BY: Nikkole Salter
​THE STORY: Prince George's County, MD, 1859. Hannah, a rela-
tively contented enslaved woman, has her world rocked when
her master dies and she, for the first time, is separated from
her family, new husband, and baby. But, just as she begins to
lose all hope to ever see her husband and child again, the
seceded south falls to the Union, slavery is abolished with the 13th Amendment, and Hannah has the opportunity to put her family back together...if she can find them.
Luna Stage, 2023 Photo by: SMPhotos
Luna Stage, 2023 Photo by: SMPhotos
LUNA STAGE OPENING NIGHT
Luna Stage, 2023 Photo by: SMPhotos
TORN ASUNDER dramatizes true stories of newly emancipated African Americans trying to overcome the ever-present vestiges of chattel slavery to reconnect with their families. Based on the research of Dr. Heather Andrea Williams in her book HELP ME TO FIND MY PEOPLE. (Commissioned by Dr. Heather Andrea Williams and Kathy A. Perkins)
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TORN ASUNDER was presented in workshop production at the University of North Carolina, Winston Salem's "Telling Our Stories of Home" Festival, March 31-April 8, 2016 in conjunction with the Institue for Arts and the Humanities' Process Series.
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TORN ASUNDER received its world premiere at the St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre April 13 - 29, 2018, directed by Ron Himes. For more on that production, see here. The Luna Stage production was directed by Lisa Rosetta Strum, with Antu Yacob as the assistant director.
NY Times Sunday Book Review - HELP ME TO FIND MY PEOPLE
US National Archive Interview - PROF. HEATHER ANDREA WILLIAMS
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Best of St. Louis Theatre 2018
St. Louis Theatre Circle Award winner for Best New Play - 2019
Starring Kara Green, David Roberts, Steven Makropoulos, Brittany Davis, Mark Hofmaier, LeVane Harrington
Costume Design: Deborah Caney; Sound Design: Megan Cully; Set Design: Christopher & Justin Swaders; Lighting Design: Cameron Filepas (Virtual Program)
LINKS TO PRESS​ & REVIEWS from the Luna Stage Production
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Feature: Nikkole Salter's TORN ASUNDER, Opens at Luna Stage, Feb. 2nd
By A. A. Christie - 01/18/2023
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By Ruth Ross - 02/2023
“Salter’s dialogue, as ever, is crisp and convincing without being bombastic and preachy... That Torn Asunder, set in 1859–1870, can connect us to more recent forced familial separations, is a credit to Nikkole Salter, the director and talented actors, and Luna Stage production team. Once again, this special local professional, black box theater shines a light on man’s inhumanity to man—and the resilience of the victims to reclaim their dignity and sense of togetherness in the face of what would appear to be daunting odds. Do not miss Torn Asunder."
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By Jay Lustig - 02/013/2023
“Lisa Strum directs, with rustic sets (by Christopher and Justin Swader) and simple, earth-toned costumes (by Deborah Caney) that create a believable 19th century vibe. Recordings of classic folk and gospel songs — mournful at times, stirring at others — are sometimes heard, and add to the play’s emotional undercurrent.
Not that that’s really necessary. The intensity of the acting (especially Green’s portrayal of Hannah) gives Salter’s heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting story all the firepower it needs."
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Review: NJ.com - TORN ASUNDER Explores the Terrors of Slavery, a family's will to survive
By Patrick Maley - 02/08/2023
““Torn Asunder” tells a tragic and important story."
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Feature: Luna Stage Adds Matinee for TORN ASUNDER, Feb. 25th
By A. A. Christie - 02/21/2023