Tag Archives: Out of the Vineyard

Prince George’s Community College presents Out of the Vineyard, Feb 19-26

Prince George’s Community College presents Out of the Vineyard, Feb 19-26

Prince George’s Community College presents:
Out of the Vineyard
by Psalmayene 24

February 19 – 26, 2025
Wednesday, February 19th at 6:30 PM
Friday, February 21st at 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 22nd at 3:00 PM
Saturday, February 22nd at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, February 26th at 3:00 PM

Location: Prince George’s Community College.

Center for Performing Arts, 301 Largo Road Largo, MD 20774

A vivid, deeply-researched narrative constructed from interviews with descendants of enslaved families and individuals. Through powerful imagery and movement, “Out of the Vineyard” brushes against the grain of history to bring the experiences of freedom-making from enslavement to life.

“Out of the Vineyard (OOTV)” was written by esteemed playwright Psalmayene 24, who masterfully adapts the groundbreaking historical work “A Question of Freedom: The Families Who Challenged Slavery from the Nation’s Founding to Civil War” by historian William G. Thomas III for the stage.

The play highlights the families, names, and places, illuminating stories of quests for freedom and opportunity against systematic racism. By exploring how slavery has shaped our societies and by encouraging audiences to think critically about the legacy of hiding the details of history, “Out of the Vineyard” promotes a deeper understanding of the issues facing us today. The play inspires audiences to work toward a more just and equitable future.

Unraveling over seven decades, the enslaved families of Prince George’s County, Maryland, including the Butlers, Queens, Mahoneys, Bells, and more, embarked on a relentless legal quest for freedom. These brave families confronted formidable slavery within the court system, leading their crusade to the highest echelons of justice: the Supreme Court.

Tickets $40 General, or $10 Students, click here.

Out of the Vineyard at Joe’s Movement Emporium, Oct 22

Out of the Vineyard at Joe’s Movement Emporium, Oct 22

You are invited to a fundraising reception for
Out of the Vineyard
by Psalmayene 24
directed by Tony Thomas

Tueday, October 22, 2024, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Location: Joe’s Movement Emporium.

You are cordially invited to a reception of the play Out of the Vineyard, written by Psalmayene 24 and directed by Tony Thomas to support a tour to reach 3000 middle and high school students across the region. Gather at the home of Andy and Marjan Shallal on Tuesday, October 22nd from 6 – 8 pm to learn about a play exploring the history of freedom-making that changes the narrative of history in Prince George’s County and the region. 

We are raising funds to support the cost of touring the production and specifically to fund 62 buses that cost $315 each to transport PGCPS students to PGCC and other venues to attend the play.

Celebrate the journey of this commissioned play with an evening of fellowship and art!

Tickets, click here.

Out of the Vineyard at Joe’s Movement Emporium, Sep 8-24

Out of the Vineyard at Joe’s Movement Emporium, Sep 8-24

Joe’s Movement Emporium presents:
Out of the Vineyard
by Psalmayene 24

Opening Night! Friday September 8, 2023 7:30 pm
Saturday September 9, 2023 3 pm
Saturday September 9, 2023 7:30 pm
Sunday September 10, 2023 3 pm
Wednesday September 13, 2023 7:30 pm
Thursday September 14, 2023 11 am
Thursday September 14, 2023 7:30 pm
Friday September 15, 2023 11 am
Friday September 15, 2023 7:30 pm
Saturday September 16, 2023 3 pm
Saturday September 16, 2023 7:30 pm
Sunday September 17, 2023 3 pm
Monday September 18, 2023 7:30 pm
Wednesday September 20, 2023 7:30 pm
Thursday September 21, 2023 7:30 pm
Friday September 22, 2023 11 am
Friday September 22, 2023 7:30 pm
Saturday September 23, 2023 3 pm
Saturday September 23, 2023 7:30 pm
Sunday September 24, 2023 3 pm

Location: Joe’s Movement Emporium.

Over the last year, we dug deeper into the Freedom Stories Initiative alongside playwright Psalmayene 24 (Psalm), who was inspired by Dr. William G. Thomas’ book of history “A Question of Freedom”. The book follows the story of the longest and most complex legal challenge to slavery in American history. Psalm referenced Prince George’s County’s rich history as he created the play Out of the Vineyard, weaving together monologues that excavate a buried chapter in American history while illuminating how the legacy of slavery still affects us.

Out of the Vineyard is directed by director-choreographer Tony Thomas and features actors Scott Abernethy, Frank Britton, Adrienne Nelson, and Jacqueline Youm. The design team includes costume designer Jeannette Christensen, sound design by Nick Hernandez, lighting design by Luis Garcia, set design by Shartoya Jn. Baptiste, and media design by Christian Henriquez. The production will be stage managed by Kate Kilbane.

The Freedom Stories initiative is a program partnership between Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights, and Joe’s Movement Emporium. The commissioned play Out of the Vineyard is made possible by the generous support of PGCMLS Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Busboys and Poets, Maryland Humanities Counsel, if, A Foundation for Radical Possibility, Maryland Milestones, National Endowment for the Arts, Adelphi Friends Meeting, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, and individual donors.

The premiere of Out of the Vineyard will take place from Friday, September 8th to Sunday, September 24th at Joe’s Movement Emporium. Each performance will have a post-show discussion with guest facilitators.

*Recommended for audiences ages 10+, with some adult language and discussions of systemic racism.

Adults $40, Student/Senior/Veteran $25. Click here.

Out of the Vineyard at Prince George’s Community College, Jan 14

Out of the Vineyard at Prince George’s Community College, Jan 14

Prince George’s Community College presents:
Out of the Vineyard: A Staged Reading
By Psalemyene 24

Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 6:00 PM

Location: Prince George’s Community College, In Person.

Center for Performing Arts, 301 Largo Road Largo, MD 20774

Playwright Psalmeyene 24 and Director Tony Thomas come together to bring a captivating stage play to the arts community. Come together to witness the beginnings of “Out of the Vineyard” in the staged reading of this commissioned play inspired by the book, “A Question of Freedom” by William G. Thomas.

Based on interviews with descendants of enslaved families and people connected to the history of freedom suits in Prince George’s County, “Out of the Vineyard” weaves together monologues that excavate a buried chapter in American history while illuminating how the legacy of slavery still affects us today.

The initiative is a program partnership between Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights, Joe’s Movement Emporium, and other organizations.

Tickets: free, registration required. here.

Out of the Vineyard at Joe’s Movement Emporium, Nov 20

Out of the Vineyard at Joe’s Movement Emporium, Nov 20

Freedom Stories Workshop: Out of The Vineyard
by Psalmeyene
directed by Raymond Caldwell

Sunday, November 20th at 3 PM

Location: Joe’s Movement Emporium.

Playwright Psalmeyene and Director Raymond Caldwell come together to bring a captivating stage play to the arts community. Come together to witness the beginnings of, Out of the Vineyard in the workshop of this commissioned play inspired by the book, A Question of Freedom by William G. Thomas.

Based on interviews with descendants of enslaved families and people connected to the history of freedom suits in Prince George’s County, Out of the Vineyard weaves together monologues that excavate a buried chapter in American history while illuminating how the legacy of slavery still affects us today.

Tickets: Free admission with ticket. Click here.