AmRev Presents: “Meet James Forten” Performance & Panel Discussion

Join us online to experience the Museum’s newest first-person theatrical performance, “Meet James Forten,” exploring Forten’s life as a free Black Philadelphian, Revolutionary War privateer, and stalwart abolitionist. Following the live virtual performance beginning at 6:30 p.m., join actor Nathan Alford-Tate and Michael Idriss, the Museum’s African American Interpretive Fellow, for a talkback discussion about how and why this new theatrical piece was created and why Forten’s story continues to resonate with audiences today. Kalela Williams, founder of Black History Maven and a member of the Museum’s Diversify Living History Advisory Committee, will moderate this discussion.

The Museum’s Senior Manager of Gallery Interpretation Dr. Tyler Putman will provide opening remarks about “Brave Men as Ever Fought,” a new painting by nationally renowned historical artist Don Troiani that shows a significant moment in Forten’s life. The painting, which is featured in the special exhibition Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War, on view now, was commissioned with funding from the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail of the National Park Service.