THE GROUND ON WHICH WE STAND
Join us for a FREE reading of a new adapation
THE GROUND ON WHICH WE STAND (ABRIDGED)
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25 @ 7pm
Inspired by the history and legacy of The James Howe House, the first home owned by a formerly enslaved person in Montclair, NJ
Abridged by TyLie Shider, directed by Ari Laura Kreith
This event is supported by The New Jersey Historical Society and The Montclair Foundation
The Ground On Which We Stand is written by Turron Kofi Alleyne, Jenny Lyn Bader, Sakinah Hofler, Stephen Kaplan, Kyle Mazer, Kathleen McGhee-Anderson, Diane Polledri, Martine Sainvil, TyLie Shider, Mo Schlick, Melissa Toomey, and Richard Wesley.
The project was conceived and directed by Ari Laura Kreith
It was commissioned by Luna Stage, and developed in collaboration with Crossroads Theatre
The Ground on Which We Stand was first produced in 2023 as a multi-writer, site-specific performance staged outdoors over the course of a mile-long walk in Montclair New Jersey. The play explores the history and impact of The James Howe House from 1780 to the present day.
The Howe House is the first property in the Township of Montclair to be owned by an African American and formerly enslaved person. James Howe became the owner of 369 Claremont Avenue when his former enslaver, Nathanial Crane, died in the 1830s. Howe was manumitted in 1817, and Crane’s 1931 will deeded him the property. You can learn more here.
The performance began at the Crane House and ended at the Howe House. The audience was guided between 12 distinct performance sites, in a performance featuring 18 actors, 12 playwrights, and over 20 crew and support team members. Photos of that performance are below.
To allow ongoing sharing of this work, we are creating a 45-minute, 6-actor version of the piece: The Ground On Which We Stand (Abridged.)
Luna Stage was honored to receive the Giles R. Wright Award for Excellence in African American History from the New Jersey Historical Commission for this project
Listen to the JerseyArts Podcast “Luna Stage Explores NJ's Black History Through the Lens of Howe House”
Read about the performances in Montclair Local and NJ Stage.
THE GROUND ON WHICH WE STAND
Conceived and Directed by
Ari Laura Kreith
Developed at Luna Stage in collaboration with Crossroads Theatre
This project is supported in part by the Suzzanne Douglas Memorial Commissioning Fund.
Read more about this Here.
WRITERS AND DRAMATURGS
Turron Kofi Alleyne, Jenny Lyn Bader, Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin, Sakinah Hofler, Stephen Kaplan, Kyle Mazer, Kathleen McGhee-Anderson,
Diane Polledri, Martine Sainvil, Mo Schlick, TyLie Shider, Melissa Toomey, Richard Wesley
CAST
Turron Kofi Alleyne, Matt Biagini, Tony Carlin, Shaun Bennett Fauntleroy, Di Shawn Gandy, Sheleah Harris, Jon Krupp, Matthew Lawler,
Jamil A.C. Mangan, Diane Parker, Al-nisa Petty, Diane Polledri, Mo Schlick, & Kayla Torres
TOUR GUIDES
Connor Carlin, Susan Knight, Cianna Simone Stovall, & David Villa
HISTORIANS
Janice Cross-Gilyard, Frank Gerard Godlewski, Betty Holloway, Kimberly Latortue, Aminah Toler, & Dr. Geoff Zylstra
RUN TIME: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes - There will be no intermission
CREATIVE TEAM
Crossroads Theatre Artistic Director: Ricardo Kahn
Crossroads Theatre Dramaturg: Sydne Mahone
Lighting Design: Cameron Filepas
Sound Design: Megan Culley
Costume Design: Bria Johnson
Production Coordinator: Courtney Labossiere
READ OUR CREATIVE TEAM BIOS
Our set was designed by Jack Golden for our production of Two Elizas.
PRODUCTION STAFF
Volunteer Coordinators: Faith Baum, Laura Hoffman, Maggie Hogan
Front of House: Ann Coughlin, Lee DeCecco
OFFICE STAFF
Ari Laura Kreith, Liz Cesario, Rachel Shaprio-Cooper, Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin, Sarah Gorden, Dawn Pasquin,
Lee DeCecco, Ann Coughlin, Jane Mandel (Founding Artistic Director)
This project is supported by The National Endowment for the Arts, New Jersey Council for the Humanities, the New Jersey Historical Society, The Montclair Foundation, the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, and the Suzzanne Douglas Memorial Commissioning Fund.
This event is part of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance 2023 Stages Festival, made possible by support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey; OceanFirst Foundation; Fund for the New Jersey Blind; New Jersey Manufacturers; and Customers Bank.
READ ABOUT THE NJ STAGES FESTIVAL FUNDERS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Laura Amin (President), Christopher Forno (Vice President), Danah Alexander, Debra Caplan, Rachel Grochowski, Dawn Stewart Harris, Gary Taylor, Raj Amin (Special Advisor)
ADVISORY BOARD
Andre Braugher, Ruthi Byrne, Rose Cali, R. Jonathan Cobb, reg e gaines, Cady Huffman, Rosemary Iversen, Palisa Kelley, Jane Mandel (Founder), Joe Morton, Cal Trevenen, Gila Zalon, Jules Zalon, Kim Zimmer
THANK YOU to all of the volunteers who made this
event possible.
LUNA STAGE
Luna Stage develops and produces vibrant plays about local and global experiences. We bring communities together for artistic events that spark conventions and create understanding and change. Firmly rooted in New Jersey's Valley Arts District - a crossroads of cultures - we celebrate the diverse voices that surround us. As producer, innovator, and educator, we are dedicated to eliminating barriers to participation and nurturing the next generation of audiences and artists.
