Video Description: Harriet Tubman is one of the most notable icons in American and African American history. A hero and symbol of freedom, bravery and strength, it’s no surprise that performance artist Glynis Brooks, who has created and performed a variety of one-woman shows throughout her career such as “America, Act One,” “Rappin,” and “Remember the Struggle,” set out to tell her story. Brooks, a St. Louis native, created “Harriet Tubman: An American Hero” after being commissioned to create a new one-woman show. During her research on Harriet Tubman, Brooks realized there was so much history and depth to abolitionist’s story that the public did not know. She also recognized how pertinent Tubman’s life and lessons are today for both young and old.

• Use the video to give students an example of the process an artist goes through to create an original theatre production.
• Use the video in a cross-curricular activity focused on history and theatre. Based on the subject matter and people involved in the play, if students were creating a production, what might the costumes look like, how might they design the set?