Speak of Me as I Am

Speak of Me as I Am: a Celebration of African American Contributions to Shakespeare

A Partnership with Harris County Public Library

July 23 at 6:30 – 8:00pm
https://www.facebook.com/harriscountypl/live/
You do not have to have Facebook to watch!

on July 23 from 6:30 – 8:00pm, in partnership once again with Harris County Public Library (HCPL), Main Street will lift up the contributions of historical African American actors to Shakespeare.  Speak of Me as I Am: a Celebration of African American Contributions to Shakespeare created by Jonathan Minchew-Gonzalez, Director of Education & Youth Engagement for this partnership as commission by HCPL. This will be the 3^rd time the piece has been presented by the partnership, and it will, of course, be virtual.

While many African Americans of yesteryear such as Louis Armstrong, Langston Hughes, and Hattie McDaniel are well known for contributions to America’s art scene, fewer people know about the great black Shakespearian actors of early America. Figures such as Ira Aldridge, Henrietta Vinton Davis, and Paul Robeson may not be household names, but they enthralled audiences with their truth, dignity, and passion as they embodied characters such as Hamlet, Juliet, Lady Macbeth, and Othello. In this one-of-a-kind reading, actors from Main Street Theater’s Shakespeare for All program will share historic accounts, stories, and, of course, scenes and speeches from Shakespeare in an interactive, audience-friendly presentation that reminds us that Shakespeare is, indeed, for ALL. Local professional actors Ansonia Jones and Ernest Neal are featured in the performance. The actors will answer questions posted in the chat section of the live stream! Link to event coming soon.