"We Are Free, No Longer Bound" The Musical, is more than just a story about June 19, 1865. It is a story of the Spirit of a people. A story of a people who are no longer bound to physical or psychological enslavement. No longer bound to their own hypocrisy. No longer bound to self-hate. No longer bound to the confusion of who they are and whose they are. A man without culture is like a tree without roots. We are free, no longer bound. Every day Juneteenth comes around. A story of triumph.

Our production of “We Are Free, No Longer Bound” has been very fortunate to have established collaborations with The Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, The Greater Philadelphia YMCA, The Northeast Philadelphia Rotary Club, The Fortress Arts Academy, The Black Male Community Council of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Juneteenth Family, The BSI National Hope Collaborative, and The Ben Vereen International School of Performing Arts. These collaborations have spurred us to create an enhanced adaptation of the production, with the addition of several original songs, and new dance numbers. In its entirety, our theatrical presentation is two hours in total, including a 15-minute intermission.

We also offer shorter lecture/demo presentations, tailored specifically for young audiences, as well as for colleges and universities, and adult audiences. Additionally, the various ensembles within the cast are available for performances, including: The Philadelphia Dance and Drum Association, The No Longer Bound Singers, Sterlen Barr’s FX Dancers, The No Longer Bound African Percussion Ensemble, and The Alfie Pollit Jazz Trio.

Opening the production is a moving rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing, The Black National Anthem. Included in the production is Fanga, one of the oldest traditional African dances that was brought to the United States in the 1950s by Dr Pearl Primus. The choreography of Fanga was created by legendary cultural activist, Arthur Hall, of The Arthur Hall African-American Dance Ensemble. A new musical composition, entitled Ashe, was written by ensemble member, Janet McDonald, with music composed by our renowned Musical Director, Alfie Pollit. Ashe is a Yoruba word that is an affirmation for truth and power. The inspirational theme song, We Are Free, No Longer Bound, was written by Alfie Pollit, James Solomon, and Walter Sorey. The production also contains several monologues that refer to the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Declaration of Independence, and place a strong emphasis on maintaining our culture and traditions from an African and African-American perspective.

Our goal is to provide audiences with an historical overview of the African-American journey to the triumph of Juneteenth becoming a national holiday, which will facilitate a sense of cultural awareness, belonging, gratification, and a cross-cultural experience that will provide a greater understanding of the sacrifices that were made to end slavery in the United States of America.