Cincinnati Black Theatre Company with Actors & Playwrights Collaborative in conjunction with The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center presents
Paul Robeson Note
Paul Robeson (1898–1976) was inspired by the example of his father a former slave, member of the Union Forces and a minister who would speak of his life in slavery and impressed upon Paul a desire to improve life for black people. Robeson was an American bass-baritone concert artist, attorney, Broadway actor, film star, all-American college football player (twice), pro football player, and internationally respected social activist who became famous both for his cultural accomplishments and for his controversial political stances. Considered by many an American hero, if not a great American Renaissance Man, and trailblazer of civil rights in America in the decades preceding Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Robeson was the first black American to star in a major motion picture. He was among one the most influential participants in the Harlem Renaissance. In 1945, he received the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP. In 1950, Robeson was awarded the International Peace Prize for his Songs of Peace. His efforts to end Apartheid in South Africa were recognized in 1978 by the United Nations. The documentary Paul Robeson won an Academy Award. In the centenary of his birth, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Robeson archives exist at the Academy of Arts, Howard University.
The Douglass-Lincoln Debates Playwright’s Note
Most people don’t know that Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln actually met three times and had extended discussions on two of those occasions. The play opens in the Summer of 1863. The Civil War is raging, and the outcome is in doubt. The Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863 not only started freeing slaves, it also authorized the admission of “Negro” troops into the US Military, and Douglass sponsored and recruited the Massachusetts 54th . How these black, Union fighting men were mis-treated by friend and foe alike was the cause of Douglass’ first trip to see Lincoln. Douglass’s second such trip was on Lincoln’s invitation, in the summer of 1864, when Lincoln’s re-election was very much in doubt; Lincoln had two requests for Douglass. Their third meeting in March of 1865 was the only one in the public view and followed Lincoln’s famous “Second Inaugural Address.”
-- Douglas D. Miron
Please Note: No recordings or photographs of any kind during the performances Your cooperation is appreciated.
Inside CBTC
Theatrical Arts Programming Series
The mission of the Cincinnati Black Theatre Company (CBTC) is to Keep Alive the Spirit of African–American Theatre by offering top-notch theatrical productions, performance an employment opportunities, children’s theatre, educational programs and community outreach in all aspects of theatre arts. CBTC is committed to increasing literacy, promoting diversity and multiculturalism, pursuing community outreach, collaborations, and providing access to the arts.
CBTC promotes and preserves the culture of African Americans through theatre and theatre arts education, and ensures greater artistic performances, participation and appreciation for the arts within the African American community, as well as within Greater Cincinnati’s general public. We are composed of instructors, performers, crew, staff, members, and volunteers who are degreed, highly trained, and experienced professionals in Black Theatre, performing arts, education, creative and technical theatre, literature, arts administration, and community service.
Special Thanks for the support of our board, many sponsors, supporters, members, volunteers, patrons and all friends of CBTC! We could not do it without your help! *
Special thanks to Woodrow Keown, Jr.
Director of The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Staff of the NURFC: Andrea Howard, Cody Hefner, Otto Welburn Phil Paradis, Director of Actors & Playwrights Collaborative, Don Sherman Executive Director of Cincinnati Black Theater Company, Village Players of Fort Thomas, Marjorie Hull Paradis, Eddie Sherman, New Dimensions of Independence, State Representative Cecil Thomas, Kathy Young *
From the Executive Director of CBTC, Don Sherman I would like to thank my family for their love and continued support!
Cincinnati Black Theatre Company, 513-241-6060, cincyblacktheatre@gmail.com www.cincinnatiblacktheatre.org
CBTC’s You Gotta Move Arts In Health
Miss Black Teen Cincinnati Pageant
Imagine That! Summer Performing Arts Camp
Paul Robeson & The Douglass- Lincoln Debates Cast & Crew
Steffon Sharpless (Frederick Douglass) is a native Tarheel, trained as a classical scholar at University of North Carolina and has since then, while conducting business in building and contracting, been a motivational and spiritual orator/presenter, perhaps not so unlike Frederick Douglass himself.
