HOLDEN & ARTS ASSOCIATES
SHARING STORIES AND CREATING PARTNERSHIPS SINCE 1983
PIGFOOT MARY'S HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Produced by First Woman
From New York, New York
Photo by Katie Day
Myles Walker as Dr. King Photo by: Marsh Photography
Pig Foot Mary, secretly wealthy from her popular food stand, awaits news on a property sale that could mark her departure from Harlem. She shares stories about her life and the customers who left a lasting impact on her.
Who are Hot Fingers The Piano Player, The Garveyite, Crispus The Number’s Runner, and WWI Veteran General Wilson? What do they have in common with Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Marcus Garvey, and Zora Neale Hurston?
Inspired by Lillian Harris Dean, one of Harlem's most successful early entrepreneurs in the 1920s, this lively two actor play bursts with jazz, vibrant characters, and dances of the Harlem Renaissance, connecting the past to today in a fun, poignant, and educational way.
This production is supported by the TYA Tour Development Collective.
Curriculum Connections
-
Fine Arts: Performance, Technology and Multi-media Design, Music - Traditional Negro Spiritual Songs and Freedom Songs
-
History & Social Studies: American History, Civil Rights, African American Leaders
-
Emotional/Social Development: Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Self-Management, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision-Making; Discrimination; Honesty; Respect; Challenging Public Perception; Personal Politics; Empowerment; Empathy; Agency
Outreach and Workshops
STUDENT WORKSHOPS:
Living Book Workshop: HERO: The Boy From Troy, A New Musical About Young John Lewis unfolds through a living book. In this workshop, students will make books out of art supplies and construction paper, pinpointing key moments in their own lives that have shaped them into the people they are, the people they are becoming, and examine their biggest dreams. Then, the books will be shared with the class, and if time permits, the books created will be used to create dramatic interpretations of the work. Students will then get to perform in each of the stories as well as ask each other questions about their stories, getting to know each other and their place in their own modern world history.
Dream Freedom Songs Workshop: HERO: The Boy From Troy, A New Musical About Young John Lewis takes place during the Civil Rights Movement. In this workshop, students will be presented excerpts from the show, participate in Q&A’s about the show, then learn the freedom songs that are in the show. Participants will sing freedom songs, then create a song as a group about making dreams come true!
Tableaux Workshop: HERO: The Boy From Troy, A New Musical About Young John Lewis takes place during a time period when Young John Lewis was trying different things in life transforming into who he was destined to become. In this workshop students will use their bodies to create transformations from their favorite animal to people who inspire them. What are their qualities that you love? Are they kind, nervous, affectionate, needy, etc? This movement based workshop will culminate in a big dance party show and tell where participants show their work and dance together as John Lewis does with his chickens in the show.
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS:
Empathy Workshops: In HERO: The Boy From Troy, A New Musical About Young John Lewis, Young John Lewis is in a conversation with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In this community workshop, young people will interview older community members and vice versa to really get a full picture of what it is to walk in another person’s shoes. Then participants will use what they’ve learned from them to make up a story about taking a ride with them through a scary place. Let their stories be the words that help you through make it back home. Conversations and sharing will commence, including creating a short performance piece based on the interactions.
Workshop À la carte: John Lewis ultimately was a servant for the community. In this workshop, show creators will meet with the venues, teachers, community leaders, etc, to design a workshop specifically geared towards their community. What issues are happening in your community? Share with our artists what is an issue for you, and our team will design a workshop around whatever will best serve your population. This workshop can include, dance, writing, acting, designing, Civil Rights issues, etc, anything that will add value to your gatherings and promote creativity, dialogue, and fun.
Sensory Friendly Performances
HERO: THE BOY FROM TROY is available as a “sensory friendly” or “relaxed” performance if arranged with the company in advance and with specific direction as to what adjustments are necessary for your venue.
Minimum Technical Requirements
-
Load In Time: 4 hours (with pre-hang)
-
Crew Needs: minimum 2 crew for load in/load out; 2 crew to run sound/lights during show
-
Min. Stage Size: 20’ wide x 20’ deep x 10’ height, 4’ wing space on both sides
-
Load out time: 1 hour
-
In houses over 600 seats, sound support (3 wireless mics and transmitters) may be required
Artistic Team
Daniel Carlton, director
Nambi E. Kelley, book writer
Joe Plummer, lyrics and music
Leo Lei, projections designer
Cast: TBA
There will be 3 performers and 1 technician on the road.
This new musical production was commissioned by Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera's Gallery of Heroes Program.
