Front Porch Society

by Melda Beaty

November 4, 2008; Marks, Mississippi. America is on the eve of electing its first black president. Amidst the town’s excitement over Barack Obama, Carrie Honey grieves her son’s tragic death. After years of failed attempts to seek justice, Carrie has grown bitter and is no longer interested in life’s celebrations, but when a scandal in town rocks this historic day, a past secret is revealed that restores her...

November 4, 2008; Marks, Mississippi. America is on the eve of electing its first black president. Amidst the town’s excitement over Barack Obama, Carrie Honey grieves her son’s tragic death. After years of failed attempts to seek justice, Carrie has grown bitter and is no longer interested in life’s celebrations, but when a scandal in town rocks this historic day, a past secret is revealed that restores her faded faith.

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Front Porch Society

Recommended by

  • John Bavoso: Front Porch Society

    Reading Front Porch Society truly feels like eavesdropping on a conversation between best friends and neighbors. Beaty beautifully shows the human scale of massive events like elections, war, and systemic racism and police brutality. At turns funny and harrowing, this is a moving play about hope and the ways the past is intertwined with the present and future. Highly recommended!

    Reading Front Porch Society truly feels like eavesdropping on a conversation between best friends and neighbors. Beaty beautifully shows the human scale of massive events like elections, war, and systemic racism and police brutality. At turns funny and harrowing, this is a moving play about hope and the ways the past is intertwined with the present and future. Highly recommended!

  • Jeanette Hill: Front Porch Society

    I was at the staged reading of this play in 2015 at the National Black Theatre Festival. It is a very moving depiction of how life's past tragedies, continue to impact us as family , community and as a society. Love the way it marries our history with hope.

    I was at the staged reading of this play in 2015 at the National Black Theatre Festival. It is a very moving depiction of how life's past tragedies, continue to impact us as family , community and as a society. Love the way it marries our history with hope.

Character Information

  • Carrie Honey
    Character Age
    Late 70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    African American
    Character Gender Identity
    woman
  • Ms. Martha
    Character Age
    Mid 90s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    African American
    Character Gender Identity
    woman
  • Sister Stallworth
    Character Age
    60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    African American
    Character Gender Identity
    woman
  • Alberta Johnson
    Character Age
    Late 70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    African American
    Character Gender Identity
    woman
  • Winnie
    Character Age
    Late 60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    African American
    Character Gender Identity
    woman
  • Terrence
    Character Age
    18
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    African American
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Towner
    Character Age
    Late 50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    African American
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization National Black Theatre Festival, Year 2015
  • Type Reading, Organization Robey Theatre, Year 2013
  • Type Reading, Organization Chicago Dramatist, Year 2011

Production History

  • Type Community Theater, Organization Agape Theatre, Year 2022
  • Type Professional, Organization National Black Theatre Festival-The Ensemble Theatre, Year 2019
  • Type Professional, Organization New African Grove Theater, Year 2019
  • Type Professional, Organization New Horizon Theater, Year 2019
  • Type Professional, Organization The Ensemble Theatre/Houston, TX, Year 2017

Awards

  • Best New Play
    Houston Press: 2017 Houston Theatre Awards
    Finalist
    2017