Playwright and Kean University alumnus Benjamin V. Marshall ’73 has brought the dramatic history of a New Jersey abolitionist to life for audiences at the Bauer Boucher Theatre Center on Kean’s Union campus.
Produced by Premiere Stages at Kean, the play “Still” is based on the true story of a meeting between William Still, a conductor of the Underground Railroad in Philadelphia, and freed slave Peter Friedman in the 1850s.
“I’ve always had an interest in history, and their story being a part of New Jersey history made it more interesting to me,” Marshall said. “The idea of two strangers meeting in a room is fraught with so many dramatic ideas.”
“Still” was performed as part of Premiere Stages’ Liberty Live series, which began 12 years ago to dramatize important moments and honor pivotal figures in the state’s history. John J. Wooten, producing artistic director of Premiere Stages, commissioned Marshall to write the play.
“I knew William Still’s story had to be told because it’s true, compelling and unforgettable,” Wooten said. “Ben has experience writing historical dramas and was the winner of our Bauer Boucher Alumni Award, which honors a Kean writer each year.”
Marshall received dual Bachelor of Arts degrees from Kean – in English and in Speech & Theatre – in 1973. He then studied playwriting at Hunter College and received an MFA from the University of Massachusetts.
He grew up in Newark and East Orange and came to Kean on a state scholarship. It wasn’t long before he found a home in the theatre department.
“Within my first four days on campus, I went to the Theatre Guild, and I was involved ever since,” he said. “I think it was my junior year that I wrote a couple of plays.”
Marshall wrote plays and musicals, directed productions while attending the University, and benefited from many learning opportunities.
“Zella Fry, we called her Mrs. Fry, taught creative dramatics and children’s theatre. She created a work-study job where I would play piano for creative dramatics classes and children’s theatre classes,” he said. “I saw how improvisation could help shape a play and understood that motivation and characterization and dramatic tension had to come first before dialogue.”
He recalled “excellent instruction” at Kean, noting the impact of two members of the faculty in particular: Dr. James Murphy (deceased) and retired professor Margaret A. Dunn, Ph.D.
Marshall’s plays have been produced around the world from Off-Broadway to Australia. He has also published poetry, fiction, and essays in literary magazines and recently retired as a professor of African American literature at Middlesex College.
Being back on Kean’s campus to assist in the production of “Still” was familiar yet new for him.
“It’s weird because it’s coming home but not deja vu because home has just expanded. This theatre was entirely different when I was here,” he said.
“Still” explores issues such as trust, belonging, family importance along with slavery’s traumatic history through its characters’ eyes.
In his Playwright’s Notes, Marshall wrote about William Still: “I hope I did justice to his story and those of all the others.”
Wooten noted how “Still” impacted audiences.
“A patron leaving the theatre after the play said to me, ‘How could I have never heard of William Still? His achievements were incredible! I’m going to go home and Google him,’” Wooten said. “At Premiere Stages we seek to entertain but also educate. William Still’s legacy should be celebrated and honored.”
“Still” ran through Sunday, July 28 at Bauer Boucher Theatre Center at Kean University.
