Maxine Maxwell
Echoes of the Past
Echoes Of The Past weaves in and out of history to explore the turning points in the lives of five African and African American women of remarkable strength and courage. Each character comes with a concise background and narrative along with subtle costume pieces to set the stage. This dramatic performance takes a look at what it has been like to be black and female over a time span of 150 years.
ABOUT
The play opens with Henrietta King, an old enslaved woman who begins to move us along this time-line with an incredibly moving story of ” What slave days was like.” Spotlighted are the vital turning points in the lives of remarkable and courageous women including antislavery activist Sojourner Truth, journalist Ida B. Wells, and fifteen-year-old Elizabeth Eckford, one of the “Little Rock Nine” who integrated Central High (Little Rock, Arkansas) in 1957. The performance ends with the courageous battle of the children of South Africa, known as the Uprising of Soweto relived through the words of Winnie Mandela.
Maxine Maxwell is a native of St. Louis and a graduate of Webster University Conservatory of Theatre Arts. As an actor, Ms. Maxwell has toured throughout the country. She has worked in New York as both a solo artist and as a member of performing ensembles. Her past credits include the national tour of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide. . . . When The Rainbow Is Enough.” She originated the roles in “Voices of Hope” and “I Can Feel It In My Bones” and has also appeared as a solo artist at New York’s famous Apollo Theater.
testimonials
“Maxine Maxwell is a gift to the earth. She is so talented…I was moved deeply by her presentation of the characters she shared with us. One student said “I felt like I was there” when speaking with Maxine after the performance about her experience. I echo the student’s comment in feeling like Maxine transported us back in time and placed us right at the front seat of what was happening. She sparked a renewed desire to do more research about the lives of these women, and the history of my people overall…”
– Nadirah Z. Mayweather, Director, Cultural Center – Georgia College
“Maxine was AMAZING and so well received… She rocked…”
– Erin Davey, Director of Inclusion – Williston Northampton School
“. . . a powerful celebration of the remarkable strength and courage of several great African American women.”
– Gardner-Webb University
“…..emotionally riveting.”
– Wytheville Community College
“She captivated the audience from the moment she took the stage.”
– Appalachian State University
“Maxine was outstanding and her performance will have a lasting impact on our entire school community. Not only was her show historically accurate and educational, but Maxine is a truly gifted actor who was able to bring the five courageous women to life right before our eyes!”
– Joseph Walters, Head of Upper School – Pine Crest School