Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.
WaterFire and Mixed Magic Theatre present a staged reading of “THE TRIAL OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS” written and directed by Ricardo Pitts-Wiley.

In “The Trial Of Frederick Douglass,” the celebrated Black American abolitionist and author has been summoned from the grave to be vetted for a great honor that he has been nominated for. The process will be televised live on a popular talk show.

Two other famous figures have also been summoned. The fiery abolitionist John Brown will chair the vetting process while Abe Lincoln has been called to serve as Douglass’ advocate and council.

John Brown, who has arrived early, has been reading Shakespeare’s Hamlet and compares Douglass, Lincoln and himself to three characters from the play. He sees Lincoln as the deliberative and slow to act Hamlet, Douglass as the passionate Player King, and Brown sees himself as the defiant and often overlooked Fortinbras.

The show’s host is a young Black woman named Ophelia who is experiencing issues of her own.

Tensions run high in the waiting area in the studio as the three men put Douglass and each other on trial for things they did and didn’t do and debate how history has defined them.

$10 admission (in advance or at the door) | RSVP on Eventbrite via Mixed Magic Theater | Share on Facebook
Donations encouraged.