Performance Exhibit
Welcome to American History!The following are photos of the history exhibit
I use as visual aides in performances and workshops,
for middle schools to senior audiences,
"Doin' Dunbar! as 'Lias' Mother!"
Philadelphia FBI Black History Program
"Yawl seen my son 'Lias'?
This performance was well received by employees of the Philadelphia branch of the FBI for their annual Black History Program.The house was packed in the Federal Reserve Auditorium as it was transformed into the humble cabin of 'Lias' Mother on a southern plantation. I found my son 'Lias in the audience (as always) and soon the ad libbing and inter-action began, moving the audience from roars of laughter to silent tears.
I felt this was one of my best audiences and performances, and the feeling was mutual, as revealed in the standing ovation, and in a letter from an audience member who later wrote the following...
"We felt like we were in the cabin with you,
thank you for sharing your special gift with us."
International Festival
The International Festival is an educational festival and expo originating in Boston, and traveling on to Philadelphia and Detroit.
As a school field trip, over 10,000 students and teachers spend a full day learning and experiencing the food, art and crafts, music, storytelling and history of various countries from around the world!
International Festival Display pt. 2
The exhibit shows the route of the middle passage from Africa to America, authentic photos of actual slaves, Underground Railroad route, ending with book displays on Slavery,
Civil War and Paul Laurence Dunbar.
Black figurines representing the characters in Dunbar's poetry prove to be a special attraction for youngsters.
This special exhibit was visually enlightening, entertaining and highly educational to all students who visited my booth to see and hear about the African-American experience.