Open to Public
The Drum Major Instinct
The Drum Major Instinct presents dramatic readings by acclaimed actors of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s The Drum Major Instinct—a powerful, cautionary sermon about the impulse in all humans to be first—with the goal of generating powerful dialogue about racism, inequality, democracy, and social justice, fostering compassion, understanding, and positive action. These readings are accompanied by original and arranged music composed and conducted by Dr. Philip Woodmore, featuring a diverse choir of singers, including educators, activists, police officers, and members of the faith community from St. Louis, Missouri.
Featuring Chad Coleman (The Walking Dead, The Wire), The Phil Woodmore Singers and the New Sunny Mount MBC Mass Choir, and sloists De-Rance Blaylock, Duane Foster, and John Leggette.
Directed and facilitated by Bryan Doerries.
Co-facilitated by De-Andrea Blaylock-Solar.
Co-presented by Theater of War Productions, Race Forward, and Americans for the Arts as part of the Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy.
Hosted by New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church.
This event will be captioned in English on Zoom. If you choose to join us online, this event can be accessed on personal devices. The event Zoom link will be distributed via email and available to registered attendees starting two days prior to the event.
In person registration does not guarantee a seat. We encourage audience members to join us at 6:15pm CDT for the 7pm CDT start time.
About the play
-
The Drum Major Instinct by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On February 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered this sermon at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. In it, King speaks to his congregation about the destructive forces of “the drum major instinct,” defined as the desire to be first, to be recognized, and to receive distinction. This instinct, according to King, leads to “the most tragic expressions of man's inhumanity to man,” including white supremacy, violence, consumerism, and unjust wars. King challenges his congregants and the world to harness this “drum major instinct” for good, to be first in love, first in righteousness, first in generosity, first in justice, and above all, first in service to others.
Cast Members
-
Chad Coleman
-
De-Rance Blaylock
-
Duane Foster
-
John Leggette
Explore Projects
-
War & Mental HealthThe Tecmessa ProjectThe Tecmessa Project presents readings of Sophocles’s Ajax, an ancient play about the visible and invisible wounds of war, as the catalyst for discussions focusing on the unique challenges faced by military family members, including couples, children, caregivers, and communities. This project is designed to promote understanding, compassion, and positive action.
-
RacismFrederick DouglassFrederick Douglass is a project that presents dramatic readings of Douglass' speeches by professional actors as a catalyst for powerful dialogue about racism, inequality, civil rights, education, and the legal system with the objective of fostering compassion, understanding, and positive action.
-
HomelessnessThe Oedipus at Colonus ProjectThe Oedipus at Colonus Project presents readings of scenes from Sophocles’ final play, Oedipus at Colonus, as catalyst for powerful, community-driven conversations about homelessness, the immigration and refugee crisis, and the challenges of eldercare during and after the pandemic.