Revisiting ‘The Artistry and Activism of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper’
Theatrical dance program celebrating abolitionist author’s legacy to make Penn State debut Sept. 19 at Eisenhower Auditorium
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025)—Choreographer Lynnette Young Overby highlights the Black American experience with a new theatrical dance work. Pairing Overby’s dramatic choreography with the author’s own words, “The Artistry and Activism of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper” brings to life 19th century Black stories, literature and civil rights history in an engaging, living portrait.
After its University of Delaware premiere, the piece will make its local debut at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, in Eisenhower Auditorium.
Tickets are $14 and are available for purchase online. Tickets are also available by calling 814-863-0255 or in person, weekdays 10 a.m.–4 p.m., at Eisenhower Auditorium. Avoid the $4-per-ticket online service fee by calling 814-863-0255; or buying in person from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays at Eisenhower Auditorium.
After the performance, the artist will speak with interested audience members. Visit Frances Harper online for more information and to purchase tickets.
The production is part of “Frances E. W. Harper: Looking Back, Moving Forward 1825–2025,” a symposium from Sept. 19–21 hosted by Penn State’s Center for Black Digital Research and the Africana Research Center. Visit Colored Conventions Project online for more information about the symposium.
The intersection of civil rights history, feminism and performance art
Harper was a prolific abolitionist author and figure who was born free in Baltimore in 1825 and orphaned a few years later. She was raised by relatives in Philadelphia, and at a young age, she started her storied writing career and published anti-slavery journal entries, miscellaneous poems, essays on being a Black woman in America, short stories dissecting religious tropes and more. She was one of the first Black women to see her anti-slavery written works published in the United States.
The “Artistry and Activism” program includes:
- Harper’s poems “Blessed Hope,” “Slave Mother” and “Sketches of a Southern Life”; her novel, ”Iola Leroy”; the short story ”The Two Offers”; and the lecture ”We are All Bound Up Together”;
- original poems by Glenis Redmond;
- original music by Ralph Russell, David Horton and Vianne Reay; and
- the song “Every Time I Feel the Spirit,” by Arreon Harley-Emerson, Penn State School of Music assistant professor of choral music and Essence of Joy director.
“It’s historical,” Overby said of the program in a University of Delaware interview. “It helps us to see where we are today, based on where we came from, the issues that were prevalent at that time and how they continue to have an impact on who we are today.“
ACCESSIBILITY
American Sign Language interpretation
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for this performance. Contact the Arts Ticket Center via email or by calling 814-863‑2727, ext. 3, by Friday, Sept. 6, to discuss ASL seating preferences.
Discounts
Visit Discounts for information on available ticket-discount programs, including the Arts Engagement Family Program, a free ticket program for Penn State students and a ticket discount for Penn State employees.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ASL support provided by
Shih-In Ma
Accessibility services supported by
Sidney and Helen S. Friedman Endowment
Support for the Arts Engagement Family Program provided by
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
William E. McTurk Endowment for Program Support
A grant from the University Park Fee Board makes student prices possible.
This event is presented in collaboration with Penn State College of the Liberal Arts Center for Black Digital Research. #DigBlk
FIND US
The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State aspires to create connected, sustainable, and equitable communities, where everyone experiences joy, belonging and creativity.
For more information about the season, visit the Center for the Performing Arts online, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.