On Buried Ground
2024

Step back in time and uncover the powerful stories of resilience and survival in colonial Philadelphia with On Buried Ground, a captivating performance and exhibition that brings to life the hidden histories of enslaved and freed people of African descent. This immersive experience invites you to explore the rich tapestry of Philadelphia’s past through the talents of dance artist Shayla-Vie Jenkins, playwright Rayne (Angela Bey), and director Nia Benjamin. Together, they weave a captivating evening of theatrical storytelling that is both enlightening and moving, informed by recently digitized archival records.

In addition to the live performances, experience Groundings: An Exhibition, where you can journey through curated visual art, historical records, and interpretations to explore the known and unknown histories of Black congregants at Christ Church. 

All performances at 7:00pm nightly. 

Wednesday, September 4 (preview show)
Thursday, September 5
Friday, September 6
Saturday, September 7 
Thursday, September 12
Friday, September 13
Saturday, September 14

Join us for an unforgettable experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the strength and resilience of the human spirit. This is your opportunity to witness history come alive and to be part of a powerful tribute to those who paved the way for future generations. Don’t miss this unique event that promises to enlighten, inspire, and captivate audiences of all ages. This is more than a performance; it’s a chance to connect with the spirits of the past and to honor the ancestors whose stories have long been buried.

Groundings: An Exhibition

Live performances are complemented by Groundings: An Exhibition, an immersive exhibition that brings to life everyday acts of resilience and survival by Black people, both free and enslaved, in colonial Philadelphia. Through speculative storytelling and tangible peaks into the interiority of some of the individuals portrayed in the On Buried Ground performance, the visitor will deepen their experience of the ancestors called forth.

The resulting multi-movement program unites the historic bell tolls of “The Nation’s Church,” the majesty of the intricately constructed organ, and the Ensemble’s characteristic focus on place and community into a one-of-a-kind sonic experience—a worthy welcome to an instrument that will continue to ring in the ears of visitors for the next 300 years.

Black Bibliographies: A Conversation and Workshop – Sept. 17

Join Groundings Curator Malkia Okech and community archivist Wynn Eakins in conversation to explore how the politics of memory and knowledge production impact Black history and research. Black Bibliographies is an invitation to learn about our local archival repositories and how to approach research questions about Black history. Gain insight on what went into research for the Groundings Exhibit, and hear from memory workers with vast experience in various Philadelphia-area archives.

Meet the Performance Artists

Shayla-Vie Jenkins

Rayne (Angela Bey)

Nia Benjamin

Groundings: An Exhibition

Groundings is a multidisciplinary exhibition that leverages visual art, historical records, and storytelling to explore the known and unknown histories of Black congregants at Christ Church. One such congregant was Alice of Dunk’s Ferry (1686 – 1802), who was a notable historian and storyteller.  Visitors will peek into some of the individuals portrayed in the On Buried Ground performance, and thus deepen their experience of the ancestors called forth. This exhibit features original work by artists Misty Sol, Destiny Crockett, Theodore Harris, and Intisar Hamilton.

“The exhibit provides a multifaceted exploration of Black history in and around Christ Church, revealing narratives that have often been overlooked,” said the exhibit’s  curator Malkia Okech. “Parishioners of Christ Church included both free and enslaved Black people who had complete and whole multifaceted lives. There is so much we do not know, so this exhibit attempts to shed light on methods of art and research that attempt to fill these gaps.”

Audiences will encounter historical records, audio sensory experiences, and art that gives audiences an experience that makes the histories of the enslaved and free people of African descent in Philadelphia, and also considers what grounds us in time, place, and our identities. Running July 26, 2024 – January 1, 2025.

Malkia Okech is the curator of Groundings: An Exhibition. They are a memory worker, researcher, cultural producer, and community archaeologist. Their praxis is formed by the past, present, and future continuum of freedom dreaming.

In the News

Meet the Visual Artists

Misty Sol

Destiny Crockett

Intisar Hamilton

Theodore A. Harris

Support for On Buried Ground

Major support for On Buried Ground has been provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts.