Marcus McGhee & Weimy Montero Candelario
Right at the heart of downtown Harrisburg sits the Pennsylvania Capitol. Though the building has survived a century, the ground it stands on has existed for millennia. This begs the question: What forgotten history does that ground hold?
On the south side of the Capitol resides a monument that commemorates the ratification of the 15th and 19th amendments and honors the citizens of the Old Eighth Ward. The monument includes four bronze statues representing William Howard Day, Jacob T. Compton, T. Morris Chester and Frances Harper. The figures surround a pedestal inscribed with 100 people who impacted Harrisburg’s African American community. The Commonwealth Monument Project and the Digital Harrisburg project researched and raised the funds for the monument to recognize the thriving, diverse community of African Americans, Jews and Germans who were forced out of their homes, businesses and churches to expand the Capitol complex.
Sharia Benn, president and executive artistic director of Sankofa African American Theatre Company, local playwright and living history interpreter, returns with a powerful continuation of her historic Old Eighth Ward play, “Voices of the Eighth.” She has dedicated this project to honoring and uplifting the voices of those who lived in the Eighth Ward—those whose legacy has regrettably been neglected.
This series of original works, written and directed by Benn, is produced as a partnership between Sankofa African American Theatre Company, Gamut Theatre Group and the Dauphin County commissioners. They have been working together to celebrate Black History Month for seven years, resulting in thousands of Dauphin County students who have seen five live productions and one digital production during the pandemic.
When asked about the inspiration for these plays, Benn stated that she was “writing out of necessity.” As a member of the PA Past Players, under the direction and teaching of the master historian Lenwood Sloan, Benn learned about the citizens of the Eighth Ward whose lives were tarnished and dismissed. She was also inspired by the work that Rachel Williams and Saving Our Ancestors Legacy (SOAL) are doing to preserve the history of those buried at Lincoln Cemetery. Because of Benn’s efforts, countless individuals have learned the history of the Eighth Ward and the greatness that is buried in their very neighborhoods.
“Greatness is everywhere we are as Black people—greatness is buried everywhere we live,” Benn said.
Benn lives by this statement and has inspired many to do the same. Her plays have reached young and old, Black and white, religious and nonreligious—all demographics alike. And, while the plays are moving, the discussions that follow are what provide clarity and understanding. “Voices of the Eighth,” which started out as a singular project, turned into a movement as the community requested more.
“The community of Harrisburg is aching to learn about their city, their ancestors, their fellow neighbors,” Benn said. “They are yearning to learn how to know and love each other.”
They are yearning to recognize the greatness buried beneath and around them.
In the first installment of “Voices of the Eighth,” produced in 2020, we met the main character, Kay, who goes on a journey through the Old Eighth Ward. In “Voices of the Eighth Part III: Hallowed Ground,” Kay is now four years older and struggling with the demands of college, family and life. Kay visits Lincoln Cemetery and encounters Kayah, who helps Kay reconnect with the greats of the past and the greatness within herself.
“There is still love in humanity, and I’m banking on that to get us through,” Benn stated.
This simple yet deeply profound statement sums up the essence of her work and this project. “Voices of the Eighth Part III: Hallowed Ground” reveals the love and connection between all humankind—the ancient need we have to preserve our history and legacy. For, if we do not do it, who will?
Just as the movement to save our history did not start with “Voices of the Eighth,” it does not end with it either. You can play a part in continuing the work SOAL is doing by visiting www.lincolncemetery.org. Digital Harrisburg, www.digitalharrisburg.com, is also a great resource to learn about the city’s rich legacy and discover ways you can help preserve history.
Benn’s work is a labor of love towards our whole community and begs the question: What forgotten history is waiting to be discovered? What ought we to do to ensure the history we are writing now is remembered for generations to come? You can start by attending “Voices of the Eighth Part III: Hallowed Ground.”
“Voices of the Eighth Part III: Hallowed Ground,” presented by Sankofa African American Theatre Company and Gamut Theatre Group, runs Feb. 15 to March 2 at Gamut Theatre Group, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.sankofatheatrehbg.com or www.gamuttheatre.org/vote or call 717-238-4111.
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