"SEVEN, A Documentary Play" Performance to Benefit Elizabeth Freeman Center
On Saturday, August 26, 2017, the Simon’s Rock Council for Equity and Inclusion and CeCe Sloan presented SEVEN, A Documentary Play in the Daniel Arts Center at Bard College at Simon’s Rock.
A suggested donation of $10 benefited Pittsfield’s Elizabeth Freeman Center for survivors of violence and domestic abuse.
Seven, A Documentary Play is a riveting piece of theater commissioned in 2006 by the Washington-based Vital
Voices Global Partnership, which tasked a septet of playwrights with interviewing and dramatizing the harrowing
stories of seven extraordinary women.
Inspired by these women’s tales of triumph, playwrights Carol K. Mack, Paula Cizmar,
Catherine Filloux, Gail Kriegel, Ruth Margraff, MacArthur Foundation “Genius” grant-winner
Anna Deavere Smith, and Susan Yankowitz gave voice to the remarkable stories of seven
women who labored to improve the living conditions of women in Africa, Central America,
Europe, and Southeast, Central, and Western Asia. Through the powerful medium of theater
their stories come to life, illustrating that in diverse corners of the world women
are overcoming tremendous odds to advance peace, justice, and freedom. SEVEN has been translated into 23 languages, and boasts over 300 performances staged in
32 countries—and counting.
Director, activist, and long-time member of the United States National Committee of UN Women, CeCe Sloan, will host the evening and lead a post show discussion. “I have brought SEVEN to the Berkshires as a piece of theater and to keep the awareness of women's rights and voices,” said Sloan.
Mack will be on hand to share the genesis of the play and its remarkable subjects. She will also screen a clip of the soon to be released film, The Power of Seven, narrated by Meryl Streep.
Eden-Reneé Hayes, dean of Equity and Inclusion at Simon’s Rock, was pleased to offer this inspiring work to the Berkshire community. “SEVEN tells the stories of women from around the globe who empowered themselves and continue to make strides towards social justice. The women work against great odds and surmount them. What an impactful message to inspire the community and recharge hope!”
Regional actors made up the cast: Barbara Greenbaum, Carla Lewis, Lori Evans, Sheila Dabney, Gail Ryan, Tyler Malik, and Anne Undeland.
For more information on this and other events at Bard College at Simon’s Rock, call 413-528-7400 or email danielartscenter@simons-rock.edu.