Freetown Village celebrates one of Indiana’s most well known women in history with a one-character dramatic performance about Madame C.J. Walker on July 11. Madame herself will not be present, but a “friend” of Madame will entertain audiences with the story about how Sarah Breedlove became the famous Madame C.J. Walker.
Performances will occur in the Museum and Heritage Center, 623 Indiana Avenue from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Each performance lasts from 20-30 minutes. Performances are free and are open to groups and individuals of all ages.
Freetown Village has been a long-time tenant in the Walker Building and developed “The Madame Walker Story” in direct support of the missions of Freetown Village and the Walker building.
“It just makes sense,” says Ophelia Wellington, Executive Director of Freetown Village. “We preserve and present programs about African American history in Indiana and the Walker preserve the legacy of Madame Walker.”
Performances tell the story of Madame C.J. Walker, the first female self-made millionaire as well as stories about the Indiana Avenue. The actor will engage and entertain the audiences through storytelling vignettes. This program is very appropriate for families and summer campers. Additional performances will be presented every second Thursday each month for the rest of the year.
Before or after the performance, visitors can examine original and period artifacts, photographs, and exhibits about Madame Walker and Indiana Avenue in the Museum and HeritageCenter. Groups larger than 15 should pre-register. Building tours of the Walker can be arranged by calling the Walker directly at (317)-236-2099.
These performances are made possible through a grant from the Penrod Society, the Indiana Arts Commission, the Arts Council of Indianapolis, and in partnership with the Madame Walker Theatre Center.
