Facing the Shadow
An original work based on historical events, by American playwright Shelia Payton.​
Just before the outbreak of the Civil War, the monthly meeting of a literary society is interrupted by two uninvited guests: a young runaway slave and a relentless bounty hunter.
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Their Victorian manners, time to enjoy delicate finger sandwiches, relax and catch up on what's new and interesting are shattered by the arrival of two unexpected visitors: a young runaway slave and a relentless bounty hunter.
It becomes clear their own freedom is an illusion, and the price is one they don't want to pay.
Synopsis
Baltimore, 1859—two years before the outbreak of the Civil War.
Alice Adams, a third-generation free woman of color prepares to host the weekly gathering of her friends, the Free Women of Color Literary Society.
Their Victorian manners, delicate finger sandwiches and weekly gossip are shattered by the arrival of two unexpected visitors: a young runaway slave and a relentless bounty hunter.
It becomes clear their own freedom is an illusion, and the price is one they may not be willing to pay.
Production History
The full development/production history for Facing the Shadow is:
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First staged reading: October 3, 2009. Milwaukee, WI. Director: Sheri Williams Pannell.
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Staged reading: May 7, 2012. August Wilson Center, Pittsburgh, PA. Mark Southers, Artistic Director (Part of the Center’s reading series.) Director: Rita Gregory
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Staged reading: June 4, 2012. Milwaukee Artist Resource Network (MARN), Milwaukee, WI. Director: Sheri Williams Pannell.
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Full production: November 1-11, 2012. The Black Rep in association with the Missouri History Museum’s 150th anniversary commemoration of the Civil War. St. Louis, MO. Director: Linda Kennedy.
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Staged Reading: March 22, 2014. 5th POTPOURRI! World Women Works Series: New Plays by Emerging and Seasoned Playwrights. (RHYTHMCOLOR Associates in association with Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group, Inc.) St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, NY. Director: Jeannine Foster Mckevia
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Staged Reading: Oct. 9, 2019, Inaugural Out-the-Box New Play Festival, Chicago Dramatists, Director: Clarke Smith
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Staged Reading: Oct. 21, 2019, Bronzeville Arts Ensemble, St. John’s on the Lake (an “Enriched Retirement Living” community) as part of its Live @ Saint John’s arts series, Milwaukee, WI, Director: Sheri Williams Pannell
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Staged Reading: Dec. 10, 2023, Inaugural Telling Humans Play Festival, Chicago Dramatists, Chicago, IL, Director: Clarke Smith
About Shelia Payton
Shelia Payton is an author, playwright, librettist and lyricist living in Milwaukee, WI.
Her theatrical works include FACING THE SHADOW, which was staged by The Black Rep in St. Louis as part of the Missouri History Museum’s 150th anniversary commemoration of the Civil War; and an African/African American-themed opera, BLACK CAESAR, based on the true story of a 17th century pirate. The score for the copyrighted work was written by the late Neal Tate, the first African American music director on Broadway.
Shelia’s penchant as a playwright is to create character-driven stories filtered through the prism of the many interesting and compelling untold stories from African American life, history and culture; and to do so in a way that both moves the story forward, and helps the audience see past differences and connect with the characters.
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Shelia is a member of Chicago Dramatists.
