Gee's Bend Quilters coming to the Rep! A Free Event for the Public.
Read the Kansas City Star Review
Read Bob Trussell's interview with the playwright
Web site of the Gee's Bend Collective including photos of the quilts
NPR story on the quilts including an interview with the women of Gee's Bend
Site with activities related to the Gee's Bend quilts
Gee's Bend is co-sponsored by
Gee's Bend
Special Events
Join us for a pre-show dinner on Friday, May 23rd at 6:30 PM. The dinner will take place on the Rep's Spencer Theatre patio and will include dinner and a glass of wine/beer. Only $15!
Tickets to that night's production of The Drawer Boy must be purchased separately.
Copaken Stage
Mar 28 - Apr 27, 2008
This charming new play is based on the true story of the women of Gee’s Bend, Alabama and the magnificent quilts they create which The New York Times has called "some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced.” Born into poverty and hardship, Sadie Pettway, like other young girls of Gee’s Bend, learned to quilt at her mother’s side. Considered a domestic responsibility it was also a welcome respite from the harsh realities of racial indignities, spousal abuse, isolation, and despair. Infused with hauntingly beautiful gospel melodies and spanning over fifty years and three generations, we watch as Sadie grows from innocent young girl to talented and respected American artist. From the director who staged the Rep's gripping Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.
Conversation Series
All Conversation Series events take place in the theatre immediately following the performance. Show times are indicated.
- Meet the Creative Team:
Sunday 3/30 7:00pm
- Actor’s Forum:
Sunday 4/13 2:00pm;
Tuesday 4/15 7:00pm
- Scholar’s Forum:
Saturday 4/12 2:00pm
“African American Women
and Storytelling”
Our Scholar, Dr. Delia C. Gillis is an Associate Professor in the Department of History & Anthropology at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg where she serves as the Director of the Africana Center and teaches courses on the Social History of the American Family and African American Women, Gender & Girlhood. Gillis is the author of Kansas City, a photographic history of the African American community published by Arcadia. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Gem Cultural and Educational Foundation.
