Theatrical dance program celebrates abolitionist’s legacy at Penn State Sept. 19

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Choreographer Lynnette Young Overby highlights the Black American experience with a new theatrical dance work making its local debut at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, in Eisenhower Auditorium. Pairing Overby’s dramatic choreography with the author’s own words, “The Artistry and Activism of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper” brings to life 19th century Black stories, literature and civil rights history in an engaging, living portrait.

After the performance, the artist will speak with interested audience members. Call 814-863-0255 or visit Frances Harper online for more information and to purchase tickets.

The production is part of “Frances E. W. Harper: Looking Back, Moving Forward 1825–2025,” a symposium from Sept. 19–21 hosted by Penn State’s Center for Black Digital Research and the Africana Research Center. Visit Colored Conventions Project online for more information about the symposium.

The intersection of civil rights history, feminism and performance art

Harper was a prolific abolitionist author and figure who was born free in Baltimore in 1825 and orphaned a few years later. She was raised by relatives in Philadelphia, and at a young age, she started her storied writing career and published anti-slavery journal entries, miscellaneous poems, essays on being a Black woman in America, short stories dissecting religious tropes and more. She was one of the first Black women to see her anti-slavery written works published in the United States.

“Artistry and Activism” will be performed by actress Sharia Benn, the Sharing Our Legacy Dance Theatre and members of the State College-Penn State community. The program includes:

• Harper’s poems “Blessed Hope,” “Slave Mother” and “Sketches of a Southern Life”; her novel, ”Iola Leroy”; the short story ”The Two Offers”; and the lecture ”We are All Bound Up Together”;
• original poems by Glenis Redmond;
• original music by Ralph Russell, David Horton and Vianne Reay; and
• the song “Every Time I Feel the Spirit,” by Arreon Harley-Emerson, Penn State School of Music assistant professor of choral music and Essence of Joy director.

“It’s historical,” Overby said of the program in a University of Delaware interview. “It helps us to see where we are today, based on where we came from, the issues that were prevalent at that time and how they continue to have an impact on who we are today.“

This event is presented in collaboration with Penn State College of the Liberal Arts Center for Black Digital Research.

Accessibility — American Sign Language interpretation

American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for this performance. Contact the Arts Ticket Center via email or by calling 814-863‑2727, ext. 3, by Friday, Sept. 6, to discuss ASL seating preferences.

Discounts

Visit Discounts for information on available ticket-discount programs, including the Arts Engagement Family Program, a free ticket program for Penn State students and a ticket discount for Penn State employees.

Acknowledgements

ASL support is provided by Shih-In Ma. Accessibility services are supported by the Sidney and Helen S. Friedman Endowment. Support for the Arts Engagement Family Program is provided by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and
William E. McTurk Endowment for Program Support. A grant from the University Park Fee Board makes student prices possible.

Find us

The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State aspires to create connected, sustainable, and equitable communities, where everyone experiences joy, belonging and creativity. For more information about the season, visit the Center for the Performing Arts online, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.