"Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" by Harriet Jacobs

The American Place Theatre - Literature to Life Stage Presentation of
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs
Performed by Cherita Armstrong
Adapted & Directed by Wynn Handman

This celebrated slave narrative includes the author's account of the seven years she spend hiding out as a fugitive in her grandmother's attic.

This Literature to Life original, adapted in 2006 was commissioned by and premiered at The New York Historical Society. The show features fifty minutes of verbatim performance. The author is the protagonist in this solo piece which illuminates in shocking fashion the traumas of slavery, particularly for women and children. The stage adaptation culminates in Harriet Jacobs' powerful and moving experiences during the seven years she spent hiding in The Loophole, a crawl space in her grandmother's attic. Audiences, having absorbed the images without sets or props, only the truth of the author's evocative words, will emerge with a visceral experience that may become an enduring part of their understanding of the "peculiar institution", slavery. Surrounded by a pre & post show discussion audiences will explore themes including resilience and survival.

The Kite Runner © 2003 by Khaled Hosseini. Published by The Berkley Publishing Group and used by permission of the author.The American Place Theatre - Literature to Life Stage Presentation of
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Performed by Sorab Wadia
Adapted & Directed by Wynn Handman

From the first novel about contemporary Afghanistan to be written in English, this performance dramatically portrays the relationship of two boys - Amir, a privileged Pashtun and Hassan, a Hazara servant. Surprising events occur with the backdrop of 1970's Afghanistan in turmoil.

This Literature to Life award winner, adapted for the stage in 2004 features fifty minutes of verbatim performance from the first half of this best selling contemporary novel. The adaptation mirrors the original short story written by the author and utilizes original Afghani music as a backdrop for the performance. A favorite on the national educational circuit, The Kite Runner has played in communities from California to Massachusetts. Through the eyes of the young protagonist, Amir, the actor takes us on a heartbreaking journey of friendship and betrayal in a society of severe class division. We meet upwards of eight characters, each fully realized by this virtuosic performer. Surrounded by a pre and post show interactive discussion the audience will explore themes including redemption and class systems.