Director Program Note

Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony tend to live in our collective memory as titans of American history. We see their mannered photographs and we can read their books and passionate speeches that stirred the public. But what was their relationship like? The few remaining letters between them certainly don’t give us the full picture. The Agitators gives us an opportunity to imagine that relationship, based on what we do know, and watch it play out over the course of nearly 50 years. Our play explores their lives, not only as activists, but as complex and flawed human beings living in the mess of life during one of the most tumultuous times in history. 

We still need Frederick and Susan’s ideas today and I suspect we’ll need them long into the future. Watching the play, it’s eye-opening to realize that many of the injustices they dedicated their lives to fighting still linger in our world today. Their work is certainly not finished. They, along with others of their time, pushed forward the needle of progress to lay the foundation for us to continue paving the path to justice.

One of the remarkable things about their relationship, which many Americans could learn from today, was their ability to disagree vehemently about politics, identity, and activism without ever losing their love and admiration for each other. They didn’t disown each other or seek to destroy each other. Instead, Frederick implores Susan to “try to see what I see.” Allowing oneself to see is at the heart of this play and I cannot think of a more fitting arena than the theatre to bring their stories to life.

The English word for “theatre” comes from the Ancient Greek word “theatron” which translates to “a place of seeing.” Theatre can transform our perspective from a place of simply watching the action to seeing something deeper down to its very core. As we watch Frederick and Susan verbally spar in the ring in front of us, I hope that we can heed Frederick’s request and move from watching to seeing.