STUDY GUIDE for
THE WORDPLAYERS' presentation of
A WOMAN CALLED TRUTH by SANDRA FENICHEL ASHER
Dear Educators,
We are so pleased that you have invited us to share this important story about such a significant woman in our nation’s history. Sojourner Truth was a pioneer of civil rights for both African-Americans and women. She is a shining example of what can be accomplished through passion, knowledge and perseverance.
This theatrical production helps American history come alive and provides an opportunity for students to learn about one of its difficult aspects. Studying the history of slavery and the effects of racism can be painful. Therefore, it is important to emphasize progress. Sojourner Truth paved the way for many civil rights leaders to follow.
Even today in America, the struggle continues for equal rights for all people. We hope you and your students will be inspired by the life of Sojourner Truth and will want to take positive action towards living in harmony with others.
A Woman Called Truth is a powerful play about a powerful woman. Through her life and accomplishments, Sojourner Truth challenges us all. The WordPlayers is grateful for the opportunity to share this inspiring story with our community.
We invite your feedback regarding this performance! A response form is included in this study guide. We would be very grateful if you would fill it out and return it to us.
Sincerely,
Jeni Lamm
Managing Director, The WordPlayers
A WORD ABOUT THE WORDPLAYERS
The WordPlayers is a non-profit, 501 (c) 3 theatre company established in 1995.
Our programming includes three MainStage shows per season at The WordPlayers’ Theatre @ MCM, 1540 Robinson Rd. in west Knoxville. Additionally, The WordPlayers produces touring shows for the greater Knoxville and East Tennessee area. In the summer, The WordPlayers offers acting instruction opportunities for young people. More information about The WordPlayers can be found at
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 - Curriculum Standards (below)
4 - Synopsis
5 - Pre-Performance Questions
5 - Theatre Etiquette
6 - Post-Performance Questions and Activities
7 - Civil Rights Activists Matching Exercise
8 - Women’s Rights Activists Matching Exercise
9 - Teacher Response Form
CURRICULUM STANDARDS
A Woman Called Truth has the following connections to the
TN State Curriculum Standards:
ELA: 1.01, 1.12, 1.13
Music: 6.2, 7.2, 8.2, 9.1, 9.3
School Counseling and Career Guidance: 1.8, 3.3, 4.8, 7.1, 7.8, 9.2
Social Studies: 1.01, 1.03, 2.02, 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 5.02, 5.03, 6.01,
6.02
Theatre Art: 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1
Seeing A Woman Called Truth could be the springboard to many activities involving the arts, critical thinking, research, writing and even performing! Subsequently, more Curriculum standards could be covered. This Study Guide contains a few suggestions for follow-up activities.
SYNOPSIS
A Woman Called Truth
A play in one-act by Sandra Fenichel Asher
A Woman Called Truth is a story of the life and achievements of Sojourner Truth. The play includes accurate events of her life and many of the words are her own. We begin at the 1851 women’s rights convention in Akron, Ohio. We then go back in time to 1797 and travel with Sojourner as she remembers some of the extraordinary experiences that shaped her life. We get a glimpse of her highly cruel and unjust treatment as a slave. She begins life as Isabelle Hardenburg, a slave for a Dutch family in Ulster County, New York. Her master dies when she is still a child and she is sold to a family who speaks no Dutch. She is routinely beaten for misunderstanding. She is sold to other families well into her adult life and every time she must change her last name to theirs. Finally, New York law sets adult slaves free, but children must remain slaves until they turn 25. Her son, Peter, is given away to a family in the South where it is presumed he would remain a slave for the rest of his life. We experience how she bravely fought, using the legal system, to free her son. At the end of the play, we learn how she became “Sojourner Truth” and get a taste of her dynamic spirit as an orator as she delivers her famous “Ain’t I a Woman” speech.
Sojourner Truth was a spiritual woman with a powerful singing voice. The playwright includes several spiritual and secular slave songs sung by Truth and other characters that beautifully underscore Truth’s journey. The following songs are used in the play:
“Somebody Callin’ My Name”“Lord, Make me More Patient” “African Lullaby” “Many Thousand Go”
“Goodbye, Brother”“My Father, How Long”
“Round the Corn Sally”
A Woman Called Truth is an important story about a significant woman in our country’s history.
PRE-PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES & THEATRE ETIQUETTE
1. How many of you have attended a live theatre performance? What did you see?
2. What are some differences between attending a live theatrical performance and watching T.V or going to a movie? (i.e. Everyone can see, hear, and feel each other’s presence, mistakes in the performance are not edited out)
3. Discuss the role of the audience and proper theatre etiquette.
Theatre Experience and Etiquette
A live theatre performance is exciting and vibrant. Please be aware that the audience has an important role in creating the atmosphere of the production and its response can help or hinder the performers. Each audience member affects the people around him and the performers on stage. A focused audience gives positive energy to the performers who use that energy to give life to the performance. Everyone will have a much better experience if proper “theatre manners” are exhibited.
