Underground

Hear the Sound of Freedom!

A breathtaking musical play that captures one slave's faith and determination to gain freedom for his family.

Presented by Stony Brook Southampton and DuPont Productions LLC

Book and lyrics by Akil DuPont
Lead and vocal composer: Lili Forbes

This story of the American past is a riveting commemoration of the Negro spiritual and its ability to guide weary feet and soothe wounded souls.

1850, more than a decade before America's Civil War begins...

In a story told through song and with dreams of freedom tuggin’ at his soul, Bali plans to escape from slavery after learning that his enslaver, Jacob, intends to sell his young daughter, Emala, in a last-ditch effort to cover financial losses caused by a persistent drought. Bali determines to free himself and Emala from their captor at night, but he encounters opposition from an unexpected source, a house slave named Dembi.

After Emala's mother was sold off by Jacob, Dembi helped raise the newborn Emala for seven years. Dembi has learned to cope with her oppression by dismissing any notion of freedom. Further complicating Bali's plan to find the Underground Railroad is Dembi's skepticism of its actual existence. For her, the only thing worse than the oppression she's always known is the certainty of death as a runaway. As Emala's advocate, Dembi is convinced that the young girl is too frail to survive the grueling journey towards uncertain freedom.

While everyone is sleeping, Jacob hears a commotion outside and sees Dembi and Bali talking. Jacob's feelings enflame, and his rage squeezes its way through his rifle! Now that he suspects his mistress is connected to their escape plan, Dembi has no choice but to run for her life with Bali and Emala!

They strike out in the dead of night, singing Negro spirituals that they hope will protect them on their perilous journey to freedom and guide them to the Underground Railroad. Will Dembi come to believe in the Underground Railroad and risk the ultimate price for freedom, or will she betray her comrades for the familiar? Can Bali protect his daughter and lead them to freedom, or will Jacob find them and drag them back to a life of servitude?

Avram Theater
Stony Brook Southampton

Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 7 pm
Friday, January 31, 2025 at 7 pm
Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 7 pm
Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 2 pm

Purchase Tickets

About the Production

underground play

Adapted from Akil DuPont's 2010 short film that played in 60 countries and won 21 awards, including two Student Emmys, Underground is a story of family, both created and chosen, told through song and stirring melodies of freedom. Winner, Best Production and Best Singer at the 2024 New York Theater Festival.

Through the course of his career as a storyteller in theatre and film, Akil DuPont has earned 31 awards in 44 film festivals including 2 Student Emmys. His films have played in over 60 countries and in 2014, he was named #7 of the top 100 indie filmmakers in the world.

Akil was born and raised in Tallahassee, FL. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Florida A&M University (FAMU) and a MFA in Film Production from Florida State University (FSU).

As an ongoing project, Akil has worked and studied tirelessly to transform his award-winning short film Underground into a musical play worthy of his ancestors. After years of work, Akil was pleased to have Underground world premiere as the Closing Night Event at the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival in 2015, travel to New York City in 2016 to be directed by TONY award winner, Ben Harney, with the Negro Ensemble Company, be the very first show in the inaugural Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival in 2016, have a 2017 production with North Carolina Central University and return to his hometown of Tallahassee in 2019 as a concert production with the Cross-Cultural Coalition.

Akil has worked in the film/television industry in the Atlanta and New York area. He is currently a professor at Pace University and the New York Film Academy. He has also taught with the Georgia Film Academy at Pinewood Film Studios and taught with Clayton State University, Georgia State University, Atlanta Metro State College, Kennesaw State University, University of North Georgia, University of West Georgia, Gwinnett Technical College, Southern Crescent Technical College and Atlanta Technical College.