So Help Me God: READING
October 26, 2024 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Overview
Part of the RAW STAGES NEW WORKS FESTIVAL
So Help Me God
by Lester Mayers
directed by Vanessa Brooke Agnes
dramaturgy by Vinecia Coleman
stage managed by Keara Lavandowska
Saturday, October 26, 1 pm
So Help Me God is a powerful depiction of Lena O. Smith's extraordinary life, showcasing her journey as the first Black woman lawyer and President of the NAACP in the 1920s. The play explores her personal growth, triumphs, and legal battles, focusing on a landmark case where she represented an African American family facing racial violence in an all-white neighborhood. As "the negotiator" and "Fearless and from the West," Smith fearlessly confronted systemic obstacles to African American rights during a time of rampant violence. The production also sheds light on the suppression of women, offering an empowering portrayal of a trailblazing woman ahead of her time.
So Help Me God: READING