woman in blue dress looking through yellow set piece

Harriet Tubman: Straight Up Outta’ The Underground

50 minutes

Online

Bring the past to the present and change the future with this one-woman interactive storytelling experience. Uncover the truth about America’s 200-year-old struggle with slavery when you play a part in this historic retelling. On this journey, you’ll follow Harriet Tubman, the most recognized conductor of the Underground Railroad. Nicknamed “Moses,” Harriet Tubman lived up to her name by gaining her own freedom, as well as traveling back and forth from North to South over 19 times and freeing over 300 slaves!

Digital release via Broadway on Demand and Pick-a-Path Interactive Digital.

A Live Virtual TCT Talkback is also available for schools and venues booking this production.

Ages

8+

Grades

3-8

School Performances

Digitally streaming now!

Brandi Sherrill as Harriett Tubman on stage

Brandi Sherrill as Harriett Tubman on stage

What Critics Are Saying About the Show

My students and I absolutely loved attending this virtual play. They were engaged with the Pick-A-Path and gained so much information out of the presentation. The actress was amazing! Thank you for offering this valuable opportunity to my students and me!

— Boone County Public Library patrons

I had my class of 25 fifth graders watch the Harriet Tubman production, and they LOVED IT! They enjoyed the interactive aspect of it. I hope more like this are created!

— Boone County Public Library patrons

It was awesome! We were so grateful to have access to such a high-quality performance while we stay at home. We miss live concerts and performances and storytimes at the library the most, so we are happy to have access to them in this way while staying safe. Many thanks.

— Boone County Public Library patrons

The interaction with the audience helped to make the kids feel engaged with the story. It sparked lots of questions about Harriet and the Underground Railroad, so we will read some books and visit the museum as follow-up.

— Boone County Public Library patrons

Fantastic performance! We loved it and learned in the process!

— Boone County Public Library patrons

Brandi did an amazing job. Our students were so engaged in her performance. What a wonderful way to bring history alive for them and to make them appreciate the breadth of Harriet Tubman’s life.

— Kramer Elementary School – Grades 4 & 5

Cast

Placeholder Image of Yellow Crown on Purple background

BRANDI LANGFORD-SHERRILL

All roles

BRANDI LANGFORD-SHERRILL

All roles

Brandi is a graduate of The School for Creative and Performing Arts. Currently, she is a TCT Resident Artist and Manager of TCT on Tour. Brandi has been with TCT since 2010 when she appeared on the MainStage during the 2010-11 and 2012-13 seasons. In 2013, she began touring with TCT on Tour, performing various roles including Coretta Scott King, Harriet Tubman and Maya Angelou. She recently appeared as Lois Lane in TCT’s MainStage production of SUPERMAN™ . Brandi resides in Cincinnati with her husband Michael and their three beautiful children Jordan, Tyson and Kennedi.

Credits

Co-created by A. James Jones, Deondra Kamau Means and Brandi Langford-Sherrill

Directed by A. James Jones

Properties Master: Sydney Sheets

Costume Design: Jeff Shearer

Scenery Graphics: Mikki Graff

Show Resources

Study Guides

Harriet Tubman: Straight Up Outta’ The Underground

Show Companion Activity Packet

Download this Show Companion Activity Packet.

Podcasts

Harriet Tubman: Straight Up Outta’ The Underground Edition

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, the nation’s oldest professional theatre for young audiences, invites the young (and young-at-heart) to take a peek behind the scenes of TCT On Tour with Audio Footlights. TCT’s Resident Artist and Playwright, Deondra Kamau Means interviews Brandi Langford-Sherrill, the actor behind the one-woman production of HARRIET TUBMAN: STRAIGHT UP OUTTA’ THE UNDERGROUND.

Listen on SoundCloud

Show Press Kit

Harriet Tubman: Straight Up Outta’ The Underground

Logo, Poster, Guideline

More News About the Show

101 Stories: Brandi Langford-Sherrill

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Postpones DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS: THE MUSICAL

Our Commitment to Anti-Racism

View All News

Public / Homeschool Offerings

Broadway On Demand

Watch at home! After purchase, you'll receive an email with access details. This rental lasts for 72 hours after first starting the program. Digitally streaming now!

Buy Now

Pick-A-Path

Experience interactive components where viewers can “choose their own adventure” by making different choices along the way. Viewers direct the action of the play — including different twists and turns — which provides greater viewing interest and interactive engagement. (All leading to the same outcome, of course!) Once your purchase is complete, you will receive an email with instructions to view the production. Your code is good for endless views through end of day Sunday. Digitally streaming now!

Buy Now

School / Venue Offerings

Broadway on Demand

Watch at your school or venue! After purchase, you'll receive an email with access details. This rental lasts for 72 hours after first starting the program. Digitally streaming now!

Buy Now

Pick-A-Path

Experience interactive components where viewers can “choose their own adventure” by making different choices along the way. Viewers direct the action of the play — including different twists and turns — which provides greater viewing interest and interactive engagement. (All leading to the same outcome, of course!) Once your purchase is complete, you will receive an email with instructions to view the production. Your code is good for endless views through end of day Sunday. Digitally streaming now!

Buy Now

Live Virtual Talkback

Schedule a Virtual Live Talkback with an actor or artist related to the show: Regardless of when your students watch the show, they can interact via web conferencing.

Book Now

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