1619: The Journey of a People, A Musical

Description

1619: The Journey of a People, A New Musical...Using various musical forms, including hip-hop and jazz, this dynamic musical production  commemorates the struggles, recognizes the heroes, and celebrates the story of  America’s African sons and daughters.
From the beginning of American slavery to the Reconstruction, the Great  Migration, the Civil Rights Era and modern movements for justice,1619 packs  generations of history into a two-hour musical theater experience that traces the  African-American journey towards freedom and equality. 

Work Sample

Here are series of clips from the production 1619: The Journey of a People. The clips include the pieces I Thought We Were Free on the Reconstruction Era, Run to the North on the Great Migration, Captured on the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Trying on the journey of the African American woman, Booker T. or WEB, and Steal Away. Compiled from a series of performances from 2019-2020, this reel gives a short look at the musical production that has captured the hearts of audiences across the nation. 

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/341073736

This is a clip from the 1619 production entitled After the Dream. Written and performed by Ted Williams III, this clip chronicles the Civil Rights movement, modern Black Lives Matter movement, and the present impact of Dr. Martin Luther King's work.

This is vocalist Leslie Michele performing the traditional spiritual Steal Away from the production. It is one of the three traditional Negro spiritual pieces from the production. Steal Away is a song used to promote both physical and spiritual freedom. Its words, like other songs of the Underground Railroad, had a double meaning that provided hope in heaven while fighting for salvation on earth. 

I shared clips from the touring production, 1619: The Journey of a People. Although I have written other productions, this may most effectively juxtapose the various arms of my work. I am a Political Science educator and artist. 1619 is a historic journey best told through the medium of film and theater. We are currently working on a documentary that covers the themes of the show. Each video piece that was shared contributes to this overall effort.  

History

Ted Williams III is an actor and author who is a graduate of the University of Chicago and Rutgers University, and a Political Science faculty member at the City Colleges of Chicago. He is the former host of WYCC-PBS television’s The Professors weekly talk show and has provided political commentary for a host of local and national media outlets. He has appeared in commercials for companies including Subway, Cheerios, and Empire Carpet, and recently appeared in the films Human Zoos, The Christmas Thief, and on the NBC show Chicago PD.

Additionally, he is the author of the production TORN the Musical, and of the book The Way Out: Christianity, Politics, and the Future of the African American Community. He is a former candidate for the Chicago City Council and the creator of 1619: The Journey of a People. 1619 was nominated for the 2020 August Wilson Award for Best Writing of a Musical by the Black Theater Alliance Awards. 

Artistic Vision

As a college professor, my media and artistic work has been one of my greatest pedagogical tools. My work aspires to build bridges, convey history, and inspire. Having lived and worked heavily in Chicago, I understand the need to integrate the theme of social justice, civility, and equality into everything I produce. Although I’ve worked as an educator and authored two books, I am convinced that the juxtaposition of these themes with entertainment and even humor may be my most effective teaching tools.  

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

I have performed for and worked with students with developmental disabilities. While I don't consider myself an expert in this area, I have learned a number of valuable instructional and assessment tools that we've used with these audiences.