History books are filled with stories of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. Yet alongside him, the name Sally Hemings often appears but it's rarely in a way that fully represents her life, voice or humanity.
Sally: A Solo Play reclaims that voice, placing Sally’s story at the center of the narrative.
Audiences will hear Sally’s story directly from her heart and mind. This powerful solo play is an emotional journey that illuminates a pivotal moment in her life while also reflecting on the experiences that shaped her. Set in 1826 in the final days of Jefferson’s life, Sally is told as a memory play, inviting reflection on whose stories have been told, whose have been overlooked and why.
The play is written by award-winning playwright Sandra Seaton, whose work has been produced across the country. Seaton is best known for her collaboration with composer William Bolcom on the acclaimed song cycle from the Diary of Sally Hemings, commissioned by renowned soprano Florence Quivar, as well as for her many celebrated plays.
Sally was intentionally created as solo work to ensure that Sally’s perspective remains central, allowing her voice, grit and determination to emerge with honesty and power; qualities too often absent from narratives about her life.
“My portrayal of Sally Hemings challenges the way she has been viewed in the past,” Seaton said. “I want audiences to see Sally not as an appendage to Thomas Jefferson, but as an individual in her own right — not as a stereotype, but as a woman on a mission. The Wharton stage is the perfect setting to bring Sally to life.”
Sabrina Sloan, who stars as Sally Heming, is widely known for her role as Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton, opposite Lin-Manuel Miranda. The production is directed by Hannah Ryan, former resident director of Hamilton on Broadway.
“It is an honor to bring Sally to life at Wharton Center during a year observing the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence,” Wharton Center Executive Director Eric Olmscheid said. “It is especially meaningful to stage this fully realized production centered on a fierce, determined woman, with the extraordinary trifecta of Sandra Seaton as playwright, Sabrina Sloan starring, and Hannah Ryan directing.
“This production also represents a significant step forward in Wharton Center’s commitment to supporting new work and artists in the creative process. Supporting Sandra on this project is a double win — as both a local resident and an MSU alum.”
Rounding out the creative team bringing Sally to Wharton Center’s Pasant Theatre is:
Scenic design: Kirk Domer, interim chairperson and professor of scene design (MSU Department of Theatre), and director of arts, cultural management and museum studies (MSU College of Arts & Letters)
Projection design: Alison Dobbins, professor of integrated media performance design, MSU Department of Theatre
Lighting design: Rachael Blackwell, lighting and projections director, Alliance Theatre
Costume design: Niiamar Felder, costume and fashion designer
Hair and makeup: Earon Chew Nealey, wig, hair and makeup designer
Audio: Troy Boyd, head house audio engineer, Wharton Center
Props: Michelle Raymond
Production stage manager: Courtney Sue Mulford
See Sally: A Solo Play at Wharton Center from Feb. 19 to 21. Specially priced student tickets are also available. Tickets are available at https://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/sally-a-solo-play.
