Biddy Mason, based on a story by Dana Johnson

The Fountain Theatre’s “Fountain for Youth” arts education wing joins forces with Inner–City Arts, The Autry Museum of the American West and CounterBalance Theater to present

Biddy Mason

Based on a short story by Dana Johnson

Directed by Annie Loui

Based on a short story by Dana Johnson and adapted and directed by Annie Loui, Biddy Mason dramatizes the remarkable, little-known story of Bridget “Biddy” Mason who, born enslaved, went on to become one of the first prominent citizens and landowners in Los Angeles. After marching 1700 miles on foot alongside her owner’s wagon train from Mississippi to California, Mason petitioned for and won her freedom in court. Saving the money she earned as a midwife and nurse, she transformed herself into a successful businesswoman and philanthropist who built schools, fed the poor, and helped launch the First AME Church.

Founded in 1989, Inner-City Arts brings the benefits of a safe, creative environment to children in downtown neighborhoods, engaging young people in the creative process in order to shape a society of creative, confident and collaborative individuals. Believing the arts and creativity are transformational, Inner-City Arts envisions a society that honors the human capacity for creativity and values its cultivation in the education of young people.

The Fountain Theatre’s Fountain for Youth arts education umbrella also includes Fountain Voices, providing students in under-served schools with the opportunity to tell their own stories while engaging with each other through acting games and writing exercises, and Walking the Beat, a groundbreaking community-building program that sees cops and kids working together to create theater.

The Autry Museum of the American West brings together the stories of all peoples of the American West, connecting the past with the present to inspire our shared future. The Autry presents a wide range of events and public programs including lectures, films, theater performances, festivals and family activities. The Autry’s collection of more than 600,000 pieces of art and cultural objects includes one of the largest and most significant of Native American materials in the United States

CounterBalance Theater is a movement-based theater company located on the campus of UC Irvine that constructs physical theater based on great literature. It celebrates the timelessness of the classics by re-telling stories viscerally for a contemporary audience.

Ten student performances of Biddy Mason will take place May 20 through May 24. Two public performances will take place on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1, each at 8 p.m.

Parking is free in the lot across the street from the theater, and there is ample street parking.