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AVAILABLE FOR LICENSING
for Black History Month and beyond...
MOVEMENT' Plays
'Movement' plays are a seven-play cycle which depict historical moments from 1955 to 1968. The height of the civil rights era where youth were lynched, tortured and murdered as a general practice by those afraid of what integration and equality would bring. An era where youth stood-up, sat down and regularly placed themselves in harms way to effect a change for their lives and the lives of others; a time where youth were at the forefront of and instrumental in impacting change.
Each 'Movement' play is a one-act play that focuses on the actions by or against young people that changed the course of not only their lives, but history. Through these 'Movement' plays,Nicole Kearney applauds the fearlessness, honors the memories and tells the stories of those youth who by intention or misfortune gave up their lives, their innocence, and their safety to pave a path that I and others now walk and our children may follow.
It is her hope that people will be engaged enough by these ‘Movement' plays that they will want to find out more, by reading, watching documentaries, or seeking out other materials that will tell them more about the persons, circumstances depicted in the ‘Movement' plays , and about the civil rights era of history.
COMING FEBRUARY 2010 MOVEMENT PLAY #5"THE RISE OF BLACK POWER"
February 7 -22, 2009 - FOOTSOLDIERS FOR FREEDOM: THE BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S MARCH, 3:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. Karamu House, Arena Theater, Cleveland, Ohio. Directeed by Raquel Robinson
In May 1963, thousands of Black youth took action by marching in non-violent protests against the segregation laws in Birmingham, Alabama. In retailation, Bull Conner, Commissioner of Public Safety ordered the police force and fire department to turn attack dogs and fire hoses (with strength to peel off tree bark) on the children, as the world watched in shock. However, this violence didn't deter the children. They continued to be foot soldiers for freedom, placing themselves on the front lines. Their courage and persistance changed the course of history as Birmingham's children march succeeded in ending segregation in Birmingham.
 January 27 - February 18, 2007 - A Down Payment on Manhood: The Greensboro Four, 2:00 p.m., Karamu House Jelliffe Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio. Saturdays and Sundays eight shows. Directed by Kimberly L. Brown---The third 'Movement Play' installment, A Down Payment on Manhood: The Greensboro Four takes place in 1960 where four African American males, freshman at North Carolina A&T University took a stand for their dignity and civil rights by staging a sit-in at the ‘white only’ lunch counter of the Woolworth's in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina, after the store refused to serve them. This historical incident inspired similar student movements across the South, helping to abolish segregation at eating establishments. These four young men are considered pioneers in the civil rights movement who reignited a stalled Civil Rights Movement and inspired young people across the country to get involved in the movement. (Photo: www.greensboro.com/sitins/timeline-state.htm) To view a clip of this play click here
 The first 'Movement' play, The Little Boy Who Shook Up The World: The Emmett Till Story transports the audience back to 1955, Money, Mississippi on the fateful August day when Emmett Till, a 14-year old Black boy from Chicago who is visiting relatives in Mississippi for the summer goes to a local market. What happened next no one truly knows. Carolyn Bryant, the white female store clerk alleges Emmett whistled, made an improper remark and touched her.
Her accusation prompts Roy Bryant, her husband and his step-brother, J.W. (James) Milam to kidnap and lynch Emmett. Emmett’s lynching and the subsequent trial thrust the scrutiny of the nation upon Mississippi, becoming a catalyst for the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement.
The Little Boy Who Shook Up The World allows the audience to hear the accounts of Emmett Till, the victim; Mamie Till Bradley, Emmett’s mother; Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam, the two white men accused of kidnapping and lynching Emmett Till.
The play’s World Premiere was at Karamu House in Cleveland, Ohio, performed by the Youth Theatre under the direction of Ms. Kimberly Brown. The ten show run (Sat/Suns in February at 2:00 p.m.) opened Saturday, February 5, 2005 (it was sold out, as were the February 19 and 20th shows and extended two extra shows due to demand). The play had a Midwest Premiere – Saturday, February 26, 2005, for two shows (12:00 and 2:30 p.m.) at The Madame C. J. Walker Theatre in Indianapolis, Indiana. Additionally, The Emmett Till Story enjoyed a revival performance for a six show run in February – March 2006 at Karamu House. Revival Directed by February 18 - March 5, 2006, Saturdays@ 12 noon and Sundays @11am. at Karamu House’s historic Jelliffe Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio.
 Breaking Barriers: Little Rock Nine by Nicole C. Kearney, Directed by Kimberly L. Brown - World Premier - February 11- March 5, 2006, Saturdays @ 2 pm & Sundays @ 1 pm at Karamu House’s historic Jelliffe Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio.
Breaking Barriers: Little Rock Nine, the second play in the ten-play ‘Movement Play’ cycle is told from the perspective of the nine students who integrated Central High School, in Little Rock, Arkansas, in September, 1957, amid much violence, hatred and protest. Join these famous "nine" students, their parents, and their protector Ms. Daisy Bates as they meet for the first time after they are chosen. As these nine students bond over the common desire for a better education, they begin to realize the impact it has on American society. Hear personal perspectives from Little Rock and the nation as the drama unfolds for those nine young Black students. is based on the Little Rock Nine. This play will be told from the perspective of the nine students who integrated Central High School, in Little Rock, Arkansas, in September, 1957, amid much violence, hatred and protest. Join the “nine”, their parents, and their protector, Ms. Daisy Bates as they meet after they are chosen. How the “nine” bond over the common desire to want a better education, while not fully realizing the impact it would have.
Also produced May 16, 2009, by Indianapolis NAACP as part of their 100th Anniversary celebration at Crispus Attucks Middle School, Indianapolis, IN 2:30 p.m Directed by Charla Thomas, cast Broad Ripple High School Performing Arts Students
AVAILABLE FOR LICENSING - So if your school, group or theater is interested in this play, please feel free to contact me at nicoleckearney@yahoo.com
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