LIVE PERFORMANCES BY SUSHEEL
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Bibbs' Touring Presentations
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One-woman enactments (chautauquas) -- dramatic or musical -- in Pleasant's own words
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Film screenings that can include song,lectures,a panel, and a book/DVD signing
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Multimedia talks on Pleasant, her faith, civil rights, and her times
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To book a presentation,
contact --
for needs, dates ,and pricing
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Book a Screening
Two Award-winning films:
Meet Mary Pleasant (57 min,
now on Amazon.com) &
The Legacy of Mary Ellen Pleasant (26 min - not on Amazon)
Susheel Bibbs portrays Pleasant in these films. Both versions have won international awards and screened on PBS. Both combine research, Pleasant's own (long-lost) words, montage, enactments, interviews, archival photos, archival footage, and interviews.
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Book these:
= The dramatic work A one-woman enactment (chautauqua) with un-accompanied quotes from the songs of Pleasant's day. It is designed for adults and/or family audiences. It can have three parts --
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Bibbs, in character as Pleasant telling her life story
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The character answering questions from the audience about her story,
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The scholar (Susheel) answering questions on Pleasant.
It's participatory history!
The chautauqua is very transportable
= A musical version (involving other artists) can be booked. It adds period slides, live drumming, and song, and theatrical lighting to an already inspiring work.
= A Talk-show format, designed for teens, it presents the chautauqua in TV talk-show form, using a host-storyteller, a question/answer format, video, slides,and music. Guests on the show are Bibbs as Pleasant and Bibbs as herself -- the Pleasant scholar! In between there can be live drumming or storytelling!
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Basic Needs:
A well-lit stage area, wireless lavaliere mike, 2 chairs and a small table, a quick-change dressing area near the stage, a well-lit dressing room, water, coat rack, and full mirror; an onsite emcee, and a helper for set up.
REVIEWS
Attendees:
"It was my pleasure to witness your performance [Los Angeles]...I am also a one-woman show performer with African -Am. history as content....Thank you for a clear, focused, indepth, compelling view of Mary Pleasant."
- Maisha Hazzard
Historical Enactor/Los Angeles
"I want to mention again how much I enjoyed your presentation. I hope I donˆt sound like a broken record,but your presentation and telling of the tale made her story quite memorable and exciting!"
- Rochelle Shaposhnick
VZS Films, LA (CA)
Historians:
Here's what noted historians had to say when they certified Susheel and her research for inclusion in the California Council for the Humanities "History Alive!" program.
"Your research is extraordinary"
Shirley Ann Moore Phd.
California State Univ., Sacramento
"Captivating, spellbinding presentation... Bibbs has done an amazing yeoman's job of historical research! She is MEP "Bravo!"
- Rick Moss, Ph.D.
Los Angeles' Afro-American Museum
"This should be a model for those who aspire to do chautuaqua."
- Dr. Hundley, Historian, UCLA
Presenters:
"Your chautauqua presentation was outstanding, and it was obvious that you have, indeed, researched Ms. Pleasant's background and significant historical contributions a great deal. I believe we all came away with increased sensitivity for this important person in our State's past as well as her impact on the present and future. It also served to clear up some misconceptions about Mary Ellen Pleasant in the minds of some who were fortunate to observe your performance. The preparation, both physical and mental, that goes into such a performance certainly must require a tremendous commitment on your part. But the result was so gratifying, and attests to your talents, as well as your knowledge of this remarkable woman."
- Robert Elsner, Executive Director
California Sesquicentennial
Commission
"Last evening I went with high spirits, and I carried the emotional and intellectual rewards emanating from your wonderful chautauqua on Mary Ellen Pleasant. The extraordinary care, scholarship, preparation, and talent that you have invested in this presentation are evident and a great gift to those fortunate enough to see you perform. Personally and as a member of the CA Humanities Council, I sincerely thank you for taking the time to appear at the Huntington Library."
- Christine Sisley, Exec. Director
Parsons Foundation (LA Chautauqua at the Huntington Library)