Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, written in the 1850s by former slave Harriet Jacobs, is brought to vibrant life in this Literature to Life® adaptation, commissioned by the New York Historical Society. This solo piece illuminates in shocking fashion the traumas of slavery, particularly for women and children. The stage adaptation culminates in Harriet Jacobs’ powerful and moving experiences during the seven years she spent hiding in The Loophole, a crawl space in her grandmother’s attic. Audiences should expect a visceral experience – absorbing the images without sets or props, only the truth of the author’s evocative words – capable of being an enduring part in their understanding of the “peculiar institution” of slavery. This performance ends the first day of a conference on Harriet Jacobs’ life and writing.