Show Me the Franklins Meet Jemima, Peter, Othello, George, and King, all held in slavery by Benjamin Franklin. Through music, movement & sometimes humorous scenes, three actors and scholar Amanda Kemp dramatize how our ancestors might have experienced American Slavery and American Freedom. This play offers a fresh perspective on Franklin, who died as president of the abolitionist society without ever freeing one of his own slaves. Join us in remembering and forgiving the wounds of slavery and creating new possibilities from a position of compassion. Appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Sister Friend Phillis Wheatley, eighteenth century Black poet and international celebrity and her friend Obour Tanner come to life in this 30 minute drama about their friendship, love, and understanding of the Divine. Suffused with AFrican American spirituals, schools may book one of two versions, one for ages 6 and up or the other for 9 and up.
Hoodwinked What happens to a predominantly Black community struggling with crime, poverty and hopelessness when Mr. Hood, an ageless performer comes to town to emcee the annual talent show and shakes things up? A play with music, this production features a young rising star, dance and original music. Appropriate for ages 8 and up.
One Woman Show "The Sweeter the Berry: Stories and Songs about Remembering, Forgiving and Creating New Possibilities"
Featuring Amanda Kemp, this 40 minute one-woman show includes excerpts from Show Me the Franklins, Hoodwinked and stories about growing up in foster care.
Residencies with Dr. Amanda Kemp & Plays for Young Actors Dr. Kemp works with young audiences directing and writing short plays for young actors. Celebrate Dr. King's birthday or Black History Month with "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" a 12 minute play about the Montgomery bus boycott. Appropriate for 4th and 5th grade performers, the play shows how two famlies, one black the other white, are changed forever by the Montgomery bus boycott. Performance rights and scripts can be purchased separate from a residency or school may book Dr. Kemp as director in addition.
The Ancestors Workshop This workshop combines yoga, meditation and creative writing to assist participants in connecting with their ancestors. By ancestors, we mean biological, spiritual, political, or artistic forbears who have no passed over. The intent is to empower ourselves and consider what the ancestors might be calling on us to do today. Appropriate for ages 12 on up. Workshop usually runs 2 hours but can be abbreviated for school groups.
From the Page to the Stage This educational program teaches students how to conduct historical research that uncovers untold stories and/or the perspectives of marginalized people, and subsequently how to present the stories and information they find in ways that engage the learning community. Facilitated by Dr. Amanda Kemp, this program may be adapted for short term residencies or be carried on over the course of a semester. Middle School and High School students would find this workshop useful in preparation for National History Day presentations.
Creating New Possibilities for Race in America In this workshop, we forgive and seek forgiveness for the past to free up energy to create something new, both on a personal and collective level. Blending yoga, visualizatin and creative writing, we create new possibilities for race in our lives and in our communities. We draw on our memories and spiritual resources to do this work in a circle of compassion. You will have the opportunity to forgive, be forgiven and create something new. No prior yoga or writing experience necessary. Bring a yoga mat, blanket, and journal. This workshop lasts two and a half to three hours and is appropriate for high schoolers (with parental permissions) and adults.
