"Out of the Vineyard," a play based on the research of historian Will Thomas, premieres September 8 at Joe's Movement Emporium in Maryland and runs through September 24.
Written by Psalmayene 24, the work was developed from Thomas' book A Question of Freedom: The Families who Challenged Slavery from the Nation’s Founding to Civil War, which was constructed through interviews with descendants of enslaved families and people connected to the history of freedom suits, including those in Prince George's County, Maryland.
Each showing of the play will feature a post-show discussion. The play is part of the "Freedom Stories Initiative," which was inspired by Thomas' book and is examining the local and national legacy of slavery.
Thomas is the Angle Chair in the Humanities and professor in the Department of History within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He is also an associate dean in the college's Dean's Office.
Published by Yale University Press in 2020, the book has additionally received the 2021 Mark Lynton History Prize and was named a finalist for the George Washington Prize.
A trailer is available on Vimeo.
