Trumpet of Freedom: The Saga of John Brown

Radical abolitionist John Brown comes alive again on Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel. A prophet for racial justice, and organizer of the 1859 raid on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, which led to his execution and fed the fires of rising tension between the North and South, John Brown is resurrected by the veteran actor, Norman Thomas Marshall. Marshall does a one-man performance, "Trumpet of Freedom: The Saga of John Brown." This event is free and open to the public. 

Peter Hinks, assistant professor of history, who arranged Marshall's appearance, says, "He captures Brown's wild and impassioned mission for God and freedom and makes tangible for the viewer a depth of conviction about fighting slavery that can seem very inaccessible to modern-day students. As a historian, I think this historical drama is recreated with accuracy, accessibility and remarkable emotional depth."  Hinks added, "I can only hope that many more will be enabled to share in the world of this impassioned man who Norman Thomas Marshall so powerfully illuminates on the stage. On November 29, John Brown sets the world on fire again for freedom and God." 

Marshall has been a professional actor for 32 years. He has participated in more than 300 productions -- stage, film, television and radio -- as actor, producer or director. Marshall has shared the stage and screen with such notable performers as F. Murray Abraham, Raul Julia, Moses Gunn, Bette Midler, Peter Reigert, Burt Reynolds, Telly Savalas, Barbara Streisand and Fritz Weaver. He has also appeared numerous times in a variety of daytime television dramas and is a familiar voice for some of the animated spots shown on the popular children's TV program, Sesame Street.