by Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend
She Tunes the Violin: The Life of Martha Jefferson
Recommended by
- She Tunes the Violin: The Life of Martha Jefferson“
- She Tunes the Violin: The Life of Martha Jefferson“
- She Tunes the Violin: The Life of Martha Jefferson“
Character Information
As written, one actor doubles as John Wayles, John Adams, a Redcoat, and the voice of Captain John Hemings, though they can be split into four small roles if desired.
- Martha JeffersonCharacter Agelate 20s/early 30sCharacter Race/Ethnic IdentityWhiteCharacter Gender IdentityFemale
- Thomas JeffersonMartha Jefferson's husbandCharacter Age30sCharacter Race/Ethnic IdentityWhiteCharacter Gender IdentityMale
- Martha Eppes WaylesMartha Jefferson's deceased mother; only Martha can see herCharacter Age27Character Race/Ethnic IdentityWhiteCharacter Gender IdentityFemale
- Betty HemingsThe daughter of an enslaved African woman and a white British sea captain, Betty belongs to John Wayles and is the woman who raised MarthaCharacter Agelate 40sCharacter Race/Ethnic IdentityBiracial – Black & WhiteCharacter Gender IdentityFemale
- Jupiter EvansThomas Jefferson’s enslaved personal valetCharacter Age30sCharacter Race/Ethnic IdentityBlackCharacter Gender IdentityMale
- Sally HemingsThe daughter of Betty Hemings and John WaylesCharacter AgeteensCharacter Race/Ethnic IdentityBiracial – Black & WhiteCharacter Gender IdentityFemale
- John WaylesMartha Jefferson's fatherCharacter Age50sCharacter Race/Ethnic IdentityWhiteCharacter Gender IdentityMale
- John AdamsCongressional delegate from MassachusettsCharacter Age40sCharacter Race/Ethnic IdentityWhiteCharacter Gender IdentityMale
- RedcoatSoldier of the British ArmyCharacter Age40s/50sCharacter Race/Ethnic IdentityWhiteCharacter Gender IdentityMale
- Captain John HemingsBetty Hemings's father; only heard in voice over, never seen on stageCharacter Age50sCharacter Race/Ethnic IdentityWhiteCharacter Gender IdentityMale
Development History
- Type Reading, Organization Break A Leg Productions, Year 2021
- Type Workshop, Organization Saint Sebastian Players, Year 2020
Production History
Awards
- Historically Speaking Reading SeriesBreak A Leg ProductionsSelection2021