Time and Location The Agitators is set in 10 different locations across the United States, from Rochester to Washington D.C., and takes place over the span of 46 years. Consider how this impacts the design elements of the production. How would you accommodate the passage of location and time if you were designing this play? Are you familiar with, or have you been to, any of these locations? Act 1, Scene 1: The Anthony family farm (Gates, NY; Autumn, 1849) Susan is 29, Frederick is 31 Act 1, Scene 2: Association Hall (Albany, NY; February 5, 1861) Susan is 40, Frederick is 42 Act 1, Scene 3: The Douglass House on South Avenue (Rochester, NY; April 28, 1861) Susan is 40, Frederick is 42 Act 1, Scene 4: Railroad Station, Haymarket Square (Boston, MA; December 10, 1867) Susan is 47, Frederick is 49 Act 1, Scene 5: A Boarding House (New York, NY; May 12, 1869) Susan is 49, Frederick is 51 Act 2, Scene 1: The Commons Ball Field, City School #14 (Rochester, NY; August 22, 1870) Susan is 50, Frederick is 52 Act 2, Scene 2: The Douglass House on South Avenue (Rochester, NY; June 5, 1872) Susan is 52, Frederick is 54 Act 2, Scene 3: The Douglass House on Cedar Hill (Washington D.C.; January 21, 1883) Susan is 62, Frederick is 64 Act 2, Scene 4: The White House (Washington D.C.; March 30, 1888) Susan is 68, Frederick is 70 Act 2, Scene 5: The Anthony House at 17 Madison Street (Rochester, NY; December 23, 1894) Susan is 74, Frederick is 76 Act 2, Scene 6: Mt. Hope Cemetery (Rochester, NY; April 11, 1895) Susan is 75
The Agitators Timeline The Agitators Timeline 1818 Frederick Douglass was born in Tuckahoe, Talbot County, MD 1820 February 20 Susan B. Anthony was born in Adams, MA 1827 Frederick Douglass was taught to read 1835 Frederick Douglass organized a sunday school to teach other slaves to read 1838 September 3 Frederick Douglass borrowed papers from a free black sailor and escapes to New York September 15 Frederick Douglass married Anna Murray 1845 November 18 Susan B. Anthony moved to Rochester, NY Frederick Douglass met Susan B. Anthony on tour 1846 1847 1848 1851 April 18 November 27 1852 1857 March 6 1859 October 16-18 John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry Act 1, Scene 2: Association Hall - Albany, NY (February 5, 1861); Susan is 40, and Frederick is 42 1861 April 12 Civil War begins Act 1, Scene 3: The Douglass House on South Avenue - Rochester, NY (April 28, 1861); Susan is 40, and Frederick is 42 1862 April 16 Congress Abolished slavery 1865 April 14 President Lincoln's assassination May 9 Civil War ends December 18 13th Amendment is ratified, outlawing slavery November 18 1882 August 4 Frederick Douglass' freedom is paid to Hugh Auld for $711.66 Susan B. Anthony began teaching at Canajoharie Academy for $110/year Frederick Douglass moved to Rochester, purchased a printing press, and began writing The North Star anti-slavery newspaper Frederick Douglass participated at the Women's Rights Convention at Seneca Falls, NY Act 1, Scene 1: The Anthony family farm - Gates, NY (Autum 1849); Susan is 29, and Frederick is 31 Susan B. Anthony gave first speech as President of The Daughters of Temperance Susan B. Anthony met Elizabeth Cady Stanton Susan B. Anthony attended her first Women's Rights Convention Dredd Scott case was decided in Supreme Court Act 1, Scene 4: Railroad station; Haymarket Square - Boston, MA (December 10, 1967); Susan is 47, and Frederick is 49 1869 January 19 Susan B. Anthony held first Women's Suffrage Convention Act 1, Scene 5: A Boarding House - New York, NY (May 12, 1869); Susan is 49, and Frederick is 51 1869 Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton formed the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) Act 2, Scene 1: The Commons Ball Field, City School #14 - Rochester, NY (August 22, 1870); Susan is 50, and Frederick is 52 Act 2, Scene 2: The Douglass House on South Avenue - Rochester, NY (June 5, 1872); Susan is 52, and Frederick is 54 1872 Frederick Douglass moved to Washington, D.C. Susan B. Anthony was arrested for voting illegally Anna Murray Douglass died Act 2, Scene 3: The Douglass House on Cedar Hill - Washington, D.C. (January 21, 1883); Susan is 62, and Frederick is 64 1884 January 24 Frederick Douglass married Helen Pitts Act 2, Scene 4: The White House - Washington, D.C. (March 30, 1888); Susan is 68, and Frederick is 70 Act 2, Scene 5: The Anthony House at 17 Madison Street - Rochester, NY (December 23, 1894); Susan is 74, and Frederick is 76 1895 February 20 Frederick Douglass died from heart failure Act 2, Scene 6: Mt. Hope Cemetery - Rochester, NY (April 11, 1895); Susan is 75 1905 Susan B. Anthony met with President Theodore Roosevelt 1906 March 13 Susan B. Anthony died 1920 August 18 19th Amendment is passed granting women the right to vote
