TOO FREE FOR ME
By Rex Stephenson
6 m, 7 w
One interior.
Script: 59 pages; about 90 minutes.
Winner of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education award in 1995. Ideal for Black History month observances. The drama is based on an actual trial that occurred in Franklin County, Virginia in 1851. Indiana Choice, a black woman, claims that she and her three children are free. She sues Gresham Choice, her alleged owner, for not only her freedom but that of her three children. Gresham, a prominent citizen with political aspirations, denies Indiana is a free black. The events of the trial are recalled by Margaret Oxley who attended this trial as a child. Oxley is especially fond of Jubal Early, the lawyer for Indiana. As the trial progresses, a variety of witnesses are called to provide evidence concerning Indiana's legal status. The pivotal witness is Cassandra Choice, wife of the man trying to keep Indiana in slavery. She is also the only person that knows Indiana's real status. Cassandra is torn between her duty to her friend, Indiana, and her wifely duties to her husband, Gresham.
#1892 Too Free For Me
***REVIEWS and COMMENTS***
“I have wanted to stage this play for a long while. I actually performed in the full-length version in 1992 while attempting to eke out a living as an actor. It is the perfect example of the educational power of theatre. We use the means of theatre to teach a lesson in Virginia history that many have forgotten and that others never knew in the first place." - T.D. Director, Marion (VA) H.S. after winning first place at the Virginia High School League Region IV Theatre Festival.
Comments from judges included:
"Slow motion movement and freezes during narration were visually stunning..."
"The courtroom scenes are so alive and believeable."
"The details were historically accurate. I thank you most for the history lesson this play teaches. The actors understand the story, the history of the story, the value of the story."
6 m, 7 w
One interior.
Script: 59 pages; about 90 minutes.
Winner of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education award in 1995. Ideal for Black History month observances. The drama is based on an actual trial that occurred in Franklin County, Virginia in 1851. Indiana Choice, a black woman, claims that she and her three children are free. She sues Gresham Choice, her alleged owner, for not only her freedom but that of her three children. Gresham, a prominent citizen with political aspirations, denies Indiana is a free black. The events of the trial are recalled by Margaret Oxley who attended this trial as a child. Oxley is especially fond of Jubal Early, the lawyer for Indiana. As the trial progresses, a variety of witnesses are called to provide evidence concerning Indiana's legal status. The pivotal witness is Cassandra Choice, wife of the man trying to keep Indiana in slavery. She is also the only person that knows Indiana's real status. Cassandra is torn between her duty to her friend, Indiana, and her wifely duties to her husband, Gresham.
#1892 Too Free For Me
***REVIEWS and COMMENTS***
“I have wanted to stage this play for a long while. I actually performed in the full-length version in 1992 while attempting to eke out a living as an actor. It is the perfect example of the educational power of theatre. We use the means of theatre to teach a lesson in Virginia history that many have forgotten and that others never knew in the first place." - T.D. Director, Marion (VA) H.S. after winning first place at the Virginia High School League Region IV Theatre Festival.
Comments from judges included:
"Slow motion movement and freezes during narration were visually stunning..."
"The courtroom scenes are so alive and believeable."
"The details were historically accurate. I thank you most for the history lesson this play teaches. The actors understand the story, the history of the story, the value of the story."
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Eldridge Plays & Musicals | PO Box 14367 | Tallahassee, FL 32317
Telephone: 1-850-385-2463 | Fax: 1-850-386-6799 | Email: info@histage.com
Telephone: 1-850-385-2463 | Fax: 1-850-386-6799 | Email: info@histage.com
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