Recently honoured as one of Windsor's 25 most creative artists, Leslie McCurdy, of Windsor Ontario, has been performing for many years in Southwestern Ontario and the Mid-Western United States as an Actor, Dancer/Choreographer and Singer. Also a teacher with an honours B.F.A. in dance from the University of Michigan, Leslie was artistic Director and Choreographer of a production of The Wiz in a Summer Youth Arts Program that she was instrumental in creating.

She has recently written her own critically acclaimed one-woman play version of the Harriet Tubman story entitled The Spirit of Harriet Tubman, which tours internationally.

The Spirit of Harriet Tubman,

written and played by : Leslie McCurdy

Born into slavery in Maryland, Harriet Tubman not only ran away alone to escape slavery, she returned to the south nineteen times to lead over three hundred other slaves to freedom in the northern United States and Canada. Her work as a nurse and a spy during the civil war was instrumental in helping the North defeat the South, thus forcing the abolition of slavery in the United States. Her entire life was spent working for the benefit of others, while asking little for herself.

The Spirit of Harriet Tubman continues that legacy. Unable to rest as long as there are folks that need guidance, The Spirit of Harriet Tubman, returns time and again to tell her story and share the things she learned along the way.

On a minimally lit, barren stage with a trunk of costumes, The Spirit of Harriet Tubman tells the story of Harriet being hired out at the age of six and going through her solo flight from slavery. The story also tells about her involvement with the Underground, her victorious rescue mission in the civil war and her continued commitment to others in her later years. These stories are told in Harriet Tubman's own words where available. This compelling one woman "docudrama" is valuable for its copious historical content as well as its artistic delivery.

Technical requirements

* Please clear the stage area, one hour before the performance

* Leslie needs a dressing room close to the performance stage

Recommended readings:

*Tubman, Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Her Life in the United States and Canada., by Rosemary Sadlier. published by umbrella Press, 56 Rivercourt Blvd., Toronto Ont. M4J 3A4. Tel: (416) 696-6665/ fax: 696-9189

* Taylor, M.W. Harriet Tubman, Antislavery Activist.. New York: Chelsea House. 1991.

* Bradford, Sarah. Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman.. Secaucus,,N.J. : Citadel Press, 1961.

*Petry, Ann. Harriet Tubman, Conductor on the Underground Railroad. New York: Cromwell, 1955.