Breaking Dawn: The American Myth

Breaking Dawn: The American Myth will bring series of archival performances centering on Black Thinkers, examining the complexities and contradictions of the Black American experience. These portraits seek to illuminate the beauty and resilience of Black people and Black thought. Shakespeare & Copany will present the virtual series from October 22 to November 21 with actors Sheldon D. Brown and Cloteal L. Horne, directed by Peter Andersen.

This inaugural film features the legacy of cultural strategist, anti-lynching activist, journalist, data gatherer, teacher, and civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells (1862-1931). Through Ida B. Wells’ cultural legacy, we aim to ‘Get Free’ as we trace the threads of how a history of violence in the deep-south eerily serves as a microcosm for our modern day context.

The Net is an audio performance to help give context to the audience about the production of Breaking Dawn: The American Myth. It is an opportunity for listeners to learn more about political activist and journalist, Ida B Wells, and how her work continues to reverberate today. There will be one Net performance which participants are encouraged to listen to before they watch The American Myth film, and one for afterwards. Each audiocast will include performers who worked on the piece, as well as guest artists including some local Berkshire community members.

Peter Andersen

Peter Andersen is currently pursuing his MFA in directing at Carnegie Mellon. He is also a graduate of Emerson College where he obtained his BFA in Acting. Since then he has gone on to work for Steppenwolf Theatre Company as the Steppenwolf For Young Adults Apprentice and
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Sheldon D. Brown

Sheldon Brown is on a never-ending journey to stand true in his inner carefree Black boy self. His journey began in Dayton, Ohio where he was raised by a Southern grandmother (Louisiana), daughter of a sharecropper, a strong woman that he cherishes and carries with him everywhere he goes.

Sara DeViney

Sara DeViney Stampone is a creative producer and connector of people. She has been producing multidisciplinary performances in NYC and beyond (these days, way beyond thanks to technology) for the last 10 years, and has been gifted with the most incredible group of collaborators along the way.

Cloteal L. Horne

Cloteal Lee Horne (Her/She),is a dynamic actress, educator, and theatre-maker, born-and-bred in San Diego California. Her theatre credits include Off-Broadway: The Steadfast (Slant Theatre Project); Dirty Blood (Billie Holiday Theatre). Regional: Twelfth Night, Merry Wives of Windsor, Two Gentlmen of Verona, Merchant of Venice, Comedy of Errors, Midsummer Night’s Dream and Christmas at Pemberley.