Set in the all-Black Western settlement of Nicodemus, Kansas, Flyin’ West tells the story of four Black female pioneers who stake their claim in the face of sexism, violence, and the constant threat of white speculators breaking up the home they’ve made for themselves. Through harsh conditions and complicated relationships, the sisters stand in solidarity, declaring “our lives to be our own and no one else's.” Pearl Cleage’s American classic archives the history not taught in schools of the brave Black women who migrated West as part of the Exodus of 1879.
On November 7, 2022, Quintessence Theatre received the Philadelphia Award for Social Insight (previously the Virginia Brown Martin Award) for its production of Flyin’ West.
CAST
Phillip Brown
Will
Zuhairah “Z” McGill*
Miss Leah
Dax Richardson*
Frank
Maya Smoot
Fanny
Deanna S. Wright*
Sofia
Billie Wyatt*
Minnie
Kahlil A. Wyatt
Will Understudy
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association
CREATIVE
Zuhairah “Z” McGill
Director
Brian Sidney Bembridge
Set Design
Ali Turns
Costume Design
Jarious L. Parker
Sound Design
J. Bean Schwab
Props Design
Alex Cordaro
Fight Direction
Colleen Hughes
Intimacy Coordinator
Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon
Dramaturg
Melanie Julian
Vocal Coach
Karen Smith
Drummer (Compositions)
Abigail Sturgis*
Stage Manager
Flyin' West Post-Show Conversation
Click HERE to view the in-person conversation between Dr. Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon, director Zuhairah McGill, and the cast. They share insights about the history of Nicodemus and the production.
