Theater News

The Public Theater's Spring Public Forum to Include Sarah Lewis: Pictures and Progress

A historian, curator, and author, Lewis will discuss Frederick Douglass’ seminal lecture along with screenwriter José Rivera and photographer Carrie Mae Weems.

Cultural historian, curator, and author Sarah Lewis to discuss Frederick Douglass's seminal lecture "Pictures and Progress" at Joe's Pub on April 7 as part of The Public Theater's Public Forum series.
(courtesy of The Public Theater)

The Public Theater has announced that its spring Public Forum series will continue with an exciting new Public Forum Solo, Sarah Lewis: Pictures and Progress, at 7pm on April 7 at Joe's Pub.

The one-night event will feature Sarah Lewis, cultural historian, curator, and author of The Rise: Creativity, the Gift of Failure, and the Search for Mastery. Lewis will deliver a talk about Frederick Douglass's seminal lecture "Pictures and Progress" and will be joined by playwright and screenwriter José Rivera and photographer and visual artist Carrie Mae Weems to discuss contemporary lessons to be taken from Douglass' lecture.

Frederick Douglass was a 19th-century African-American abolitionist, social reformer, speaker, and writer. His "Pictures and Progress" lecture argued that before any social progress is possible, we must be able to imagine what a better world could look like.

Public Forum is a series of conversations that include Public Forum Drama Club, Public Forum Duets, Public Forum Solos, and the Public Forum Podcast that feature discussions and performances with leading voices in politics, media, and the arts.