Out of the Vineyard by Psalmayene 24

Joe’s Movement Emporium is producing a new theater performance work by playwright Psalmayene 24, Out of the Vineyard, as part of the Freedom Stories Initiative. Out of the Vineyard is based on the history book A Question of Freedom: The Families who Challenged Slavery from the Nation’s Founding to Civil War by William G. Thomas III, constructed through interviews with descendants of enslaved families and people connected to the history of freedom suits in Prince George’s County. Weaving together monologues that excavate a buried chapter in American history, Out of the Vineyard illuminates how the legacy of slavery still affects us today.

Out of the Vineyard is directed by director-choreographer Tony Thomas and features actors Scott Abernethy, Frank Britton, Adrienne Nelson, and Jacqueline Youm. The design team includes costume designer Jeannette Christensen, sound design by Nick Hernandez, lighting design by Luis Garcia, set design by Shartoya Jean-Baptiste, and media design by Christian Henriquez. The production will be stage managed by Kate Kilbane.

The Freedom Stories Initiative is a program partnership between Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights, and Joe’s Movement Emporium. Out of the Vineyard is made possible by the generous support of PGCMLS Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Busboys and Poets, Maryland Humanities Counsel, if, A Foundation for Radical Possibility, Maryland Milestones, National Endowment for the Arts, Adelphi Friends Meeting, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, and individual donors.

The premiere of Out of the Vineyard will take place from Friday, September 8th to Sunday, September 24th at Joe’s Movement Emporium. Each performance will have a post-show discussion with guest facilitators.

*Recommended for audiences ages 10+, with some adult language and discussions of syste