‘Still’ – A new play by Benjamin V. Marshall
The new season of Premiere Stages at Kean University opens with with a powerful production of Benjamin V. Marshall's play Still. This play is the true story of William Still, a man who ran an abolitionist office in Philadelphia. Kept under wraps but shown in this play is the work he does as an African American leader in the Underground Railroad. It is said that he helped over 600 slaves escape to freedom. The intensity of all that these pieces of Still's life entails is brought out through fine theatrical crafting including the use of well written dialog and strong theatrical components.
This play was a recipient of the 2023/24 Liberty Live Commission. According to information about the program on their website, Premiere Stages accepts proposals from New Jersey playwrights for plays that explore compelling stories about a historical event or events. The proposed script must explore a topic from New Jersey history.
Still fits all these categories and descriptions very well as the it is based on true events in 1850s New Jersey.
How the Story is Told
The play opens as a griot dressed in well adorned garb enters center stage and begins the story. This use of the African tribal storytellers occurs three times in the play. It provides a very clever connection to the way stories were preserved in the past through oral traditions and the more updated method of writing them down that William Still uses throughout the play to preserve stories.
We meet the two main characters who are William Still (Carl Hendrick Louis) and Peter Friedman (Brian D. Coats). Peter enters Still’s office a bit hesitantly and begins a conversation with him.
The first meeting between Still and Friedman – Photo by Mike Peters
He explains that he is looking for his family. This is no easy task to accomplish as Peter, who is now a free man, had been a slave. Part of his family left him on the plantation when they fled to the north for freedom. There isn’t much to go on but William and Peter talk over many incidents that Peter recalls to create a search. Theater crafting is on fine display in these sections of the play as well written dialog is expertly performed by actors Hendricks and Coates.
It is critical to notes that as they talk, William writes to record what Peter tells him in a journal style book. This journal become a major source of information after the Civil War because he documented the stories of formerly enslaved Africans who gained their freedom by escaping bondage.
When the first act comes to a close, there is a very beautiful moment between the two and they discover an important relationship they have. This revelation leads to the second act where more about Peter’s family comes out.
The Use of Silhouettes
An example of the use of silhouettes in Still – photo by Mike Peters
An additional powerful theatrical touch is employed by the use of silhouettes showing characters acting and speaking to add to the storytelling. Playwright Marshall describes this method in his Notes as a technique that evokes “the period of the 1850s and earlier eras. Kara Walker, the contemporary artist, is known for her use of silhouettes to comment on racial injustices of the past.” Mr. Marshall explains that the silhouettes allow violence and brutality to be used without crossing the line into exploitation. Rather than just speaking the story between two characters, this technique allows a cast member to depict a character and give the words from that person being represented. And there are some very rough moments described in these stories of tragic events endured by slaves.
A Family Reunites and One of Them Provides Historic Information
The second act shows scenes that take place in Burlington County, New Jersey, where the Still family home is. It would spoil all the surprises that play discloses to tell more than that. However, it can be said that it is a very joyous conclusion with an outstanding scene at the end. The importance of family bonds and the love shared is one of the most important themes of this play.
Another important point to be noted is that William Stills recognized the value of keeping written records of the people he met and helped both as a part of the Underground Railroad and from his office in Philadelphia. He helped hundreds of people escape slavery. His note taking and recording of their stories led to his self-published book The Underground Railroad (1872). The book remains one of the most important documents of what slaves went through to escape to freedom. From oral history shown in the beginning of the show by griots to hand written notes taken for publication in books, a full circle of the importance of preserving historic information is an important message this play conveys.
Director and Cast
Still is directed by Marshall Jones III. His direction brings this true story through some tumultuous moments and leads it to a satisfying conclusion.
In addition to Brian D. Coates and Carl Hendrik Louis previously mentioned, the play features the following actors: Ashley Nicole Baptiste, D. Malik Beckford, Perri Gaffney (Charity), and Nafeesa Monroe. This cast does an outstanding job of developing their characters as they play several roles.
To Attend the Show
Still runs July 11-July 28, 2024 in the Bauer Boucher Theatre Center on the Kean University main campus in Union, N.J. The performance schedule is Thursday, July 11 at 7:30pm, Thursdays, July 18 and 25 at 1:30pm, Fridays at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 3:00pm & 8:00pm and Sundays at 3:00pm.
To make reservations, please call the box office at 908-737-7469 or visit Premiere Stages at premierestagesatkean.com
To Learn More about Still
Still is a well produced play which has historic and cultural value. I encourage you to go to see it. Before going, or even after you have seen it, take some time to learn more about this amazing piece of history. Here are a few suggestions:
Take a look at a video created by Discover Jersey Arts on YouTube and posted here. You will hear important background information about the show from Benjamin V. Marshall, the playwright. Director Marshall Jones III provides insights into the theatricality of the play. Also shown are actors Carl Hendrick Louis (William Still) and Brian D. Coates (Peter Friedman) who provide character insights along with a few scenes from rehearsals.
Visit the Premiere Stages lobby and look at the information boards there. You will read about William Still, The Underground Railroad, and a timeline of events of the era.
One lobby information board – Photo by K. Nowosad
Audience members are invited to engage more deeply with Mr. Marshall’s play in Premiere’s free Community Connections following select matinee (3:00pm) performances. Three historical institutions will lead talkbacks: the Dr. James Still Historic Office Site and Education Center (Saturday, July 20) and the New Jersey Historical Commission with Liberty Hall Museum (Sunday, July 21).
Theater goers can learn more about the creative process with featured post-show speakers Playwright Benjamin V. Marshall and DirectorMarshall Jones III (Sunday, July 11) and the cast of Still (Saturday, July 27).
Dates and speakers are subject to change; please call 908-737-4077 or visit premierestagesatkean.com for an updated schedule of post-show events and speakers.
Final Notes
The professional design team includes Set Designer David M. Barber, Costume Designer Ali Turns, Lighting Designer Zack Gage, Projection Designer Taj Rauch.
Additional design team include Sound Designers David Wright and Nicole Schwarz, Hair and Make-up Designer Rachelle Dorce, and Mask Designer Marlon Campbell.
Casting is by Stephanie Klapper, CSA. Dale Smallwood is the Production Stage Manager.
