Liberty Live History
In chronological order
From June to September, Premiere Stages accepts proposals from New Jersey playwrights for plays that explore compelling stories about a historical event or events.

2019 - 2020
Robey
By Joe Sutton
In 1919, Paul Robeson (Robey to his college friends) was asked to give the valedictory address at Rutgers University. As the first African American student to be selected for this honor, he was very conflicted about the tone and message of the monumental speech. Robey explores his journey as he prepares his remarks, overcoming the doubts and fears that filled a young man at a pivotal point in New Jersey’s history.

2017 - 2018
Black Tom Island
By Martin Casella
Based on an actual incident that took place in Jersey City in 1916, Black Tom Island explores the first documented terrorist attack on American soil through the lens of a fictionalized Slovak immigrant and his wife who may or may not be involved in the attack.

2015 - 2016
My Lord, What a Night
By Deborah Brevoort
Based on actual events, My Lord, What a Night provides a thought-provoking account of the night legendary singer Marian Anderson spent at the home of Albert Einstein. What begins as an event that threatens to divide the Princeton community ends with a lifetime bond between two of New Jersey’s most fascinating people of the 20th century.

2013 - 2014
At Liberty Hall
By James Christy
At Liberty Hall follows two high school students who’ve just moved to New Jersey: Cristian Rosario, a funny but unfocused teenager from Queens by way of the Dominican Republic; and Alexander Hamilton, 16, the subject of Cristian’s 10th grade history project. This time-bending story finds common threads of humor, honor and awkwardness as told through the experiences of a someday-Founding Father and a kid looking for a way out of the projects.

2011 - 2012
Talking to Westfield
By E.M. Lewis
Does the key to Trevor’s future lie somewhere in Westfield’s past? During a visit to the Westfield Museum with his Dad, history begins to come to life – and Trevor has to figure out how to find his way home.