From Beyond: Geneva’s Unheard Voices (A Theatrical Walking Tour)
During the summer of 2021, four Hobart and William Smith Colleges Theatre students (Anthony Bray ‘23, Samari Brown ‘24, Sal Fabio ‘22, and Christina Roc ‘24) conducted archival research on the history of African Americans in Geneva. They then translated the stories of these un– and under-represented figures into a series of monologues and short scenes, which will be performed outdoors, in downtown Geneva by HWS and community actors on September 24 and 25. The production is directed by Associate Professor of Theatre Chris Woodworth. This is the third version of the From Beyond series by Historic Geneva and the first to focus solely on the African American community. This project was initially inspired by Make A Way Somehow: African-American Life in a Northern Community, 1790-1965 by Kathryn Grover (Syracuse UP, 1995), which documents the history of Black Genevans through archival research and oral histories.
Nancy Lucas Curlin (right) and Samari Brown as Nancy Lucas Curlin (left)
The historic figures depicted in From Beyond: Geneva’s Unheard Voices include Daniel Prue, Nancy Lucas Curlin, Marie Gray, Robert Linzy, Arthur Kenney, and Mary Georgetta Cleggett Kenney. Actors portraying historic figures include Anthony Bray, Samari Brown, Sal Fabio, Sydney Moore, Christina Roc, and Rafael Vasquez. Tour Guides are portrayed by Hannah Angelico, Henry Barton, Lily Davis, August Deimel, Derrielle Faulkner, Hannah Haines, Syed Jafri, Audrey King, Van Nguyen, Eliyah Roberts, Gabriela Rosa, and James Sarver. The design and production team consists of Ed Hallborg (Scenic and Lighting Design / Technical Director), Katharine Tarkulich (Costume Designer), Kelly Walker (Sound Design / Video Streaming), Grace Amonette (Costume Assistant), Troy Tedeschi (Stage Manager), and Hailey Adams, Ali Khan, and Berit Schönnege (Assistant Stage Managers).
Beginning at 5:30 pm, audience groups of 10-15 people will depart every 15 minutes from the back Seneca St. parking lot (behind Stomping Grounds). Each audience group will be accompanied by two actors portraying tour guides. Latecomers forfeit their spot in a tour group. The performance lasts approximately one hour and will travel the distance of approximately two blocks. There will be a few chairs available at each performance location for those that may need them. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance through Historic Geneva. Tickets will be free for all students (K-12 and college) but will still need to be reserved in advance. Advance ticket sales will close at noon on each performance day. A limited number of walk-up tickets may be available on performance nights if there are unsold tickets. All proceeds benefit Historic Geneva. Actors and production staff will be masked for the duration of the performance. Audience members are strongly encouraged to wear masks while on the tour. For those unable to attend in person, there will also be a livestream of the performance each evening at 6:00 p.m. through the HWS Theatre Facebook page. Please check https://www.facebook.com/hwstheatre for the most up-to-date information on the production, including COVID-19 safety protocols.
Watch the September 24 performance here.
Watch the September 25 performance here or here.