Stepping Stone Theatre
“A doll is a witness who cannot die, with a doll you are never alone.” Margaret Atwood.
From the gifted playwright Kim Hines comes a vivid and dramatic tale based upon the popular book by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson. A young girl is given a rag doll, through whose eyes we see the extremes of slave life—the cruelty, the love, and the daring escape from slavery via the Underground Railroad. A great play for Black History Month, and one that is sure to both tug on the heart-strings and leave the audience uplifted with hope.
Richard Hitchler, the play’s director says, “I was so taken by the story of this picture book that I knew immediately that it had the makings of a fantastic play, and I knew that SteppingStone had to produce it.
We've heard so many stories of The Underground Railroad and stories of slavery, but never have we heard it told through the eyes of a young girl's doll. That truly fascinated me and made me want to bring this story to life."
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, who wrote the original award-winning children’s book based the story on actual dolls found in one of the hideouts of the Underground Railroad. She says in the author’s note, “I was inspired to write Almost to Freedom during a visit to the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. There, a display of black rag dolls from the 1800s and 1900s immediately caught my attention. The majority of the dolls were entirely made from scrap cloth.”
In this adaptation, Kim Hines has retained the spirit of the original story, but added even more richness and depth. Hitchler says, “Kim did such an amazing job of adapting this fabulous book for the stage. She brought the spirit of the book to life just like Lindy brings the spirit of her doll to life.”
Almost to Freedom is a story is of the triumph of the human spirit, both of the escapees and those that
assisted them to freedom. It will be an uplift to all that see it. (Almost to Freedom text copyright ©2003. Published by Carolrhoda Books, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.)
About SteppingStone Theatre:
SteppingStone Theatre’s productions are professionally created and produced, with talents drawn from the
best in the Twin Cities and throughout the U.S. The young actors are rigorously trained, but remain fresh and vibrant, bringing their joy and sense of fun to all SteppingStone Theatre’s productions. Enjoyed by all ages, adults as well as children, SteppingStone Theatre’s productions are affordable, high-quality
entertainment.
Performance Information:
All performances are in SteppingStone Theatre’s new home, a beautifully renovated 100-year-old
architectural gem located at 55 Victoria Street North, one block north of Summit Avenue in the Historic
Hill District of St. Paul. Performances are appropriate for all ages. SteppingStone Theatre is fullyaccessible to persons with disabilities, and has regularly-scheduled ASL & Audio Described performances. Interpreters can be scheduled for other performances at no additional cost upon request
