Dr Du Bois and Miss Ovington
Play Description
W. E. B. Du Bois and Mary White Ovington, two courageous leaders across the color line, co-founders of the NAACP, find themselves unexpectedly alone in their New York City office on a Sunday morning, June 1915. Infuriated over the decision of white board members to curtail his autonomy, Dr Du Bois is determined to resign. Miss Ovington confronts his firm resolve with forceful arguments and sophisticated seductions. They advocate, spar, flirt, clash, reveal secrets, and compete to save their vital work. A dangerous river of desire runs through their complex relationship, infused with their shared love of justice and commitment to fight for a better world.
Production Info
Cast: 2 total (1 female, 1 male, Multiethnic Cast)Full Length Drama (about 75 minutes)
Single Set
Period Costumes
- Reviews
- About the Author(s)
- About the Book
- Special Notes
- Productions
Press Quotes
“Clare Coss’s new play, DR DU BOIS AND MISS OVINGTON, takes up the relationship between W. E. B. Du Bois and Mary White Ovington, two co-founders of the NAACP, who find themselves unexpectedly alone together in their Manhattan office one Sunday morning in June 1915. With Du Bois furiously intent on resigning from the association over racial hostilities in its leadership, the drama hinges on Ovington’s efforts to assuage his anger and save their organization in the hour before he must depart to catch a train. The two share a love of justice, a faith in interracial solidarity, and a simmering desire for one another … It performs the admirable work of bringing to light her otherwise untold story as a collaborator, partner, and would-be lover to one of America’s leading intellectuals … the writing is both erudite and elegant …” —Joseph Cermatori, The Village Voice
“… this mesmerizing play written by Clare Coss … the impact and power of this magnificent work of art … I wish that everybody could see this play … The mutual respect, the love, the beautiful working relationship …” —Ebele Oseye, Black Star News
Author(s)
Clare CossClare Coss is a playwright and activist convinced that we have it in our power to create a just and safe world. Her plays include EMMETT, DOWN IN MY HEART, Erica Gould director, Castillo Theatre, NYC and winner TADA! Play Contest, Tucson Alliance of Dramatic Artists, Tucson, AZ. Translated into French, DANS LES RIVIERES DU DELTA. Moving Parts Theatre, Paris. DR. DUBOIS AND MISS OVINGTON, New Federal Theatre in association with Castillo Theatre, NYC starring Kathleen Chalfant and Tim Simonson. STRING OF PEARLS, Provincetown Theatre Company. OUR PLACE IN TIME, TEN SCENES FROM THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, co-produced by Women’s Project/New Federal Theatre. THE BLESSING, American Place Theatre starred Anita Gillette and Kelly Bishop. LILLIAN WALD: AT HOME ON HENRY STREET, New Federal Theatre, featured Tony Award winner Patricia Elliott, (Lincoln Center Theatre on Film and Video Collection), published in Lillian Wald: Progressive Activist, Feminist Press. GROWING UP GOTHIC, featured Crystal Field, George Bartenieff and Joyce Aaron, original sound score by Thiago de Mello, Theatre for the New City/Interart Theatre. THE WELL OF LIVING WATERS, Old Testament Story Theatre, lyricist and co-author with Mel Spiegel, original score Thiago de Mello, Cathedral of St. John the Divine. THE STAR STRANGLED BANNER, “Brechtian-Marx Brothers” play with music about the U.S. invasion of Mexico in 1848, Berkshire Theatre Festival Barn (Playwright in Residence). She is a member of PEN, The Dramatists Guild, The League of Professional Theatre Women and the Columbia University Seminar on Women and Society.
Book Information
| Publisher | BPPI |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 10/20/2014 |
| Pages | 54 |
| ISBN | 9780881456202 |
Special Notes
If original stage producers credits appear in bold below, all licensees are required to include them in the following form on the title page in all programs distributed in connection with performances of the Play and in all advertising in which the full cast appears in size of type not less than ten percent (10%) of the size of the title of the Play:
In addition, the following must appear within all programs distributed in connection with performances of the Play:
by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc, NYC
www.broadwayplaypublishing.com