Core Ensemble’s “Ain’t I a Woman” Presented on March 12 in Celebration of Women’s History Month

“Ain’t I a Woman,” a chamber music theater work presented by Core Ensemble that celebrates the lives and times of four significant African American women, will be presented at William Paterson University in Wayne on Tuesday, March 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the Shea Center for Performing Arts on campus.

The program, offered as part of WP Presents! series in collaboration with William Paterson’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion, is presented as part of the University’s celebration of Women's History Month.

This chamber music theatre work for actress and a trio comprised of cello, piano, and percussion celebrates the lives and times of four significant African American women: ex-slave and fiery abolitionist Sojourner Truth, renowned novelist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, exuberant folk artist Clementine Hunter, and fervent civil rights worker Fannie Lou Hamer. The title is taken from Sojourner Truth’s speech at the 1851 Women’s Rights Convention held in Akron, Ohio, which is now recognized as one of the most famous abolitionist and women’s rights speeches in American history.

With text by Kim Hines, the production features a musical score drawn from the heartfelt spirituals of the Deep South, the urban exuberance of the jazz age, and concert music by African American composers including Diane Monroe. A question-and-answer period with the performers concludes the program. 

Since 1993, the Core Ensemble has produced and performed new music theatre works based on multicultural, feminist, and humanistic topics across the United States. Based in South Florida, the ensemble is dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding; exploring social justice issues through artistic interpretation; providing education programs for young people and adults; and offering emotionally impactful cultural experiences that spark conversation and inspire actions that make a difference in promoting equality for all.

Tickets are $10 for the general public and $5 for William Paterson faculty, and staff; admission is free for students. To purchase tickets, or for additional information, call the Shea Center for Performing Arts Box Office at 973-720-2371 or visit wp-presents.org.

 

02/26/24