Soul-Stirring Performance "The Trail of Freedom" to be Held at Reba Place Church of Evanston

EVANSTON, Illinois, May 2017 – Evanston based 1225 Productions proudly presents The Trail of Freedom. This fictional dramatic reading depicts abolitionist Harriet Tubman and four enslaved men and women who seek freedom by the Underground Railroad. A soul-stirring performance featuring a cast of six actors and two ensemble members, The Trail of Freedom will be held at Reba Place Church (620 W. Madison, Evanston, Illinois) on Saturday, June 3 at 3 p.m.

Directed by Brian E. Smith of 1225 Productions, this dramatic reading follows Harriet Tubman in one of her many missions to liberate slaves from the South. With a cast of characters that emphasizes the inner struggles of the group, this dramatic reading succeeds in showing how the system of slavery dehumanized people to the point of turning them against each other in their quest for freedom. The band includes a father and his young daughter, a field hand, and a rival house servant escaping with their lives all while laboring to reconcile their inherent God-given freedom with the challenges of escape from their evil, unnatural, and inhumane bondage.

Reflecting upon this performance, author and director Brian E. Smith said, “Through this dramatic reading I attempt to paint a picture of the thoughts and feelings of Black people who are dealing with trauma and evil while facing the prospects of freedom. As a result, The Trail of Freedom will make you laugh, cry, and challenge you to think about what it means to be Black, human, and free.”

In addition to writing and directing, Smith also performs in The Trail of Freedom. Stephanie E. Smith, ensemble member and co-director of 1225 Productions, plays Harriet Tubman. Supporting cast members include: Tiffany Bell, Renee Black, Mark Graham, Gail Hutchinson, C. Diane Johnson, and Chloe Ann Smith.

General admission tickets are $10 a piece and are on sale now. To purchase tickets online, go to
TrailofFreedom.EventBrite.com.

REVIEWS

Fusing elements of drama, biography, theodicy, spirituals, and history in seamless fashion, The Trail of Freedom is a work that touches body, soul, and mind.

The performance from start to end was passionate, bringing tears as well as expressions of approval. I highly recommend seeing this dramatic reading.

Steeped in the African American church tradition, The Trail of Freedom powerfully evokes the struggle for Black freedom in words, prayer, movement, and song. This performance is a great conversation starter for
community groups and families.

The dialogue amongst the characters is powerful and penetrating, revealing the deep conflicts, hopes, anxieties, fears, and struggles in the multi-dimensional lives of those caught in the thralldom of slavery
and now presented with the prospect of a perilous but promising exit ramp to freedom.

The Trail of Freedom was commissioned by The Center for the Church and the Black Experience at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in March 2017.