SCRIPT OUTLINE
"'Until the Whole Broad Earth Be Freed': Mid-Hudson Antislavery History, Presented in Words and Song"

Characters:
James Hervey Dudley (David Greenwood)
a lady of Poughkeepsie, reading a brief excerpt from Sojourner Truth's narrative
(Lorraine Roberts)
a gentleman of Poughkeepsie, reading a brief excerpt from Samuel Ringgold
Ward's narrative (Stefan Stanley)
Deborah Willetts (Nan Greenwood)
David Irish (Ken Moody)
Uriah Boston, Poughkeepsie barber (Dan Jones)

Dutchess Antislavery Singers (Ashley Alter, Shanna Andrawis, Rebecca Edwards, John
McCleary, Jim Mandracchia, Catherine Monian, Linda Riedeburg)

Ushers: Mary Bagley, Verna Carr, Jacqueline Harper, Anita Jones, Lorraine Roberts

Setting: July 13, 1863, late afternoon after the first day of draft riots in New York City--news has just come in over the wires; members of the Catherine Street AME Zion Church are seeking volunteers, tonight, men who will arm themselves and help guard the church building against mobs that are expected to swarm the streets in response to the New York protests. Emancipation Proclamation has been in effect since January 1, but the war is not yet won; news of the Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg (July 4) were received last week.

Opening music: "I Am an Abolitionist" (tenor solo with chorus--John McCleary)

Dudley introduces himself and the historical moment and proposes, at this historic juncture, to review the rise of antislavery in this part of the Hudson Valley, to reaffirm the antislavery doctrine and gather determination at this critical moment in the fight for freedom. He notes that the beginning of the story was this: there was slavery here in New York, until the late 1820s.

A lady of Poughkeepsie reads a brief excerpt from the narrative of Sojourner Truth (who is now in Washington, DC, aiding the Union cause, the soldiers' hospitals, and refugees from the South).

Music (solo): "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" (solo--Jim Mandracchia)

Dudley: Many sought freedom through the Underground Railroad (a few words on that). After slavery ended in New York, there were residents of Poughkeepsie and Dutchess County who fled from the South and settled here. Among them was Samuel Ringgold Ward, an outspoken leader who spoke to the conscience of this community. (Dudley notes that Ward moved to Jamaica, embittered by the failure of America to end slavery, and unfortunately died there a few years ago.)
A gentleman of Poughkeepsie reads a brief excerpt from the narrative of Samuel Ringgold Ward, about his escape from the South and the conditions he found in the North.

Music: "America: A Parody" (Dutchess Antislavery Singers)

Dudley: Quakers were among the first to support the UGRR. Introduces Willets and Irish.
Deborah Willets offers brief words on her work at the Nine Partners School
David Irish reads an excerpt from one of his letters to the Liberator
Music: "Come, Come Away" (Soprano/Alto duet: Shanna Andrawis and Ashley Alter)
Dudley briefly narrates the rise of political abolition, the emerging issue of women's role in the movement (mentioning Angelina Grimke's speech in Poughkeepsie) and the turn toward party politics (Liberty Party, Free Soil); with leadership from Samuel Ringgold Ward and many others, most Dutchess abolitionists took the political tack: "We Support No Man Who Votes Against Freedom."
Music: "Get Off the Track!" (NOTE: We may need to say a few words about politics so the audience can make sense of the references to Clay, Polk, etc. Maybe one of the Singers can say a few words, drawing from our Schenectady script.)
Dudley briefly narratives the coming of the war and Emancipation; introduces Uriah Boston and discusses the broader struggle for education, suffrage, and civil rights that has been going on for decades in black communities in the North.
Uriah Boston: excerpt from his letter on black suffrage, from the Colored American
[IF we have any quotes from one of the 16 FCC men--mostly abolitionists--who served in the Civil War, or more information about them, that would be a perfect ending. A bit more digging in church records might yield something. Dudley could end with this information, and a call to continue the fight to the end--supporting our brave boys in blue; helping refugees from slavery; and pushing the Republican Party in its resolve to ensure victory, Emancipation, and rights for the freedmen.]
Concluding Music: "The President's Proclamation" (John Brown's Body) with the whole audience joining in the last verse