Stages Past Four

"Odyssey of Courage"

A Dramatic Reading Mexia Civic Center

Based on Book of Same Title

Mexia, Texas

Braving the weather to attend Reading

.Mexia H.S music dir. Bill Large and wife

chat with Carolyn Anderson.

Cast doing last minute script check

Narrator Postmaster Consuella Fusilier

Valuable Reader Sharon Mathews with Paula read male & female roles.

Brought Sons Above.

Mathew Barnes and brother Da Vion Mathews

Stage Mgr. Paula Mitchell chat with Cameron Boyington pre-play.

WalMart Support Mgr. and WalMart Ass't Mgr. Cameron Boyington share smiles pre-play.

Clancy's store owners David & Kathleen Clancy; Limestone Co. Sheriff Dennis Wilson; Etha Gray with Daishna Williams; Mexia Insurance owner Richard Duncan Daisy Reed. Her A cappela version of "Strange Fruit" was greatest I've ever heard.

Sound Technician Rev. Randall Forge. Many thanks to him.

Wagon & house built, painted by students in Mexia High School art class, Art Instructor - Mark Collins.

I regret that Theater Concepts was so financially strapped that it could not buy a quality camera. As a result of that, pictures of the following cast members are not available: Judge Ray Jones; Rev. Stanley Johnson; and Nabors Cleaners Dave Fitte. My apologies to each of you whose photos were comprimised.

However, my thanks for your participation is truly great. We could not have done it if not for you. Dave Fitte, you went above and beyond the call of duty by lending your voice to Black and White characters. THANKS!

.Both the book 'Odyssey' and the play, are based on stories told to me during the many hours I spent at my grandmothers' knees. She extracted a promise from me that I would not publish them until after her death. The fear she faced during those post-slavery years was so great that she was still afraid of strong retribution. I kept my promise to her. - Etha Gray

Witnesses to History in the making.

I am proud to say that all of the participants in this production were gravely aware that they were making History on the stage this day.

It is the first time that such black and white prestigious citizens came together to celebrate Black History Month in a presentation of this category.

I would like to take a moment to thank Brad Goss, Mgr. Mexia WalMart for allowing his staff time off to participate. Your generous support is appreciated.

The City of Mexia is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 and State Highways 14 and 171. It is approximately 40 miles east of Waco and about 1 & 1/2 hours south of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex.