[NEohioPAL]THE FIGHT AGAINST SLAVERY - A World Premiere at Actors' Summit

Mon Jan 6 17:36:04 PST 2003

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For Immediate Release
For additional information contact: 
Neil Thackaberry 330-342-0800
Hudson, Ohio
January 6, 2003 

Actors' Summit Theater presents the world premiere of 

THE FIGHT AGAINST SLAVERY,
John Brown & Frederick Douglass

January 9 - 19, 2003 

THE FIGHT AGAINST SLAVERY, John Brown & Frederick Douglass, a documentary 
drama about the twelve year relationship between two of the most significant 
figures in 19th Century American history, opens with a preview performance on 
Thursday, January 9 and continues through January 19, with performances at 8 
PM Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 3:30 PM Sundays. The play, written by 
Actors' Summit artistic director Neil Thackaberry, features Mark Gates as 
Frederick Douglass and Thackaberry as John Brown. Performances take place at 
Actors' Summit Theater in downtown Hudson. 

The Play 
How does a farmer from Hudson, Ohio start a civil war? How does a man born 
into slavery educate himself and rise to become an international diplomat? A 
glimpse of the answer may be found in this play which is based on the 
writings of the two men. From 1847 until John Brown's death by hanging in 
1859, these two men met frequently, became close friends, and influenced each 
other's thoughts and actions.

When they first met Frederick Douglass was a pacifist and a leader of the 
abolitionist movement. John Brown was a wool merchant living in Springfield, 
Massachusetts. Their final meeting took place in an abandoned quarry six 
weeks before the raid on Harpers Ferry. The two men were so closely 
associated that when news of the Harpers Ferry attack broke, Frederick 
Douglass fled the country.

The Cast
   Mark Gates (Frederick Douglass) Mark's most recent role was that of Father 
Mark Erickson in the longest running play in Cleveland history -- Tony and 
Tina's Wedding. He has been an actor for over 35 years. He is a graduate of 
the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, West, where he also taught and 
directed for seven years. He continues to serve AADA as the regional 
auditioner. He currently teaches acting at the Cleveland Play House. In 1986 
he received an NAACP award for his work in No Place to be Somebody directed 
by Bill Duke. He also received an L.A. Drama Desk Circle award for directing 
a revival of Amen Corner. Stage credits include: A Soldier's Play, The Boys 
Next Door, A Raisin in the Sun, You Can't Take It With You, Richard III, and 
Othello. Film and TV roles include Telling Lies in America, L.A. Story, Edge 
of Seventeen, and The Fire this Time. 

  A. Neil Thackaberry (Author, Director, John Brown)  Neil  is the Artistic 
Director and Founder of Actors' Summit  theater.  He has served as General 
Manager  of Cleveland    Signstage Theatre and Executive Director of 
Weathervane Community Playhouse.  Academic credentials include an MBA  from 
Kent State University, and an MA from the University of New Orleans. He 
completed his doctoral work at Wayne State University as a member of the 
Hilberry Theatre Company, and did post graduate work at the Yale School of 
Drama on an NEH Grant. A professional actor and director, he is a member of 
Actors' Equity Association and AFTRA.  Locally he has appeared at Ensemble 
Theatre in Kentucky Cycle, the Cleveland Play House in The Importance of 
Being Earnest, and at Great Lakes Theatre Festival in Richard III.

Additional Events
    As the result of generous grants from the Akron Community Foundation and 
the GAR Foundation, a series of additional events, free and open to the 
public, have been scheduled to provide additional perspective on these 
important individuals.
    On Sunday, January 12, at 2:00 PM, John T. Hubbell, Ph.D. will present a 
lecture: "John Brown, Terrorist or Freedom Fighter." Dr. Hubbell is a 
Professor Emeritus of History at Kent State University, and for many years 
was editor of Civil War History.
    On Saturday, January 18, at 2:00 PM, Michelle Sweeting will present "The 
Music of John Brown & Frederick Douglass," a performance of hymns & 
spirituals with commentary by Louis DeCaro, Ph.D.. Michelle Sweeting is a 
singer and teacher with a particular interest in 19th century sacred music.
On Sunday, January 19, at 2:00 PM, Louis DeCaro, Ph.D. Will present a 
lecture: "The Religion of John Brown." Louis A. DeCaro, Jr. is a religious 
educator and pastor who lives in New Jersey. He is the author of On the Side 
of My People: A Religious Life of Malcolm X. He has recently published Fire 
from the Midst of You, A Religious Life of John Brown.

    THE FIGHT AGAINST SLAVERY, John Brown & Frederick Douglass, will also be 
touring to public and parochial schools from January 20th through February 28.

The Production Team
The production is directed by Neil Thackaberry, Artistic Director of Actors' 
Summit. Costume and prop designs are by MaryJo Alexander, Associate Artistic 
Director. Stage Management is by Tim Keo 

Performance Dates and Tickets
THE FIGHT AGAINST SLAVERY runs from January 9 through January 19, 2003 at 8 
p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $25 
Fridays and Saturdays and $22 Thursdays and Sundays. Students and Seniors 
receive a $4 discount. Group discounts are available.
There is a special added performance on Saturday, January 11 at 2:00 PM. 
Student tickets for this added performance are only $8.

Web site 
Actors Summit Theater can be found on the web at www.actorssummit.org. 
Actors' Summit is a professional, not for profit, 501-c-3 professional arts 
organization. We are seeking volunteers and board members. For more details 
please call MaryJo or Neil at 330-342-0800. 

