NC Black Repertory Company’s “The Resurrection of Alice”

The Resurrection of Alice was filmed on the Schaefer Center stage exclusively for this series!

The Resurrection of Alice is a novel and play inspired by the countless forgotten lives of young, black girls who found themselves in arranged marriages to men that were usually community pillars, financially comfortable and old enough to be their grandfathers. This type of arrangement, prevalent throughout many countries and cultures, was once a fairly common practice amongst African Americans through the mid-1900s.

In rural 1948 South Carolina, 15-year-old Alice looks forward to graduating from high school (a family first) and attending college on the scholarship she has earned. But her plans are devastated when she learns that she must honor her parents’ secret marriage arrangements for her to Luthern Tucker, the lonely, old family benefactor who had been eyeing her since she was seven years old. Alice’s next 20 years of overcoming trials are a tribute to the power of nurturing and healing that can cause a broken spirit to be reborn. 

Because the tradition of arranged nuptials continues, The Resurrection of Alice has a contemporary, universal social appeal to anyone seeking to understand how and why this tradition remains as well as some possible emotional, psychological, and physical tolls that may plague both the betrothed and their families, if the union is not a happy one.

The Resurrection of Alice is recommended for ages 12 and older. It’s an adventure that informs, enlightens, excites, and inspires through characters that will stay with you long after the story ends.

Related Links: ncblackrep.org

Schaefer Center Presents Virtual Event logo
north carolina black repertory company

The Resurrection of Alice
Written and Performed by Perri Gaffney
Directed by Jackie Alexander

LOCATION: Online event; a private link to access the performance will be sent to registrants 1 hour prior to the event
DATE/TIME: Oct. 29 at 8pm
LENGTH OF SHOW: 90 minutes, no intermission
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the Box Office at
theschaefercenter@appstate.edu
800-841-2787 or 828-262-4046

Event is FREE, but registration is required. Online registration will close 3 hours prior to event. Late registrants must call the Box Office directly at 800-841-2787 or 828-262-4046.

Or register by calling the Box Office directly at 800-841-2787 or 828-262-4046.

Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, The Schaefer Center Presents is able to offer the fall series free of charge. To help us continue our mission of meeting the needs of our university students, faculty/staff, and the community at large during this time when high-quality arts programming is more critical and essential than ever, please consider making a gift of any amount.

Education and Outreach: In keeping with our educational mission, the Schaefer Center Presents series is proud to offer special workshops in conjunction with the presentation of The Resurrection of Alice for select classes in the Dept. of Theatre & Dance.

perri gaffney

PERRI GAFFNEY

Off-Broadway: Harlem Duet, The Waiting Room, and Bee-Luther-Hatchee. Regional Theatre: Skeleton Crew (Curious Theatre, Westport Theatre); FAMILIAR (Guthrie, Seattle Rep.); Having Our Say (Philadelphia Theatre Company, Jubilee Theatre); The Sting of White Roses (NC Black Rep); To Kill A Mockingbird (Syracuse Stage, Virginia Stage); Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (St. Louis Rep., Lyceum Theatre); Steel Magnolias (American Stage); The Road Weeps the Well Runs Dry (Perseverance Theatre, USF); A Raisin in the Sun (Geva); Macbeth, Death and the King’s Horseman, The Music Man (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); The Resurrection of Alice (Best Actress BTAA & AAAAC Awards [eta Creative Arts], Best Playwright & Best Play BTAA Nominations, and Helen Hayes Award Nomination Outstanding Lead Actress); Intimate Apparel (ATL, Cleveland Playhouse, OSF); Polk County (McCarter Theatre, Berkeley Rep, Arena Stage: Helen Hayes Award Nomination Best Supporting Actress in a Musical). Film/TV: MASTER (Netflix), BRAINWORKS (PBS), As the World Turns (recurring Nurse Bentley), Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, So Close, Deep Trouble, Fake Preacher, East 182 Street, Thunderborn. Books: The Resurrection of Alice (Perri Tales Publications); Managing Artists in Pop Music and The Business of Broadway (with Mitch Weiss for Allworth Press).

Jackie Alexander

JACKIE ALEXANDER (DIRECTOR)

Jackie Alexander is an award-winning actor, writer, producer, and director, former Artistic Director of The Billie Holiday Theatre in New York, and current Artistic Director of The North Carolina Black Repertory Company, producers of The National Black Theatre Festival. His debut novel, Our Daily Bread, was published by Turner Publishing in September 2012. His debut feature film, Joy, was awarded Best Feature Film 2002 by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, and also earned Best Actor and Best Screenplay honors for Jackie on the festival circuit. Stage directing credits include the world premieres of his critically acclaimed plays Brothers from the Bottom, The High Priestess of Dark Alley, The Legend of Buster Neal, The Desire, The Right Reverend Dupree in Exile, and Birthright. A shortlist of additional directing credits includes The Waiting Room by Samm-Art Williams, Lemon Meringue Façade by Ted Lange, world premieres of The Sting of White Roses, Plenty of Time, Fati’s Last Dance, Finding Home, Matisse’s Self-Portrait, and Maid’s Door, and productions of the Tony Award-winning musical Jelly’s Last Jam at Le Petit Theatre in New Orleans and NBTF 2019. The OBIE and AUDELCO award-winning Billie Holiday Theatre in New York devoted its entire 2010-2011 season to Jackie’s work, commissioning him to write three new plays and making him the only playwright in the storied history of the theatre to receive that honor. In 2018, The Black Theatre Network (BTN) honored Jackie with the Presidential Pathfinder Award. The award is presented to an artist or an institution that illuminates a path to innovations and new concepts in Black Theatre. For more information, please visit www.jackiealexanderproductions.com.

REVIEWS


 

“An emotionally compelling story driven by captivating characters… you’re going to love The Resurrection of Alice.” —DC Metro Theatre Arts

“Characters in this play are so complex and multi-dimensional …more than a play, it is an anthem.” —MD Theatre Guide

“A star is born… a completely original talent, with a remarkable ability to draw the audience completely into the world she’s created.” —Dueling Critics, Chicago

“Infused with depth and warmth… envelops the audience and whisks them away.” —DC Theatre Scene

We would like to thank our corporate, hotel and media sponsors for their generous support.


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