[NEohioPAL] Black History Month Play and Director seeking a venue.

[Mark Little]

Black History Month Play and Director seeking a venue.  The High Road is an
original two act play which requires no set and minimal lighting and sound
effects. Financial arrangements negotiable.  For more information, please
contact Gregory J. Lavelle at (440) 724-4538 or email at lavellearb at aim.com.


 

PLOT SUMMARY

 

            The play is set in the parlor of a mansion on a cotton
plantation in Alabama in February of 1860, the year before the start of the
Civil War.  James Forsythe, age 25, has just returned from studying in the
North after the sudden death of his mother.  When informed that his father
is dying and that he must take over the plantation, he forces a moral
dilemma.  He has come to believe that slavery is wrong and determines to
free his slaves.  When Benjamin, his chief slave, makes him realize that the
slaves are bound more by their lack of education than their chains, James
determines to bring in a teacher to educate the slaves before they are
freed.  He recruits a teacher, Eve, with whom he falls in love.  James faces
challenges by the other plantation owners who employ various economic
measures and finally resort to threats of violence to attempt to ensure that
James is not successful.  With the common sense, savvy and help of Benjamin
and the surprising wisdom of his "simple" Aunt Emily he is able to sell his
crop and free the slaves.

 

MARKETING

 

            The play contains much historically accurate information about
the Underground Railroad and pioneer African-Americans in the fields of law,
religion, medicine and politics before the Civil War and would be good for
students to assist in their Black History Month themed studies.  The play
also provides insights into the economics of slavery and the
interrelationships of plantation owners, slaves and sharecroppers.  The play
makes the point that only through education can a person really be free to
pursue his dreams.  African-American churches can be encouraged to provide
their choirs to sing spirituals at the close of the first act and at
intermission.  Any number of African-American children can participate in
the school scene and African-American leaders can appear in cameo roles.  

 

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