2008 Woodie Awards
Left Hand Singing helps bring Civil Rights history to life
Allie Thomas
Issue date: 2/13/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Civil Rights history will come alive Feb. 28 and March 1-4 in the Harriet Fulton Theatre of Fine Arts in a Vanguard Theatre production titled "The Left Hand Singing."
Written by Barbara Lebow, the play follows 30 years of heartache for three families as their son or daughter disappeared in Mississippi's Freedom Summer of 1964 while trying to help blacks pass the literacy test to vote.
"Freedom Summer" resulted in professors, students and others from all walks of life, working in the South for racial equality during the Civil Rights Movement. The literacy test was designed to keep blacks at a disadvantage in political elections, forcing those who took it to answer several American history trivia questions before casting a ballot.
Using dramatic comedy, the play highlights the elements of prejudice and the pain it cost the three families as they search for meaning in their lost prosperities' cause.
The March performances are scheduled to coincide with the Civil Rights Conference which will begin Thursday, March 1 with writer, lecturer and teacher, Julian Bond speaking. Bond was also the first president of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The performers include: Kendra Bell as Maddy Johnson, Andrea Cash as Honey Johnson, Mary Beth French as Clair Partridge, Natalie Horbelt as Bea Winnick. Jonathan Johnson as John Partridge, Matthew Maitland as Wes Partridge, and Jessica Jo Sims as Linda Winnick.
On Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m., students can watch the play free of admission prices upon presenting their student ID.
From March 1-4 regular admission will be $10 and $5 for students. The box office in the lobby of Fine Arts will be selling tickets starting Feb. 26.
For more information please call the box office at 881-7090 or 7400.
Written by Barbara Lebow, the play follows 30 years of heartache for three families as their son or daughter disappeared in Mississippi's Freedom Summer of 1964 while trying to help blacks pass the literacy test to vote.
"Freedom Summer" resulted in professors, students and others from all walks of life, working in the South for racial equality during the Civil Rights Movement. The literacy test was designed to keep blacks at a disadvantage in political elections, forcing those who took it to answer several American history trivia questions before casting a ballot.
Using dramatic comedy, the play highlights the elements of prejudice and the pain it cost the three families as they search for meaning in their lost prosperities' cause.
The March performances are scheduled to coincide with the Civil Rights Conference which will begin Thursday, March 1 with writer, lecturer and teacher, Julian Bond speaking. Bond was also the first president of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The performers include: Kendra Bell as Maddy Johnson, Andrea Cash as Honey Johnson, Mary Beth French as Clair Partridge, Natalie Horbelt as Bea Winnick. Jonathan Johnson as John Partridge, Matthew Maitland as Wes Partridge, and Jessica Jo Sims as Linda Winnick.
On Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m., students can watch the play free of admission prices upon presenting their student ID.
From March 1-4 regular admission will be $10 and $5 for students. The box office in the lobby of Fine Arts will be selling tickets starting Feb. 26.
For more information please call the box office at 881-7090 or 7400.
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