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The World Premiere Of FIRST BY FAITH: THE LIFE OF MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE Makes Its Off Broadway Debut At The United Solo Theatre Festival

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Richarda Abrams is an award-winning actress/singer/playwright, and daughter of the late Dr. Muhal Richard Abrams musician/composer/visionary/co-founder of the Association For The Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM).

Richarda developed and workshopped First By Faith: The Life Of Mary McLeod Bethune over a six-year period at New Federal Theatre's Playwright's Workshop, League of Professional Theatre Women's Julia's Reading Room, and at New York City's Actors Studio.

This show explores Mary McLeod Bethune's personal journey from an uneducated child to a world-renowned educator, humanitarian, civil rights activist, stateswoman and philanthropist. Abrams uses song, storytelling, and humor to transcend time and gender, as Mary returns to earth to share one last lesson.

Director: Dina Vovsi.
Music Director Amina Claudine Myers.
Recommended for: all audiences

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UNITED SOLO THEATRE FESTIVAL is an annual international festival for solo performances held at the Theatre Row in the heart of the New York City theatre district on 42nd Street, currently in its 9th season. Fiona Shaw called United Solo "the mecca of the solo shows in the world." Over 130 participants from six continents will present their shows every day from September 13 until November 18, 2018. Numerous performances are already sold out. Through its mission, United Solo presents renowned artists as well as new talents, discovers original stories, connects artists with their audiences, exchanges diverse perspectives, fosters a dialogue for change, entertains, and now also educates through its professional training program led by distinguished artists and cultural icons. Artists and companies interested in being presented at The United Solo Festival in 2019 are now welcome to submit their applications online at www.unitedsolo.org/submit

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Off-Broadway Play - Top 3
1. A Christmas Carol (Thorne Adaptation) - PAC NYC
7.8% of votes
2. Prince F****t - Playwrights Horizons
5.9% of votes
3. Andre De Shields is Tartuffe - House of the Redeemer
4.6% of votes

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