By Laurence Holder
Adaptation and Direction: Wynn Handman
Performed by Cheryl Howard
In Zora audiences of all ages are given the chance to see the world through the eyes of Zora Neale Hurston. Considered one of the pre-eminent writers of twentieth-century African-American literature, Hurston was closely associated with the Harlem Renaissance and has influenced such writers as Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison, and Alice Walker. Through her stories and experiences, audiences will walk away with a new appreciation of this extraordinary African-American story-teller.
The Story
Zora Neale Hurston was one of the most important and celebrated figures to emerge from the Harlem Renaissance. Outspoken, spirited and gifted, Ms. Hurston was a prolific African-American writer of the 1930's, her books defining the black American experience. In this dramatic biography, Zora invites the audience into her exemplary life, rich with folklore, intimate portraits of her contemporaries, and excerpts from her significant body of literary work.
In Performance
This Literature to Life theatrical biography was adapted into a solo performance from the original play by Laurence Holder. The show features 50 minutes of performance by a seasoned actress who captures the extraordinary spirit of Zora Neale Hurston, Queen of the Harlem Renaissance. Incorporating music from the era and some of Ms. Hurston's southern folklore the story focuses on Zora's battle to preserve her people's culture and to live an authentic life against all odds. Having played at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC this SOLO performance continues to be a favorite on the national scene
Suggested Ages: 13 and up