Influencing the Story: Other Characters in The Agitators 1. Frederick Douglass a. Anna Douglass: Frederick s wife b. Anna and Frederick s children: i. Charles Remond ii. Rosetta iii. Lewis iv. Frederick v. Annie c. Joseph Douglass: Frederick s grandson (son of Charles); prolific violinist d. Frederick s sisters and brother e. Frederick s mother: Walked 12 miles, each way, at night to see him 2. Susan B. Anthony a. Daniel Anthony : Susan s father; A Quaker who supported Susan in her efforts b. Lucy Anthony: Susan s mother c. Susan s 7 siblings: i. Mary Anthony: Younger sister; mentioned by name in The Agitators 3. Aesop: Greek storyteller of Aesop s Fables 4. Mayor Thacher (George Hornell Thacher): Lead Albany s humanitarian efforts during the Civil War 5. Elizabeth Cady Stanton: President of National Woman Suffrage Association and Civil Rights activist a. Children: Harriot, Daniel, Henry, Robert, Gerrit, Margaret, Theodore 6. Lucretia Mott: Abolitionist and Quaker preacher who helped write Declaration of Sentiments 7. Harriet Tubman: Conductor of the Underground Railroad that freed over 300 slaves (19 trips) 8. Robbie Burns: Scottish poet and lyricist 9. Fanny Fern: American newspaper columnist and children s author 10. Hot Plank Man: Man who brought Susan hot planks to keep her feet warm at lecture halls; He told her: Modern woman is beyond any ordinary man s comprehension 11. John Brown: Abolitionist who attacked and occupied the arsenal in Harper s Ferry 12. Abraham Lincoln: 16 th President of the US; Issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves 13. Charles Dickens: Author of David Copperfield; Frederick Douglass met him in England 14. George Francis Train: He was passionate about other issues that Anthony did not share, but he helped fund the Women s Suffrage Movement 15. Ulysses Grant: 18 th President of the US 16. Lucy Stone: Helped found Women s National Loyal League; Stone s support of the 15th amendment led to betrayal of women s rights (opinion of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton)
17. Mayor Lutes (John Lutes): Rochester Mayor from 1870-1871 18. Matilda Joslyn Gage: Native American rights activist; After forming a radical group, she was denied recognition for her contributions 19. Martha Coffin Pelham Wright: Civil Rights activist 20. Gerrit Smith Abolitionist and philanthropist; Saw his wealth as a divine gift to be used for the benefit of others who were oppressed 21. President Grover Cleveland: 22nd & 24th President; Politician and Lawyer a. Mrs. Frances Cleveland: Youngest First Lady of Sitting President 22. Helen Pitt Douglass: Second wife and Secretary of Frederick Douglass; Created the Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association 23. Commissioner Storrs (William C. Storrs): Issued warrant for Susan B. Anthony s arrest 24. Ida B. Wells Barnett: African- American journalist; Vocal on anti-lynching; Leader in the fight for Civil Rights 25. Fannie Barrier Williams: African American educator who fought for social and educational reform; First African American to Graduate from what is now SUNY Brockport 26. Booker T. Washington: Educator and author who, like Douglass, was born a slave; Advisor to Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft; Considered most influential black educator because he controlled the flow of funds to black schools and colleges 27. Anna Dorsey: The typist hired by Anthony who refused to type for Ida B. Wells 28. Anna Julia Cooper: 4th African American woman to earn a doctorates degree; Advocate for African American and women s education rights; Also born a slave 29. Queen Victoria 30. Anna Howard Shaw: Physician and one of first female ordained ministers 31. Rachel Foster Avery: Secretary of National Women s Suffrage Association 32. Olympia Brown: In the first generation of women who were legally able to vote after the passing of the 19th amendment; Dedicated her life to opening doors for women
Aesop s Fables Aesop s Fables are a collection of stories written to illustrate a moral. Many of these stories feature characters, such as animals, in order to appeal to children while remaining entertaining for all ages. In The Agitators, Frederick Douglass comments, I am partial to Aesop and his fables because Aesop forces us to think about our own, twisting, changing, selfish nature. Similar to Frederick Douglass, Aesop also was a slave (but in ancient Greece). Aesop s storytelling has been passed down through oral traditions to modern interpretations, as we now know them. These fables illustrate morals such as slow and steady wins the race from Aesop s well-known fable, The Tortoise and the Hare. Listen for the fables Frederick and Susan share throughout The Agitators. Do you have a favorite fable that resonates with you or in your life? The Quakers Susan B. Anthony mentions her Quaker roots several times in The Agitators. The Quaker movement traces back to England in mid 1600s. Presently, there are over 340,000 Quakers worldwide. The term first came as a nickname, referencing how members shook during worship. Though there are different traditions of Quakers, there are 4 shared theological ideas: A direct inward encounter with God, remaining vote-less (stemming from a belief that government is corrupt, and voting