Union College to host renowned actor Fred Morsell on October 27
Considered one of the great orators of the 19th Century, Frederick Douglas is known for his fiery speeches and his eventual triumph over slavery.
On Wednesday, October 27, at 7:30 p.m. in Union College's Memorial Chapel, acclaimed actor Fred Morsell will recount the life and times of Douglas, providing a unique look at one of America's most famous African Americans.
The performance is free and open to the public.
The play, which has been performed before audiences across the country to critical acclaim, covers the early life of Douglas, including his years in slavery, how and why he learned to read, and his discovery of The Columbian Orator (the book that provided the foundation for his becoming a great American orator). The play presents his encounter with Covey, the slavebreaker, which gave Douglas his greatest victory over slavery. This is followed by his escape from slavery, his introduction to the abolitionists, the purchase of his freedom, and the founding of The North Star. Citing words from his “Men of Color, To Arms!” speech, the performance concludes with his moving challenge to Americans to become all that they are capable of becoming.
In addition to the Union performance, Morsell will present “A Day with Frederick Douglas” at high schools in Albany, Clifton Park, Niskayuna, and Schenectady. The school performances emphasize the parallels between Douglas's solutions to the problems relating to slavery, and the issues that young people face today.