PLAYS by Meredith Bean McMath

The Drinking Gourd: Songs and Stories of the Underground Railroad

Written to be performed by 4th through 6th grade Elementary School students, this 40-minute play is narrated by "Peg Leg Joe," an itenerant carpenter who travelled throughout the south teaching slaves the words and meaning to the song "Follow the Drinking Gourd" (the "road map" song of the Underground Railroad). Peg Leg Joe's gentle humor keeps the audience spell-bound as he leads them through a "time-traveling" overview of the Underground Railroad. In short order, Joe introduces us to well-known heroes of the Underground Railroad - Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Dr. Alexander Milton Ross - and lesser known heroes - runaway slave who tell their own stories of courage and hardship.

Ideal for large group participation, everyone has a chance to sing and act (various scenes are played out behind the characters, such as a field of workers watched by plantation overseers). The six songs woven into the piece are "Follow the Drinking Gourd," "Wade in the Water," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel," "The Little Black Train," and "Good News." The play provides room for choreographed dance during the songs, and the music for all six is readily available online.

The Drinking Gourd was commissioned by Loudoun County Public Schools to be performed at Lucketts and Hillsboro Elementary in 2003 in honor of Black History Month.

No set or props required. Costumes Optional. 40 minutes. 18 speaking parts; six songs; group scenes acted out by all participants.

For performance rights, contact Meredith Bean McMath at meredith@storyroot.com