Theatre
BLACK HISTORY & CANADIAN HEROINES
“Leslie's performance was incredibly moving. She is fantastic!”
— TEACHER, ETOBICOKE
Harriet is My Hero & The Spirit of Harriet Tubman
Grades:
K-2 and 6-8
Audience Maximum:
80 and 250 (30 & 60 minutes)
Price per performance::
$954 + GST
This special performance offers an exciting opportunity to have Leslie McCurdy present two separate performances.
The primary performance of Harriet is My Hero explores the theme of what characteristics make Harriet a good hero. The audience participates in re-creating some of the aspects of the story and dolls are used to illustrate the various ages of Harriet Tubman. Following this performance for the primary grades, Leslie continues with a riveting performance of The Spirit of Harriet Tubman for the intermediate grades.
The primary performance of Harriet is My Hero explores the theme of what characteristics make Harriet a good hero. The audience participates in re-creating some of the aspects of the story and dolls are used to illustrate the various ages of Harriet Tubman. Following this performance for the primary grades, Leslie continues with a riveting performance of The Spirit of Harriet Tubman for the intermediate grades.
The Spirit of Harriet Tubman
Written and performed by Leslie McCurdy
Grades:
6-8, 9-12
Audience Maximum:
250
Price per performance:
$675 + GST
Leslie McCurdy captivates her audience with only a trunk of costumes and a barren stage as her landscape. For a breathtaking hour, she embodies the spirit of Harriet Tubman and retells her empowering story from her early childhood to elder years. Leslie uses Harriet’s own words taken directly from her writings and creates a story that takes the audience through Harriets’s harrowing solo flight from slavery, her dedicated involvement with the Underground Railroad, her victorious rescue mission during the civil war and her continued commitment to others in her later years.
This inspiring solo performance illustrates the power of personal integrity, triumph over racism and the importance of social commitment.
This inspiring solo performance illustrates the power of personal integrity, triumph over racism and the importance of social commitment.
Things My Fore-Sisters Saw
Written and performed by Leslie McCurdy
Grades:
7-8, 9-12
Audience Maximum:
250
Price per performance:
$675 + GST
Things My Fore-Sisters Saw introduces audiences to four women of African descent who affected significant social change in Canada – Marie-Joseph Angelique, Rose Fortune, Mary-Ann Shadd and Viola Desmond. Experience how each of these women affected change in the Canada in which they lived and their impact even today! This show has been revised due to new and exciting historical information about Marie-Joseph Angelique.
- Presentations are adapted for the age and grade level of the audience.
Curriculum Focus & Expectations
Themes:
- Black History in Canada and U.S., heroes and heroines
Character Education:
- Leadership, integrity, empathy, courage, perseverance
Expectations:
- Ask and respond appropriately to relevant questions in and out of role about characters and dramatic situations being explored
- Research and dramatize material from various sources
- Identify performance techniques that have an effect on the audience’s emotions and senses
Tour Availability:
- Limited availability year-round
Technical Requirements:
- Large open area or stage & 4 primary chairs (for Harriet is My Hero)

