8th Graders See One Noble Journey

“He completely mesmerized 300+ eighth graders.”
“One of the best plays I’ve seen.”
“Fabulous performance!  Great energy!  Bring him back next year!!”


Local educators had high praise for actor Mike Wiley’s one-man drama, One Noble Journey, that over 2,000 local eighth graders saw in September as part of the arts council’s Students Take pART in the ARTs program.

From the moment he began his show by climbing out of a big wooden crate as Henry “Box” Brown, a slave who entombed himself in a small wooden container and shipped himself to Philadelphia and life as free man, Wiley had the students’ attention.  He told the incredible story of Brown and also of William and Ellen Craft, who triumphed against overwhelming odds to gain their freedom.

Students and faculty members were seamlessly brought into the performance to serve as extras -- Brown’s brother, an evil overseer, German sisters who had been enslaved.  Wiley followed each performance by answering the students’ questions about slavery, how he developed the play and his life as a professional actor.

Teachers received a study guide to help them incorporate the performance into the eighth grade study of American history.  Teachers also were invited to attend a free in-service workshop led by Wiley.

Wiley returned to Cabarrus County in November and presented a longer version of One Noble Journey for an enthusiastic audience at the Concord Library.

Students Take pART in the ARTs is made possible by arts council sponsors:  CT Communications, First Charter and The Independent Tribune.