MARY SPEAKS

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Photo/Lia Chang

MARY SPEAKS:
The Virtual Experience

In this play, the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is used as a parallel to explore the history of black mothers and their sons from slavery to present day. Mother Mary becomes a prototype for the struggle that black mothers have to raise their sons and keep them alive in a society where their very existence is seen as a threat and they can quickly become a crucified black body. Through monologues, songs, spoken word, and dance, we follow mother and son.  Writer and Performer, Angela Polite takes us on a journey from the auction block, Jim Crow South, through the Great Migration, segregation to present day.  

This play has become especially relevant since the killing of George Floyd in May 2020.  His death sparked national and international protests and a racial reckoning for the times. This curated experience is an opportunity to bring theater back to the people and let it do what it does best; promote social discourse, connect the community, and hold space for conversation and healing.

As the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism flared through our cities last summer, Angela responded by creating a 52-minute filmed version titled, "Mary Speaks: The Virtual Experience." Throughout 2021, the show will go on a "virtual tour" of cities across North America with the intention of creating dialogue, healing, and change. If you are interested in partnering with Grits Entertainment to bring this powerful piece of digital theater to your community, we’d love to connect with you.

MEET THE CHARACTERS…

  • YOUNG MARY

  • MOTHER MARY

  • GRANDMA

    Photos/Lia Chang

  • PREACHER

  • ETHEL

  • TONYA

  • MARY MARY QUITE CONTRARY

WE AIM TO EDUCATE & EMANCIPATE.

As theaters nationwide move to address the stark inequity that exists within the industry MARY SPEAKS seeks to dismantle the status quo. 

Photo/Phillip Weiss
 
 

EDUCATIONAL TOOLS FOR ENGAGEMENT

 

Custom educational tools for engagement can be created upon request.

 
 
 

MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM…

 
 

ANGELA POLITE *

Writer/Performer

I would easily describe myself as a Renaissance woman. My many talents and areas of knowledge were nurtured early on by my loving family and church community. I was the kid who was good in her books, had a love for black history, and could sing, act and dance. As a result, I was asked to perform often at Sunday afternoon church programs throughout the city. With the help of my mother, I prepared diligently.

I recall putting my act together; researching some poem or song from one of the greats and figuring out how to make it my own, thinking about who was going to be there and how I was going to draw them in, getting nervous as I practiced for my act but realizing I could do it and finally, deciding what to do with the ten dollars that I was going to earn at the end. Yes, I was actually paid. Looking back, I realize those early performances are what seeded my desire to become a Producing Artist.

I am Angela Polite, an actor, playwright, producer, educator, and advocate; a New Renaissance woman.

Director
Christopher Burris

Music Director, Arrangements
Jeff Bolding

Director of Photography
Hans Charles

Set Design
Sabrina Bianca Guillaume

Costume Design
Sabrina Bianca Guillaume

Lighting Design
Carolina Ortiz

Sound Design
Erica Blunt

Movement Coach
Tiffany Rea-Fisher

Production Stage Manager
Ada Zhang*

Web Design and Marketing
Jessica Speight


EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS:
Grits Entertainment, LLC &
Julia Beardsley O’Brien
PRODUCERS:
David & Anita Massengill,
Michael & Whit Cook,
Brad Reeves,
MORE Partnerships

 
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* Appearing through an Agreement between Grits Entertainment, LLC, and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.




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