Heritage Alliance brings back original play “Nancy”

The Heritage Alliance’s original play, “Nancy,” will be performed Saturday, November 13 at 6 p.m. at Washington College Academy, located at 116 Doak Lane in Limestone, Tennessee.

The performance is a fundraiser for the Washington College Academy Alumni and the Heritage Alliance. The show will be performed in the historic Girls’ Dormitory on the campus.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased directly through Washington College Academy by calling 423.257.5151 or by emailing washingtoncollegeacademy@gmail.com.  Seating is limited to 50 people. Tickets can also be purchased by visiting Washington College Academy’s website at www.wca1780.com.

“It is an honor to bring the show to Washington College Academy, the oldest college in the state,” Executive Director of the Heritage Alliance and author of “Nancy” Anne G’Fellers-Mason says. “We are very excited to partner with them.”

About “Nancy”

In 1820, Elihu Embree published his newspaper The Emancipator on Main Street, Jonesborough. The seven edition paper is the first publication dedicated solely to the cause of abolitionism. Embree passed away in December of 1820, and the paper died with him. Even though it was short-lived, The Emancipator had over 2,000 subscribers and its reach went all the way to Boston and Philadelphia. In spite of his abolitionist beliefs, Embree himself was an enslaver. Nancy was an enslaved woman owned by Elihu Embree, and her story will be shared in this original play.

“Nancy” follows a year in the woman’s life from January 1820, when Elihu Embree wrote his will, until January 1821, when his will was read before the Washington County court. In his will, Embree tried to free Nancy and her five children, but were his wishes carried out? What was Nancy feeling and thinking during this time? The play is based on primary research relying heavily on documents from the Washington County Archives.

The role of Nancy will be performed by local actress Ubunibi-Afia Short.

“Nancy” premiered on Saturday, June 19 at the Embree House Historic Farm to three sold out audiences.