Open to Public
The Drum Major Instinct
Free Event
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
-
Natural DisasterThe Tohoku ProjectThe Tohoku Project: Sumidagawa presents powerful dramatic readings by professional actors of Sumidagawa, a Noh play from the early 15th Century that timelessly depicts the unique challenges faced by parents in the wake of unimaginable disaster. Each reading is followed by the responses of community panelists, culminating in a lively, facilitated audience discussion. This interactive event promotes healthy, constructive dialogue about the lasting impact of the Tohoku disaster upon individuals, families, and communities—fostering compassion, understanding, awareness, and positive action.
-
Addiction & Substance AbuseThe Dionysus ProjectThe Dionysus Project is an innovative public health project that presents readings of scenes from Euripides' Bacchae, an ancient Greek play about the destructive power of intoxication, as a catalyst for town hall discussions about the impact of substance abuse and addiction upon individuals, families, and communities. The project uses an ancient Greek tragedy, written nearly 2500 years ago, to engage audiences in crucial discussions about the timelessness of the human struggle with substance abuse and addiction, as well as resources and solutions that communities can utilize today.
-
Domestic ViolenceMedeaMedea timelessly depicts how scorned passion can lead to revenge and, sometimes, unthinkable violence. This project, which premiered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in June 2016, delves into under-discussed mental health issues that affect women and their families.