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About STEAL AWAY

The flight north of emancipated slaves after Reconstruction is the greatest migration most Americans have never heard of. The withdrawal of federal troops from the South, combined with the provisions of the Homestead Act of 1862, set the stage for the movement of an estimated 20,000-40,000 African-Americans into Kansas and other Plains and Midwestern states.

STEAL AWAY is a one-woman show about the Exodusters, as these refugees called themselves, likening their flight to the Biblical exodus of the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. I originally wrote and performed this piece as Artist-in Residence at Homestead National Monument of America, a unit of the National Park Service.

Set in 1880, STEAL AWAY is told from the perspective of Priscilla, a white woman who leaves New Jersey to homestead in Kansas with her husband and children. There she crosses paths with Abigail and her family, former slaves who fled Mississippi. To the surprise of both women, they become friends.

The show’s title comes from the Negro spiritual of the same name. Most spirituals have a double meaning, and this song not only refers to “stealing away” home to heaven after death, but also could telegraph a slave’s intention to escape.

STEAL AWAY runs approximately one hour. I supply the props, music, costume, press release, and program. The set consists of a rocking chair and small table, which I provide if the performance is within driving distance. A location with a 100-300- person capacity is the ideal setting, with a sound system in which to play a CD.

STEAL AWAY is a terrific program for any civic association, library, historical society, club, organization, festival or performing arts center, as well as a teaching opportunity for writers, and college and studio theatres. A question and answer session after the show can be arranged.

My performance fee is available upon request. Please contact me for more information and to schedule STEAL AWAY.

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