Marcia rates it:
Miss Crandall’s Classes is the heartfelt drama of one woman’s strong belief that everyone has the right to an education. The teacher’s willingness to put her own life and reputation in jeopardy, to help others discover the joy of learning, seems like a straightforward story; however it is anything but simple.
In 1830’s Connecticut, Prudence Crandall runs a school for girls in a small town. This is a time when blacks are not only considered subhuman; it is illegal to teach them to read. Her decision to accept Sarah, her young free black housemaid, into her school as a pupil brings opposition from her student’s families, and the town authorities, as she knows it will. As her white students withdraw from the school, Prudence fills her classroom with black students eager to learn. She is soon arrested, put on trial for her actions, and ultimately freed. When the town ‘evil doers’ contaminate the well at the school, and burn the classroom, she finds refuge and a match for her ideals in a local minister.
This play, done as a reading, offers an authentic sense of the times and its prejudices. It takes us into the everyday lives of people in the 1830’s, and, sadly, what we see is the result of their fears. Salome Jens’ reading of Prudence gives a strong interpretation of her character’s struggle to understand how others can fail to see, with her clarity, that this is the right path; her passion for and mission to teach everyone never waivers. Latonia Phipps as Sarah is lively and engaged, and we see on her face that her concern and affection for Prudence is as strong as her passion for learning and a free life.
The story is based on the author’s research into actual events of the time. Her tale is compelling, however a full-scale production would help the audience to fully experience all the storyteller had in mind.
by Catherine Gropper
Directed by Jessica Bauman
Produced by Promise Productions LLC
Reviewed by Marcia Kirtland
Ms. Gropper, in sharing her well crafted representation of a history known to too few, adroitly captures the courage and friendship of Prudence Crandall and Sarah Harris. Sarah’s determination to get a good education leads her to seek admittance to Ms. Crandall’s school. Prudence Crandall, in accepting Sarah and eventually other young women of African-American descent, stands bravely against the hatred and bigotry of her times as a pioneer for integration and equal education rights. While Prudence is forced by threats and violence to eventually close the school for the safety of the children, the overall impact of the play is one of hope for the future. Just as Ms. Gropper intended, the audience is left with the clear message that individuals can make a difference when standing up for what the believe.
Prudence unleashed a town’s fear and the lengths that people will go to when they are afraid from a lack of understanding. Ms. Gropper’s story is compelling. This reading touched me as Ms. Gropper must have been touched as she was writing it.
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Well written! This was a story that occured in the 1800′ in Connecticut but the ideals ring true for the educational movement of the 60’s and today. This story while rooted in history transports you to modern day historical events. I hope to see Miss Crandall’s Classes. again.
Prudence Crandall was ahead of her time and Ms Grooper did a great job in bringing her story to the forefront. Prudence was a woman with a cause and could not be deferred from her vision no matter the cost. It was an intricate story and well writen.
I hope to see Miss Crandall’s classes again and maybe in a larger production.
Miss Crandall’s Classes was very interesting, even as a reading… It is just as poignant today as it was when it actually took place … One can see that Ms. Gropper devoted a great deal time to researching this project as she made the story and characters come to life for us. I have seen Salome Jens in other performance, Ms. Jens, never disappoints me, she is as wonderful and ever. As Ms. Kirtland mentions in her review, I also would like to see Miss Crandall’s Classes in a full production, I feel the audience would be greatly rewarded by the experience and come away respect and admiration for Prudence Crandall.
This is a written story told via boring dialogue. Should be merely a book due to lack of dramatic interaction. Very boring and not great acting/reading even with the NY folks! Thhe main character did improvise well when requiring water, however, which showed her experience more than the scripted text.