What would you do? Before you
answer, we invite you to walk in the shoes of a little girl trying to
integrate a high school…sit at the feet of Sojourner Truth and learn
from her wisdom…feel the fervent heartache of a mother burying her
son…live the alarming moments in the life of a runaway slave. Live these
moments with us!
We
would like to introduce two compelling presentations that will not only
educate audiences, but bring these historical events right to your
heart…right to your life. This is indeed a historical journey through
dramatic expression bringing life to historical events and figures.
Reflections of a Time Past
“Take a look at them trees…I imagine those trees would tell us a story
if they could talk…” If you love storytelling we encourage you to take a
ride with Big Mama as she travels with her grandchildren to their family
reunion. Sit under the big ol’ Oak tree and listen as she weaves stories
of historical events to teach her grandchildren the importance of the
past. Laugh as she shares her own experience with the Civil Rights
Movement. You’ll sing, rock and reminiscence over the spirituals that
carried a people through hard times. Watch Sojourner Truth rise to the
occasion as she delivers her poignant “Ain’t I a Woman” speech. Step
into the shoes of a teen named Elizabeth Eckford on her first day of
integrating a school. Experience the account of events surrounding the
death of Emmett Till as his mother, Mamie Till, tells her story.
Reflections of a Time Past is educational yet entertaining as Big
Mama transforms into these characters and brings them to life with this
inspiring and interactive show.
Who are some of the historical figures Alicia portrays in the
performance?
Sojourner Truth
was the self-given name of abolitionist, Isabella Baumfree. Truth was
born into slavery around 1797 and was one of thirteen children. After
her master reneged on his promise to free her, Sojourner escaped. Later,
she had a life changing religious experience and became a devout
Christian. Truth changed her name to Sojourner Truth because, “The
Spirit calls me, and I must go.” Sojourner traveled and preached about
abolition. She is most known for having the courage to speak up at a
Women’s Rights Convention where she delivered her famous Ain’t I a
Woman speech.
Elizabeth Eckford
made history as one of the students known as the Little Rock Nine. In
1957, she and other eight students were attempting to desegregate the
all-white Little Rock Central High School. On September 4, 1957, the
Little Rock Nine were supposed to go to the school together, but their
meeting place was changed the previous night. The Eckford family had no
phone to inform Elizabeth of the change in plans. That morning,
Elizabeth Eckford got off the bus for school and tried to enter the
campus. She alone was confronted by a mob of angry people who
threatened, screamed and followed her.
Emmett Till
was a Chicago teen who was brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955.
Emmett was visiting his family in the South. Depending on the
storyteller, Emmett was claimed to have whistled or cat-called to a
white woman. Roy Bryant, the woman’s husband, decided to go and “teach
that boy a lesson.” His murder was one of the key events that motivated
the American Civil Rights Movement. Emmett’s mother, Mamie Till, allowed
an open casket funeral to let the world see how her son had been
brutally killed.
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