Actors' Summit is a member of PACT, The Professional Alliance of Cleveland 
Theaters. 

Actors' Summit is working under a developmental agreement with Actors' Equity 
Association (the Union of professional Actors and Stage managers).

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<HTML>For Immediate Release
 For additional information contact: 
 Neil Thackaberry 330-342-0800
 Hudson, Ohio
 January 6, 2003 
 
 Actors' Summit Theater presents the world premiere of 
 
 THE FIGHT AGAINST SLAVERY,
 John Brown & Frederick Douglass
 
 January 9 - 19, 2003 
 
 THE FIGHT AGAINST SLAVERY, John Brown & Frederick Douglass, a documentary drama about the twelve year relationship between two of the most significant figures in 19th Century American history, opens with a preview performance on Thursday, January 9 and continues through January 19, with performances at 8 PM Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 3:30 PM Sundays. The play, written by Actors' Summit artistic director Neil Thackaberry, features Mark Gates as Frederick Douglass and Thackaberry as John Brown. Performances take place at Actors' Summit Theater in downtown Hudson. 
 
 The Play 
 How does a farmer from Hudson, Ohio start a civil war? How does a man born into slavery educate himself and rise to become an international diplomat? A glimpse of the answer may be found in this play which is based on the writings of the two men. From 1847 until John Brown's death by hanging in 1859, these two men met frequently, became close friends, and influenced each other's thoughts and actions.
 
 When they first met Frederick Douglass was a pacifist and a leader of the abolitionist movement. John Brown was a wool merchant living in Springfield, Massachusetts. Their final meeting took place in an abandoned quarry six weeks before the raid on Harpers Ferry. The two men were so closely associated that when news of the Harpers Ferry attack broke, Frederick Douglass fled the country.
 
 The Cast
   Mark Gates (Frederick Douglass) Mark's most recent role was that of Father Mark Erickson in the longest running play in Cleveland history -- Tony and Tina's Wedding. He has been an actor for over 35 years. He is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, West, where he also taught and directed for seven years. He continues to serve AADA as the regional auditioner. He currently teaches acting at the Cleveland Play House. In 1986 he received an NAACP award for his work in No Place to be Somebody directed by Bill Duke. He also received an L.A. Drama Desk Circle award for directing a revival of Amen Corner. Stage credits include: A Soldier's Play, The Boys Next Door, A Raisin in the Sun, You Can't Take It With You, Richard III, and Othello. Film and TV roles include Telling Lies in America, L.A. Story, Edge of Seventeen, and The Fire this Time. 
 
  A. Neil Thackaberry (Author, Director, John Brown)  Neil  is the Artistic Director and Founder of Actors' Summit  theater.  He has served as General Manager  of Cleveland    Signstage Theatre and Executive Director of Weathervane Community Playhouse.  Academic credentials include an MBA  from Kent State University, and an MA from the University of New Orleans. He completed his doctoral work at Wayne State University as a member of the Hilberry Theatre Company, and did post graduate work at the Yale School of Drama on an NEH Grant. A professional actor and director, he is a member of Actors' Equity Association and AFTRA.  Locally he has appeared at Ensemble Theatre in Kentucky Cycle, the Cleveland Play House in The Importance of Being Earnest, and at Great Lakes Theatre Festival in Richard III.
 
 Additional Events
 As the result of generous grants from the Akron Community Foundation and the GAR Foundation, a series of additional events, free and open to the public, have been scheduled to provide additional perspective on these important individuals.
 On Sunday, January 12, at 2:00 PM, John T. Hubbell, Ph.D. will present a lecture: "John Brown, Terrorist or Freedom Fighter." Dr. Hubbell is a Professor Emeritus of History at Kent State University, and for many years was editor of Civil War History.
 On Saturday, January 18, at 2:00 PM, Michelle Sweeting will present "The Music of John Brown & Frederick Douglass," a performance of hymns & spirituals with commentary by Louis DeCaro, Ph.D.. Michelle Sweeting is a singer and teacher with a particular interest in 19th century sacred music.
 On Sunday, January 19, at 2:00 PM, Louis DeCaro, Ph.D. Will present a lecture: "The Religion of John Brown." Louis A. DeCaro, Jr. is a religious educator and pastor who lives in New Jersey. He is the author of On the Side of My People: A Religious Life of Malcolm X. He has recently published Fire from the Midst of You, A Religious Life of John Brown.
 
 THE FIGHT AGAINST SLAVERY, John Brown & Frederick Douglass, will also be touring to public and parochial schools from January 20th through February 28.
 
 The Production Team
 The production is directed by Neil Thackaberry, Artistic Director of Actors' Summit. Costume and prop designs are by MaryJo Alexander, Associate Artistic Director. Stage Management is by Tim Keo 
 
 Performance Dates and Tickets
 THE FIGHT AGAINST SLAVERY runs from January 9 through January 19, 2003 at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $25 Fridays and Saturdays and $22 Thursdays and Sundays. Students and Seniors receive a $4 discount. Group discounts are available.
 There is a special added performance on Saturday, January 11 at 2:00 PM. Student tickets for this added performance are only $8.
 
 Web site 
 Actors Summit Theater can be found on the web at www.actorssummit.org. Actors' Summit is a professional, not for profit, 501-c-3 professional arts organization. We are seeking volunteers and board members. For more details please call MaryJo or Neil at 330-342-0800. 
 
 Actors' Summit is a member of PACT, The Professional Alliance of Cleveland Theaters. 
 
 Actors' Summit is working under a developmental agreement with Actors' Equity Association (the Union of professional Actors and Stage managers).
 
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