Play 'Quilting the Sun' Explores Harriet Powers' Life and Art at Theater for the New City
Theater for the New City hosted the premiere of Grace Cavalieri's play 'Quilting the Sun' during the Dream Up festival, under the direction of Shela Xoregos. The narrative centers on quiltmaker Harriet Powers, portrayed by Mimi B. Francis, alongside her husband Armstead, played by Dan Kelley, in Athens, Georgia. Inspired by divine influence and her deceased daughter, Harriet crafts a quilt that is purchased by white schoolteacher Jennie Smith, enacted by Taylor Lynne, for $5 of its $10 asking price. The ensemble features Andrew R. Cooksey, Jr. as the Juju Man and Sarah Kebede-Fiedler as a competing quilter. The production juxtaposes black spirituality against white racism and includes a quilt by Mary Campbell and Wendy Peck. Harriet Powers' original quilt is housed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Key facts
- The play 'Quilting the Sun' is by Grace Cavalieri and directed by Shela Xoregos
- It was presented at Theater for the New City as part of the Dream Up festival
- The drama is set in Athens, Georgia during the Reconstruction era
- It centers on the life of legendary quiltmaker Harriet Powers
- Harriet's quilt is purchased by white schoolteacher Jennie Smith for half the agreed $10
- The actual quilt by Harriet Powers is housed in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
- Grace Cavalieri is Maryland's Poet Laureate and author of numerous poetry books and plays
- The play explores themes of aesthetics, racism, and spirituality in the Deep South
Entities
Artists
- Grace Cavalieri
- Shela Xoregos
- Mimi B. Francis
- Dan Kelley
- Andrew R. Cooksey, Jr.
- Taylor Lynne
- Sarah Kebede-Fiedler
- Mary Campbell
- Wendy Peck
- Harriet Powers
Institutions
- Theater for the New City
- Dream Up festival
- Lucy Cobb School
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Locations
- Athens
- Georgia
- United States
- Paris
- France
- Boston
- Maryland