Virginia Playwright Sheri Bailey Uses Theater to Explore Slavery's Legacy and Foster Healing

Sheri Bailey's Theatrical Approach to History

• 🎭 For nearly three decades, Sheri Bailey has used theater to confront painful historical realities, creating new worlds on stage.
• 💡 Her play "Southern Girls" co-written with Dura Temple Curry, follows six girls, three Black and three white, from childhood into adulthood, exploring their shared experiences.

Hampton Roads: A Nexus of Slavery and Freedom

• ⚓ Virginia, particularly the Hampton Roads area, is central to the story of slavery and freedom in America.
• 🗓️ Key historical moments include the arrival of Africans at Fort Monroe in 1619 and the 1861 self-emancipation of three men who sought asylum there, marking a turning point in the fight against slavery.

Theater as a Tool for Racial Healing

• 🤝 Bailey believes that bringing people together through theater in a non-threatening way is crucial for tackling difficult issues.
• 🏛️ Her play "Abolitionist Museum" features historical figures as wax figures debating the Confederate flag, sparking dialogue.
• 🗣️ A powerful moment occurred when a descendant of a Nat Turner insurrection victim shared her family's loss, leading to a profound post-show conversation among participants with diverse perspectives.

Addressing Historical Revisionism and Promoting Healing

• 🚫 Bailey emphasizes the importance of confronting America's legacy of slavery without shame or blame, focusing on healing from past trauma.
• ✍️ She notes a significant effort to rewrite, suppress, and change historical narratives, underscoring the necessity of her work.
• ✅ Her organization, Juneteenth VA, aims to continue this vital work of education and reconciliation.