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Overview
Synopsis
Herstories is an adaptation of acclaimed author, Virginia Hamilton's work of the same title. Six mysterious and witty stories were selected from the Black folklore anthology to create a delightful children's play. Unlike most male-dominated folklores, Herstories centers around the strength and cleverness of female characters. The one-hour show contains original music and folklore traditional songs as well as choreography. The ensemble cast is made up of six male and female actors but has a flexible casting structure.
Show Information
- Book
- Tonya Holloway
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Her Stories by Virginia Hamilton
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1996
- Genres
- Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- Betwixt and Between
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Ideal For
- Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Elementary School, Ensemble Cast, High School, Middle School, Mostly Female Cast, Small Cast, Regional Theatre, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA), Includes Adult, Young Adult Characters
Context
Herstories debuted at the African American Museum in Dallas, Texas, 1996. Acclaimed author, Virginia Hamilton, gave Soul Rep her blessing on the adaptation after meeting Co-founder and Co-Artistic Director Guinea Price. In partnership with Scholastics, the popular children's book was adapted for the stage. Six mysterious and witty stories were selected from the Black folklore anthology by Soul Rep's writing consortium, to create the delightful children's play that has not only premiered in
to read the context for Herstories and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
The audience is transported to a time betwixt and between where Virgina Hamilton's folktales come to life. Herstories is a collection of African-American folklore where females are personified as fairies, mermaids, witches, and animals with tales that are sunny and magical and frightening as well.
The play opens with a meeting of "the women/storytellers" who represent our ancestors and the storytellers in our past. They give an introduction to the oral traditions these stories
to read the plot for Herstories and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Actor 7: Man 2, Daddy, Mice, Samuel, Storyteller of Man Woman |
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Actor 1: Woman 1, Storyteller in Buh Rabby, Miz Hattie, Mama, Doctor, Woman |
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
Actor 2: Wolf, Storyteller in Miz Hattie, Blanche, Lonna, Devil |
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
Actor 3: Woman 3, Little Girl, Rose, Malindy, Storyteller in Catwoman |
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
Actor 4: Woman 4, Storyteller in Malindy, Mama. Mice, Ole Woman, Polly |
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
Actor 5: Mouse, Storyteller of Good Blanche and Bad Rose, Cat Woman |
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
Songs
Act One
- Little Girl
- Funny Feeling
- Mice Dance
- Cat/Mice Dance
- Engine, Engine Number 9
- Sticks and Stones
- Here Come Uncle Jessie
Act Two
- Juba/Warrior Dance
- Juba Song
- I Am What I Am
- Boo Hag
- Rock-N-Robin
- I Got A Plan
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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