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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'>Black History Month Play and Director seeking a venue. <strong><span
style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The High Road</span></strong> 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 <a
href="mailto:lavellearb@aim.com">lavellearb@aim.com</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='color:black'>PLOT SUMMARY<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>
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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='color:black'>MARKETING<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>
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. </span><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#17365D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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