Angelina Weld Grimké’s
RACHEL
January 29 - February 29, 2020
Angelina Weld Grimké’s American classic depicts an African-American family at the turn of the 20th century striving to find life, liberty, and happiness in a Northern city. Haunted by her family’s Southern past, Rachel, an ambitious high-school graduate, struggles to find a vocation, love and hope in the face of systemic racism, ultimately choosing to reject marriage and motherhood. Inspired by the writing of Chekhov, Grimké’s Rachel opened in New York on April 26, 1917, and was the first play by an African-American author with an all-black cast to be performed before an integrated audience.
REVIEWS
“Quintessence shows us why we need to know Rachel. In its clear-eyed questions and still-shocking answers, it anticipates American drama of the next century — down to our own era.”
-The Philadelphia Inquirer
“Quintessence Theatre Group’s production of Rachel, a century after it was originally written and produced, is more relevant than ever.”
- Broad Street Review
“it’s heartbreaking that questions being asked in 1916 are just as relevant today. I am grateful that Quintessence Theatre gave us the opportunity to bear witness.”
- Phindie
ENSEMBLE
CREATIVE TEAM
Alexandra Espinoza
Director
Natalie Robin
Lighting Design
Marie Laster
Set Design
Carmel Brown
Costume Design
Dan Ison
Sound Design
Cortney Mandoske*
PSM
Emily McGregor
ASM
*Member of Actor’s Equity Association