The national touring production is supported by Development Partner The Center at Governor State University in University Park, IL.
Acclaim for Past Work from First Woman
HERO: THE BOY FROM TROY
"Nambi E. Kelley writes from the heart. She writes from the soul. She writes for us. The students were engaged, enriched and most importantly, they were seen. What a beautiful show for children to learn about the legacy of John Lewis in a way that is fun, informative and inspiring.” - Lauren Wells-Mann, Arts in Education Director, The Center for Performing Arts at Governor State University in University Park, IL.
“I was giving a tour of City to a group of Latinx kids who are our community partners and I asked if they ever saw a play before and a few raised their hand and said “I saw a play about John Lewis!!!” 💙💙💙 then one went on a monologue about separate but unequal. He was 6 years old. Your show is touching the masses!” - Monteze Freeland, Co Artistic Director City Theatre, Pittsburgh
JABARI DREAMS OF FREEDOM
"This was perfect for my students. It was engaging as well as historical." -5th Grade Teacher from Kalamazoo, MI
"Good amount of history interwoven into an entertaining, up-to-date format that my fifth grade students could relate to." -5th Grade Teacher from Kalamazoo, MI
"...seeing it through a young boy's eyes helped the students to understand and put themselves in his position." -5th Grade Teacher from Kalamazoo, MI
"I hope this experience will give my students permission to express themselves and address their feelings and emotions." -5th Grade Teacher from Kalamazoo, MI
"I think it's very important to get children talking and learning about racism and what it entails, what it looked like in history and what it still looks like today. If it's something they hear at home or with relatives, we can empower them to speak their minds and possibly help to educate their families. They are also the future and hopefully they can continue to fight against racism and help it to banish it forever!!" -5th Grade Teacher from Kalamazoo, MI
"I was a bit nervous about tackling such a controversial topic (BLM) in my school. But having the support of EFA allowed us to have thoughtful lessons and discussions on this topic. Normally I don't hear much from families on the AE lessons but I wanted to pass along this message I received from one of my families regarding Jabari Dreams of Freedom. "Whoever came up with this did an amazing job - {my child} has been talking a lot about the aesthetic Ed and is excited for the trip. I believe more (and more accurate) education is key to ending systemic racism and this is a definite step in the right direction for our kids." -5th Grade Teacher from Kalamazoo, MI
Company Background
Past North American Tours include: JABARI DREAMS OF FREEDOM
About First Woman, LLC:
First Woman is a full service production company that develops and produces projects for television, film, stage, and work for young audiences. Named for the East African creation story from which her first name comes, founder Nambi E. Kelley is an award-winning playwright, actress, and screenwriter. Most recently, First Woman completed the inaugural tour of Hero: The Boy From Troy in spring 2025 and will have another national tour of Hero coming up in spring 2026. They completed a second national tour of Jabari Dreams of Freedom after a successful inaugural tour culminated in New York on 42nd Street at the New Victory. First Woman’s inaugural production was the digital incarnate of Jabari which has been shown across the world in multiple film festivals garnering tremendous accolades and awards.
Learn more on their website here.
About Daniel Carlton:
Daniel Carlton is a celebrated Harlem, NY based Director, Actor, Storyteller, Playwright, Poet,Lyricist , and Teaching Artist. An award-winning talent, Carlton's diverse work has graced stages in New York, across the nation, and internationally. Also known for his unique flair for bringing performances to unconventional spaces, Carlton has shared his storytelling artistry in schools, jails, homeless shelters, museums, parks and libraries. Recent TYA credits include: Jabari Dreams Of Freedom and Hero The Boy From Troy (First Woman Productions, Director), Freedom Flight and Keep Marching (Mad River Theater Works, Director, Playwright, Lyricist), Freedom Riders (Mad River Theater Works, Director), and Finding North (RainART Productions, Actor, Collaborator with David Gonzalez). Other credits include March On (Blackberry Productions at Apollo Theater, National Black Theater Festival, Playwright, Director), Pigfoot Mary Says Goodbye to The Harlem Renaissance (Playwright), A Whistle In Mississippi (Co-Playwright with Michael Green), Memories Of Self( Playwright) Hidden Inside (co-written with Nambi E Kelley, Keen Teens, Concord Publications), This Ability (Director, Co-Written with Nambi E Kelley, Chicago Children’s Theater), and So Journey to The Truth (Co-Written with Nambi E Kelley, Syracuse Stage/Regional Tour). JazzReach ( Narrator).
For more information, please visit Daniel's website: www.danielcarlton.com
Past Productions
New Victory LabWorks, Christine Jean