My Play Studied in History Classes

It was a meaningful return to my play 🎭“JH:MECHANICS OF A LEGEND” on March 13th, 2025 with Monteze Freeland and Delana Flowers, phenomenal actors and humans who respectively originated the characters of John Henry and Polly Ann in this play. ❤️ We led workshops with The Winchester Thurston School’s high schoolers to reveal themes and discuss the development process with this complex work which is comprised entirely of primary historical resources, mechanics definitions and the ballad of John Henry.

It is always a great honor to work with colleagues and friends as insightful as these two extraordinary humans. 💕 Thank you 🙏 to the school’s supportive team of teachers and administrators for this opportunity, and to the students for their curiosity and courage. 🙌

“JH: Mechanics of a Legend” was praised as a “fever dream of history” that will “alternately rouse you and break your heart.” (City Paper) In 2014, “JH: Mechanics of a Legend” was presented as a work in progress as a part of the New Hazlett Theater’s competitive CSA Performance Series. In 2017 it was presented as a world premiere performance at the August Wilson Center in Pittsburgh, after winning a prestigious $50,000 programming grant and was featured in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pittsburgh Magazine.

“JH: Mechanics of a Legend” has over 60 primary historical sources and currently scholarly works quoted within the script! The play has also been studied at Cornell University.

Check out the show highlight reel here.

JH: Mechanics of a Legend