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For play inquiries, please contact:
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Freedom Hill
Synopsis:
An homage to Thorton Wilder’s Our Town, Freedom Hill is a metatheatrical play that takes place in what is present-day Princeville, North Carolina. Set from 1870 to 1885, Freedom Hill follows the everyday lives of newly freed black citizens as they fall in love, hope for a better future, build their community, and fight for justice and the right to vote. Freedom Hill offers a rare glimpse into life of a small town during the Reconstruction Era and honors the people who fought against racism, poverty, and rising tides to be free.
Characters:
Earnestine McKnight (Black female, 40s to 50s) – narrator, town manager, clergywoman, and other roles.
Abigail Johnson (Black female, 30s) – laundress and domestic worker
Bella Johnson (Black female, teens) – student, laundress and domestic worker, and Abigail’s daughter
Junie Clark (Black female, 30s) – nurse, Abigail’s sister
Lottie Jones (Black female, 30s) – dressmaker, Maria and Abigail’s neighbor.
Elijah (Eli) Jones (Black male, teens) – student, blacksmith, Lottie’s son.
William Mabson (Black male, 40s) – teacher, Methodist minister, and school principal
Orren James (Black male, 40s) – Barroom clerk, choir leader
Robert Taylor (Black male, 40s) – teacher, state senator, and editor of Edgecombe Watchman.
Samuel Lawrence (Black male, 40s) – grocer and a whiskey distiller
Cast Breakdown
5 Women, 3 Men
Casting note:
Time:
1870 to 1885
Setting:
Freedom Hill, later called Princeville, North Carolina
Development History
An homage to Thorton Wilder’s Our Town, Freedom Hill is a metatheatrical play that takes place in what is present-day Princeville, North Carolina. Set from 1870 to 1885, Freedom Hill follows the everyday lives of newly freed black citizens as they fall in love, hope for a better future, build their community, and fight for justice and the right to vote. Freedom Hill offers a rare glimpse into life of a small town during the Reconstruction Era and honors the people who fought against racism, poverty, and rising tides to be free.
Characters:
Earnestine McKnight (Black female, 40s to 50s) – narrator, town manager, clergywoman, and other roles.
Abigail Johnson (Black female, 30s) – laundress and domestic worker
Bella Johnson (Black female, teens) – student, laundress and domestic worker, and Abigail’s daughter
Junie Clark (Black female, 30s) – nurse, Abigail’s sister
Lottie Jones (Black female, 30s) – dressmaker, Maria and Abigail’s neighbor.
Elijah (Eli) Jones (Black male, teens) – student, blacksmith, Lottie’s son.
William Mabson (Black male, 40s) – teacher, Methodist minister, and school principal
Orren James (Black male, 40s) – Barroom clerk, choir leader
Robert Taylor (Black male, 40s) – teacher, state senator, and editor of Edgecombe Watchman.
Samuel Lawrence (Black male, 40s) – grocer and a whiskey distiller
Cast Breakdown
5 Women, 3 Men
Casting note:
- The actor playing William can also play Samuel.
- The actor playing Robert can also play Orren.
- The actress play Abigail will voice Woman in the Audience.
- The actress play Lottie will voice Another Woman in the Audience.
Time:
1870 to 1885
Setting:
Freedom Hill, later called Princeville, North Carolina
Development History
- New Play Development Workshop and Reading at Univ. of California - Santa Barbara Launch Pad Amplify Reading Series - January 2023
- New Play Development Workshop at PlayMakers Repertory and UNC's Department of Dramatic Art - October 2019