Enslaved Kentucky women the focus of new series of monologues
Experience a powerful series of monologues based on the narratives of enslaved Kentucky women.
Co-authored by Brandi Lashay and Hannah Drake, Broken Wings Still Fly is a raw and poignant theatrical experience featuring the voices of hidden heroines. Witness their remarkable stories of love, motherhood, heartbreak, resilience, and ultimate triumph.
“When we started the research for Broken Wings Still Fly, it became evident that the voices of enslaved Black women remained largely hidden. Even in the context of an institution as horrific and pervasive as slavery, the voices of Black women are often silenced. When gender and race collide against your body, it’s like being caught between a rock and a hard place,” said (Un)Known Project co-founder Hannah Drake. “While these women were enslaved centuries ago, their truths remain relevant today and even hundreds of years later these women have important lessons to teach us.”
“Broken Wings Still Fly is a call to the Black woman to break the cycle of being silenced- not just for themselves in the present, but for the community of Black women from our past. I want women to see themselves and their ancestors and allow what they experience to encourage their personal path towards being heard and being healed,” shared co-author, Brandi LaShay. “What excites me creatively is the intentional use of past and present Black American culture and traditions to inspire our creative process towards re-interpreting the narratives of women enslaved. This work creates space where Black women can fully be themselves, create, and honor themselves and each other. My goal is to encourage Black women to be proud of who they are and leave feeling determined to take care of who they are.”
Both performances of Broken Wings Still Fly are FREE and open to the public, RSVP REQUIRED.
Dates and Locations:
Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 6pm at (Un)Known Project On the Banks of Freedom Public Art Installation (located between 9th and 10th St. on the Louisville River Walk)
Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 6pm at Locust Grove
Made possible by a grant from Kentucky Foundation for Women.
Learn more: https://unknownprojecttrail.com/projects/broken-wings-still-fly/
About (Un)Known Project
(Un)Known Project creates artistic spaces and experiences to support learning, healing, reflection, reconciliation, and action by unearthing and honoring the names and telling the stories of Black men, women and children that were enslaved and hidden figures in Kentucky and beyond.
