A Revolution of Her Own! Deborah Sampson

The Great Barrington Historical Society, the Claire Teague Senior Center and The Bidwell House Museum are excited to present a performance of the one-woman play A Revolution of Her Own! Deborah Sampson. The first woman to enlist, to fight and to be honorably discharged from the American Military, Deborah captivates audiences in an hour long program chronicling her life.  An indentured servant by the age of 5, Deborah grew up in a man’s world, where women where naught but second-class citizens.  As a self-educated, master-less woman, she felt a higher calling and on May 20, 1782, Deborah bound her chest, tied back her hair and enlisted in the 4th Massachusetts Regiment of the Continental Army as “Robert Shurtlieff”.  Through interactive stories and authentic colonial attire the audience will experience Deborah Sampson’s arduous upbringing, one and a half years of active combat, and success as the first female professional soldier. Deborah’s passion will take you back in time!

This play is presented by Judith Kalaora founding Director of History At Play.  Established in 2010, History at Play was created to educate and entertain students young and old from all over the world. Their living history performances breathe life into the stories of influential and often forgotten women.  Kalaora is a resident of Massachusetts and a graduate of Syracuse University and Shakespeare’s Globe Education Program in London, England. She has performed on stages from London to Montreal and across the United States. http://www.HistoryAtPlay.com.

The performance lasts approximately 60 minutes and is followed by a Q & A with Judith Kalaora.  This event is free and open to the public, though we do encourage attendees to register so we know how many people to expect.