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 by Melda Beaty
    “

    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 by Melda Beaty
    “

    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

  • Terrence
    18
    African American
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Towner
    Late 50s
    African American
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Carrie Honey
    Late 70s
    African American
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Ms. Martha
    Mid 90s
    African American
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Sister Stallworth
    60s
    African American
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Alberta Johnson
    Late 70s
    African American
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Winnie
    Late 60s
    African American
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

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

Production History

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

Awards

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