Frederick County 275th: FCPL Presents the Maryland Ensemble Theatre's "South & Saints": A Devised Piece in partnership with AARCH Society and The Maryland Room

Program Type:

History & Genealogy, Maryland Room

Age Group:

Adult
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Event Details

If you missed this unique presentation when it was live at the MET, now is the time to see the recording of the final performance, as we celebrate Frederick's African American history in the County's 275th year. It will be closed captioned for accessibility.

Since its inception in the summer of 1997 Maryland Ensemble Theatre has premiered over 60 new theatrical works and South & Saints was MET’s 20th mainstage world premiere. South & Saints, which opened at Maryland Ensemble Theatre in May 2023 and ran through June 2023, brought together community storytelling and civic engagement, elevating the voices of Frederick’s rich African American and Black community and their considerable contributions to the landscape of Frederick as we know it today.

The show began with conversations during the pandemic of how MET can better serve the underserved and under-resourced voices in our community. With a long-standing tradition of building plays around community issues and stories, MET and Frederick’s African American Resources and Cultural Heritage (AARCH) Society embarked on a journey that would deepen our collaborative relationship. 

MET’s Producing Artistic Director Tad Janes explains that “we gathered over 20 community members for in-depth discussions and story circles over 6 events, for which we are massively grateful. Using the Story Circle technique developed by John O’Neill of the Free Southern theater and Junebug Productions, the text in South & Saints either derives directly from those story circles or inspired pieces that were written intentionally for this production.”

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director Ray Hatch*

Stage Manager Shayden Jamison*

Asst. Stage Manager Kim Parson

Set Design Wendell Poindexter

Lighting Design Tabetha White*

Costume Design Brandi Robinson

Costume Assistant Rachel Smith*

Sound Design Tom Majarov*

Props Design Lori Boyd

Production Manager Melynda Burdette Wintrol*

Technical Director Cody James*

Filmed by James Meech of Meech Creative, LLC

CAST

Gifty Amponsem

Evan Carrington

Victoria Causey

Alonzo Cook,

Marcus Kersey Jr.

Rona Mensah*

*Denotes MET Ensemble Member