Harriet Tubman

Since 1995

ONI LASANA PRODUCTIONS

Presents

Harriet Tubman...Her Story!

"A Dramatic Storytelling Experience"

Based on the life of Araminta Harriet Ross Tubman

"Minty" ~ Was born into America's slave system. As a child she suffered abusive beatings. As a young woman she escaped to find freedom and lived to serve her people and many others, until the age of 93!

"Moses of her people" ~ From 1849 to 1860 she made over 19 trips as a major conductor on the Underground Railroad. With her unwavering faith in a higher power, she guided and led over 300 enslaved Africans along the eastern shore from Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York to Canada to freedom.

"General Tubman" ~ As she was respectfully named by freedom fighter, John Brown, she fought ans was a scout along side Union soldiers. With a army of free Africans she led a successful raid on a rebel camps during the Civil War.

"Nurse Harriet" ~ Showed unwavering love for the people she liberated with her knowledge of healing plants. She nursed and saved many lives on the battlefields of South Carolina.

Harriet Tubman was a leader, soldier, nurse, abolitionist and woman's rights activist. No woman in American history compares to Harriet Tubman's powerful legacy of courage, faith, sacrifice, compassion, equal right and freedom.

UPCOMING PRESENTATION

American Heritage Student Tours, Philadelphia

Brandywine Valley/Underground Railroad/Historic Philadelphia

Wednesday - June 3, 2015 2:00 pm

Birmingham Friends Meetinghouse

West Chester, PA

ONI LASANA

Is a performing & teaching artist, storyteller, folklorist, poet, theater director and narrator. She made her debut performance as a "Chautauqua" a performance about an historical person in 1995.

Oni presented as SOJOURNER TRUTH delivering "Ain't I A Woman" as a part of "ECHOES", led by historian, Robyn Young, at the West Chester Historical Society & Museum.

Her riveting delivery led to a special request for a home school students field trip. She presented once again, as Sojourner Truth, the

great woman's rights activist.

Growing up, Oni wanted a career teaching American history. So now through the power of theater and storytelling, she is fulfilling her dream to educate through the amazing art of theatrical storytelling.

Since 1994, Oni has written, produced, and performs in a one woman theater presentation on the works of poet and writer Paul Laurence Dunbar. It was her 'LIAS' MOTHER traveling stage production that led to a ongoing commission to develop and portray Harriet Tubman for American Heritage Student Tours. Ultimately, word spread of her dynamic portrayal of Harriet Tubman, to various schools and organizations.

Oni served as the Director and writer of "Voices Of Freedom" pt 1 & 2 , "Aesop, The African" and "Down On The Farm With Granny Goose" for the storytelling group, Keepers Of The Culture's Annual Family Day program at the Philadelphia Free Library.

Oni's love of "Chautauqua" and her intense interest in woman's history, also led her to present as - and interpret the poetry of underground railroad conductor and poet, Frances E. W. Harper.

Oni Lasana in Harriet Tubman, Her Story is a mesmerizing and touching storytelling experience on American history. It draws you into the world of the most courageous woman who ever lived, from childhood to adult life.

PRESENTOR'S & REVIEW'S

Since 2000, Oni Lasana's "Harriet Tubman, Her Story!" is a popular featured presentation on the Underground Railroad Tour of Chester County, Pennsylvania for AMERICAN HERITAGE TOURS, INC.

Info: 610.458.3333

WXPN-FM RADIO Philadelphia - KID'S CORNER with Kathy O'Connor
Mystery History interviewed Oni Lasana as Harriet Tubman.

LETTERS OF APPRECIATION

CHESTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM

Underground Railroad Exhibit
West Chester, Pennsylvania

Dear Oni,
Thank you for your riveting performance of Harriet Tubman.

We hope you were pleased with the turnout. Your wonderful reputation proceeds you.

Sincerely, William Kashatus, PhD.

Program Director

KENNETT SQUARE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD CENTER, PENNSYLVANIA

Dear Oni,

The Board of Directors of the Kennett Underground Railroad Center wishes to thank you for your outstanding performance of "Harriet Tubman...Her Story", which you presented to Kennett Area School District fourth graders and Kennett High School juniors in October.

Mr. Calhoun, Principal of Kennett High School commented that it was a "wonderful drama and the students enjoyed it tremendously." Michael Solon, Principal of Mary D. Lang Elementary School said his fourth grade teachers, were "completely delighted by the performance" and its "educational impact." Mr. Solon and Mr. Calhoun hope you will be able to come back next year.

We also want to offer our thanks for the pleasure of hearing you as Harriet Tubman at the fundraiser we had in early November.

The community neighbors in attendance were overwhelmed by the beauty of your solo performance and would love to have you back to present the drama again.

Thank you again, Oni!
Sincerely,
Marlene Drewes, President
The Kennett Underground Railroad Center
Kennett Square, PA 19348

NORTH PENN SCHOOL DISTRICT

PENNSYLVANIA

Dear Ms. Lasana,

We would like to thank you for the enriching and insightful portrayal of Harriet Tubman that you presented to our eighth graders here at Penndale Middle School. Surely, all students when they returned to their classes understood the struggles and later successes of Ms. Tubman.

Your artistic endeavor was truly rewarding for all who heard you speak. Harriet was "really" alive in our auditorium and we learned of the evils of slavery and the work of the Underground Railroad.

Our appreciation is extended to you for sharing her character with us during Black History Month and with our study of the abolition movement and the Civil War.

Sincerely,

Sandy Croll & Fran Hershman

Comments from our students:

"I thought that Ms. Oni was a great speaker and helped to paint a picture of everything Harriet Tubman did and suffered through for Blacks. If she was performing again I would pay to see her."

"I thought Oni was excellent. Not only was she a great performer, but she was a great singer as well!"

"I thought you were good!! I also enjoyed the presentation. I learned a lot. You are a great speaker and I wonder what your hair looks like."

"She was great! She should become famous for it. It was very educational."