Douglas D. Miron, Esq., (Abraham Lincoln) is a native Virginian, went to Swarthmore College and University of Virginia Law School, and was a Criminal Prosecutor in Brooklyn in the “Crack 80’s.” Since then, he has done his best to tikkun olam as an educator, carpenter, and actor. This is his first full length-ish play. His new play Siege of Charleston, 1718 will have its debut in 2025.
Avery Hammonds (director Paul Robeson) is a music teacher at Bond Hill Stem Academy. He received a B.A in Music Education, Vocal Performance from Central State University and a M.F.A. from Ohio University in Athens, with emphasis in Vocal Music, Dance and Theater. Avery sang with the Cincinnati Opera Chorus for 10 years and is an alumnus of Robert A. Taft High School. Avery currently serves as the Vocal Coach and Music Director for the Cincinnati Black Theatre Company, where he has performed the one man show Paul Robeson twice. Avery is also a Choir Director at From the Heart Church Ministries of Cincinnati and is the Talent Coordinator for the Miss Black Cincinnati Pageant and the Miss Black Teen Cincinnati Pageant. Avery was the Choral Director for Withrow Sounds Again. He helped to combine generations of Withrow students, youth and Alumni, to bring together musicals, non-Broadway vocals, and a range of music from all styles together for an enjoyable show helping to rebuild the Arts at that school.; music director for Ain’t Misbehavin’ with the Mariemont Players. Avery currently resides in Cincinnati with his wife Tara, and two children. He likes spending time with family, teaching vocal music, composing choral arrangements, dancing, woodwork, and working on cars.
Paul Robeson & The Douglass- Lincoln Debates Cast & Crew
Wendell Young (Paul Robeson) is a native Cincinnatian, who grew up in Avondale and a graduate from Cincinnati Public Schools. After graduation, Wendell enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served his country for four years. When he left the military, he returned to Cincinnati and joined the Cincinnati Police Department. Retiring with twenty seven years of service to the city and the department as a sergeant. When he retired from his career in law enforcement, he worked at numerous positions in the community. Wendell became Assistant Director of Human Services for the City of Cincinnati. He also served as the Assistant to the Police Academy Commander. His service to the city did not stop here. He served as the Metropolitan Sewer District as Diversity Manager and Training Institute Director. Wendell decided to enter into the educational field and taught for two years at Aiken High School. However, his love for the community and an interest in politics, led him to run for City of Cincinnati City Council. He served as a member of Council from May 2020 until January 2021. Wendell has always loved the arts. He has performed with the Cincinnati Black Theater on numerous occasions. His acting credits include performing as the Narrator in Dream Girls and playing Big Moe in Five Guys Named Moe. He is marking his return to the theater as Paul Robeson in the Cincinnati Black Theater.
Don Sherman (Co-producer) is Executive & Artistic Director of CBTC. Don has directed and produced numerous plays, events and productions regionally and nationally for over 40 years. Don has served as panelist for the artist network of the National Black Theater Festival of Winston, Salem as well as African Americans in theater at Cleveland Playhouse. A few of his many credits include producing the late great John Amos in his one -man hit show Halley’s Comet, directing the Tony winning Broadway hit The Color Purple ,as well as continuing to teach and inspire the youth through CBTC’s Imagine That! arts and educational programming that allows them to pursue their dreams.
Phil Paradis (Co-producer) is Director of Actors & Playwrights Collaborative and a playwright. His plays include Soldier’s Christmas, Evening with Stephen Crane, Ralph Waldo Emerson: The Sage of Concord, Love Knots, and Footprints of the Polar Bear & Other & Environmental Plays. Facebook.com/ActorsandPlaywrights.
Paul Robeson & The Douglass- Lincoln Debates Technical Crew