Please discuss the following with your students:
- It is important to remain seated throughout the entire performance.
- Photography and recording devices are not permitted during the performance.
- Give full attention to the performers – no talking, whispering, passing notes, eating, etc.
- The performers will hold for bells and announcements and then resume the performance unless there is an emergency situation. Please try not to be distracted or lose focus because of these interruptions.
4. Discuss the concept of slavery. How were enslaved people treated? How did they cope with these conditions? (i.e. music, religion, friendships among themselves) Have students compare their own childhoods to those of enslaved children. Discuss the fear of being sold away from ones’ family.
5.What is an abolitionist? Can you name any?
6. In the play, the actors play multiple characters. As you watch the play, notice how the actors differentiate their various characters.
POST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONS
1. What did you like about the show?
2. What emotions did you experience and why?
3. What did you learn from the show about U.S History?
4. What impressed you most about Sojourner Truth?
5. Sojourner met many people, some mean and some kind, who influenced her life. Describe those people and how they made her life different. Are there people who have changed your life?
6. Sojourner often prayed or sang to comfort herself and gain strength to go on. When you are trouble, what do you do to help yourself face that trouble?
7. When Isabella became a free woman she chose the name Sojourner (which means traveler) Truth (a tribute to her belief in God). If you were to name yourself to describe things that are important to you, what would that name be?
8. Do you think prejudice, racism and discrimination still exist today? What should be done about it? Is there anything you can do?
POST PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES
1. Write a Review - A review is a way to tell others about an event. Usually a review contains the following elements:
- A description of the plot (what happened in the play)
- Identification of a memorable moment within the play.
- A recommendation: Why should others see this play?
(The WordPlayers would really appreciate a copy of your review! Please send to: P.O. Box 53717, Knoxville, TN 37950-3717. Please feel free to include any questions you may have and we will be happy to respond. Your email address would be very helpful!)
- Create a poem to express slavery. Put the words to music by either composing the music or changing the words to a known song.
- Students may have experienced prejudice and discrimination in their own lives. Encourage students to write or talk about this. If students cannot recall a personal incident, have them describe one they observed, read about in a book or saw in a movie or T.V. show.
- How much do you know about people who have had a dramatic influence on our nation’s path to freedom and equality for all? Try the Matching tests provided. For further study, choose one person to research and write about.
- What issues concern you in your school or community? Are there things that you think need changing? Pick an issue, decide what leader needs to hear your concerns and compose a letter to him/her.
CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS MATCHING EXERCISE
Match these Civil Rights Leaders with their description.
1. Cesar Chavez_____
2. Rosa Parks_____
3. Malcolm X_____
4. Harriet Tubman_____
5. Martin Luther King, Jr._____
6. Frederick Douglass_____
A. After he escaped from slavery, he became one of the foremost abolitionists and an advisor to Abraham Lincoln.
B. This woman became known as “The Moses of her People” by leading several hundred slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
C. This man believed in peaceful demonstrations. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
D. This woman sparked the modern American Civil Rights Movement. She was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus.
E. This prominent Black Nationalist leader led the Nation of Islam and was an advocate of Black pride.
F. He founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1962 to achieve fair wages and benefits for farm workers.
WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVISTS MATCHING EXERCISE
Match these Women’s Rights Leaders with their descriptions.
1. Susan B. Anthony_____
2. Shirley Chisholm_____
3. Betty Friedan_____
4. Sandra Day O’Connor_____
5. Elizabeth Cady Stanton_____
6. Madeline Albright_____
A. In 1848, she planned the first women’s rights convention and wrote the Declaration of Sentiments calling for the women’s right to vote.
B. She was a leader of the Women’s Liberation movement in the 1960’s and founded the National Organization for Women.
C. In 1981, she became the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
D. She was the first African-American woman to serve in the U.S Congress and the first African-American woman to run for president.
E. Perhaps the most famous of the original suffragists. She was put on trial and found guilty of voting in the 1872 Presidential election.
F. In 1996, she became the first woman to be U.S. Secretary of State.
TEACHER RESPONSE FORM
We are always interested in knowing how we could better serve the community. Please fill out the bottom of this page with your thoughts, comments, and suggestions about how we might facilitate the best experience for you and your students in the future. Thank you!
Name______School______
Subject/Title______Grade level of students who attended ______
Please read the following statements and indicate how much you agree or disagree.
DISAGREEAGREE
1234My students enjoyed the performance.
1234The quality of the performance was high.
1234The experience was educational and worthwhile.
1234The Teacher Materials were helpful.
1234The actors were courteous and approachable.
1234I would be interested in scheduling The WordPlayers again.
What did you appreciate about the presentation of A Woman Called Truth?
Other comments, critique or suggestions related to this presentation:
What shows/programs would you like to see presented at your school in the future?
Please return to:
The WordPlayers, P.O. Box 53717, Knoxville, TN 37950-3717
Email: Phone: 865-539-2490