Unique Musical Theater Production Focuses on 3 Famous African American Women in History

Published on: February 20, 2025

Three influential African American women will be the focus of a unique show at Husson University’s Gracie Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 2pm.

Unbought shares the stories of Sally Hemings, a woman enslaved by Thomas Jefferson; Ida B. Wells, an investigative journalist and women’s suffrage activist; and Shirley Chisholm, the first African American in the U.S. Congress and the first African American woman to run for President. All three roles will be played by actress Tiffany Terrell. Each character has their own riveting unique story, costume, music and backdrop. 

“Unbought is the perfect blend of dramatic storytelling underscored by live music,” said Jeri Misler, managing artistic director of the Gracie Theatre. “The stories about these three iconic women are so timely, and completely engaging for audiences of all ages.” 

The show’s uniqueness comes in the blending of theatrical performance and chamber orchestra. The style was developed by the Core Ensemble, a performance company that has toured in every region of the United States and internationally in Australia, England, Russia, Ukraine, and the British Virgin Islands. The title of the show comes from Shirley Chisholm’s memoir, Unbought and Unbossed. The music is from popular and folk traditions and works by African American women composers.

Tickets for Unbought start at $20 for adults and are free for children 12 and under, with a vendor fee of $2.50 per person. Educators are offered a discounted price at $15 per ticket. Discounts for groups of 8 or more are available by calling the box office at 207-941-7888. Online purchases can be made at www.gracietheatre.com.