SIX NIGHTS IN THE BLACK BELT by Lowell Williams

SEMI-FINALIST, O'NEILL NATIONAL PLAYWRIGHTS CONFERENCE
WINNER OF THE OVATION AWARD, YOUNGSTOWN, OH

2015 is the fiftieth anniversary of the death of civil rights activist Jonathan Daniels, who participated in the legendary Selma to Montgomery march in the spring of 1965 and was killed following a protest in Fort Deposit, AL, in August 1965.

This is a play with music,...
SEMI-FINALIST, O'NEILL NATIONAL PLAYWRIGHTS CONFERENCE
WINNER OF THE OVATION AWARD, YOUNGSTOWN, OH

2015 is the fiftieth anniversary of the death of civil rights activist Jonathan Daniels, who participated in the legendary Selma to Montgomery march in the spring of 1965 and was killed following a protest in Fort Deposit, AL, in August 1965.

This is a play with music, making use of a range of music from Negro Spirituals to hymns. The music can be accomplished with the use of recordings, but reaches its real potential with a choir of four or more members singing acapella.

Daniels stayed on in Alabama, working with the Student Non-Violent Coordinating committee and becoming friends with Stokely Carmichael and Ruby Sales. Much of the play surrounds Jonathan's relationship with Stokely, who did not want whites working along side blacks in the civil rights movement.

The play follows Jonathan's activities as he tries to integrate the Selma Episcopal church and participates in a protest against back door only policies, which lead to his first time in jail and subsequent murder in August, 1965.

OK for High School or College.
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SIX NIGHTS IN THE BLACK BELT

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Character Information

Can also include a choir or use recorded music

  • Jonathan Daniels
    20's,
    White, Any
    ,
    Male
    Jonathan is based on a real person, and you can find pictures on line. It would be interesting to cast him with an actor with a different Ethnic identity.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Stokely Carmicheal
    20's,
    African American
    ,
    Male
    Based on a real person. Originally from Trinidad. Moved to NYC at age 10, Bronx School of Science, Howard University. Street smart, has a plan
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Ruby Sales
    Teens,
    African American
    ,
    Female
    based on a real person. Well-spoken for her age, mature, attending Tuskeegee Institute. Ruby is determined, idealistic but littered with the flaws of a teenager.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Mary-Ann Hasham
    40-50-60,
    White
    ,
    Female
    Middle-class woman from Selma. Bigoted, "traditional" Southerner, forever yearning for the way things were.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Loretta Baker
    30-60,
    African American
    ,
    Female
    Singer and owner of a restaurant. Loretta is upper-middle-class African-American, a rare thing in this part of Alabama. She protects herself, but reaches out into the community and supports her friends when she can.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Judy Upham
    20s,
    White
    ,
    Female
    Episcopal Seminary student in Cambridge, originally from the Midwest. Judy has a big crush on Jonathan, but they ignore that part of their relationship. Eager to work in service
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Charles Watkins
    40-50-60,
    White
    ,
    Male
    Episcopal priest in Selma. Charles is caught in the middle between decidedly racist vestry members and what he recognizes as his duty to God.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Montgomery Theater, Souderton, PA
    ,
    2010
  • Reading
    ,
    Negro Ensemble Company
    ,
    2009
  • Reading
    ,
    Great Plains Theater Conference
    ,
    2008
  • Reading
    ,
    New Theater Works
    ,
    2008

Production History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Youngstown Playhouse, Youngstown, OH
    ,
    2013
  • Workshop
    ,
    M&M Productions
    ,
    2010

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
Selected Play
,
O'Neill National Playwrights Conference
,
2008