History of Arguable Consequence: The Undertold Stories of the American Civil War
Killbuzz-218 for Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth ($25): Lead/Female/Adult to Late-Middle-Aged/Senior. North American/American with a light Dutch, Midwestern or Southern accent. Truth was best known as an abolitionist and women's rights activist. Though both of her parents were from Africa, she was a slave in a NY household where the first language was Dutch; it wasn't until after Truth was sold to another NY family later in life that she learned English. Truth was one of the first black women to sue a white man and win -- in a case where her 5-year-old son was illegally sold to a man in Alabama. Truth's full story is truly amazing, and worth the read here. We need a strong and slow voice for this role. A bit of a Dutch accent would be preferable, but Midwestern or Southern would be wonderful, too.
ABOUT THE ROLE: We're looking for an actress willing to tackle Sojourner Truth's famous "Ain't I a Woman." The speech was delivered off the cuff at a Women's Rights Convention in 1851. It's full of bare language and powerful imagery. You can read the entire speech (or two versions of the speech) here.
Along with Truth, voice actress awarded this part may also be asked to perform lines for other minor characters (voice in a crowd).
I have heard much about the sexes being equal; I can carry as much as any man, and can eat as much too, if I can get it. I am as strong as any man that is now. As for intellect, all I can say is, if women have a pint and man a quart - why can’t she have her little pint full?
May I say a few words? I want to say a few words about this matter. I am a woman’s rights. I have as much muscle as any man, and can do as much work as any man.
The poor men seem to be all in confusion, and dont know what to do. Why children, if you have woman’s rights, give it to her and you will feel better. You will have your own rights, and they wont be so much trouble.