supports corruption), spiritual equality for everyone, and an aspiration for peace rather than condoning war or violence. To fully achieve status as a Quaker, it was necessary to go through convincement: a six-stage process beginning with a breaking-in of God s power and ending with the final step of desiring to help others who have not gone through their own transformation. Unlike many religions, leadership among Quakers is informal and there is no spiritual hierarchy. Similar to Susan B. Anthony s father, many Quakers became safe houses for slaves escaping through the Underground Railroad. The Alligator Purse Figure 1: Susan B. Anthony's famous alligator purse Susan B. Anthony s alligator purse was more than a fashion symbol. Although Anthony had a flare for fashion, she was also demonstrating the right of women to have their own financial independence. An excerpt from her diary reads: Woman must have a purse of her own, and how can this be so long as the wife is denied the right to her individual and joint earnings. Reflections like these caused me to see and really feel that there was no true freedom for woman without the possession of all her property rights.
Peach Cobbler Susan and Frederick share peach cobbler in the first scene of The Agitators. Here is a peach cobbler recipe from The Kentucky Housewife by Lettice Bryan, circa 1839. Perhaps Susan s recipe was similar! A peach potpie, or cobbler, as it is often termed, should be made of clingstone peaches that are very ripe, and then pared and sliced from the stones. Rub the bottom and sides of a porridgepot, or small oven, with butter, and then with dry flour. Roll out some pieces of plain or standing paste (pastry) about half an inch thick, line the sides of the pot or oven with the pieces of paste, letting them nearly touch in the bottom. Put in the prepared peaches, sprinkle on a large handful of brown sugar, pour in plenty of water to cook the peaches without burning them, though there should be but very little liquor or syrup when the pie is done. Put a paste over the top, and bake it with moderate heat, raising the lid occasionally, to see how it is baking. When the crust is brown, and the peaches very soft, invert the crust on a large dish, put the peaches evenly on, and grate loaf sugar thickly over it. Eat it warm or cold. Although it is not a fashionable pie for company, it is very excellent for family use, with cold sweet milk. Other Images of Interest Figure 1: Frederick Douglass through the years
Figure 2: Portrait of Susan B. Anthony, in her iconic red shawl, at the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House; Susan s red shawl Figure 3: Anthony family farm in Gates, NY 1850
Figure 4: The Susan B. Anthony Museum & House on Madison Street in Rochester, NY Figure 5: Parlor of Susan B. Anthony's house
Figure 6: 1887 baseball game in Rochester, NY Figure 7: Frederick Douglass' house on Cedar Hill in Washington, D.C.
Figure 8: Mt. Hope Cemetery on Election Day 2016, at the grave sites of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass Figure 9: Susan B. Anthony's grave in Mt. Hope Cemetery on Election Day 2016
Figure 10: Inspiration images compiled by Director Logan Vaughn for the Geva Theatre Center world premiere production of "The Agitators"
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye The oil paintings of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye inspired director Logan Vaughn, as well as elements of the physical design of The Agitators. To see more of Lynette s work, visit http://www.jackshainman.com/artists/lynette-yiadom-boakye/ to view some of her paintings, her biography, and a video of her speaking at one of her gallery exhibitions. After you see The Agitators, reflect back on Lynette s pieces in the link above. Were you able to recognize either elements of the production values or moments in the play that felt similar to or inspired by Lynette s aesthetic? Figure 11: Lynette Yiadom-Boakye in her studio and at a gallery exhibition of her work Discussion Prompt Much of the disagreement between Anthony and Douglass stemmed from the Fifteenth Amendment ( the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude ). In The Agitators, Douglass advocated for black men to get the right to vote as soon as possible, and then shifting focus unto the cause of women s suffrage, because he believed some progress was better than no progress, and he did not believe the Amendment would pass at all if gender was added to the wording. Anthony passionately fought for universal suffrage for black men, and women, all at once in the Fifteenth Amendment and believed that fighting for anything less was sacrificing values. Consider some of the issues that affect our society today, or issues for which you are an advocate for change. Realistically, do you believe that these goals can be achieved all at once? Do you believe that taking the advances where and when they can happen and achieving the goal piece-by-piece is necessary to make progress? Or is it sacrificing ideals?