News and Events

In the fall of 2013, Theatre Espresso will launch a new interactive play entitled Secret Soldiers: Women Who Fought in the Civil War.

The U.S. military recorded over 250 cases of women who fought in the Union Army disguised as men. The actual number of women who fought in Civil War was likely much higher. At least three African American women are known to have fought in “colored” regiments. A few cases of Confederate women who fought in disguise are also documented. As our country continues to struggle with gender issues in the military, the play will provide a valuable perspective.

The play will examine a variety of complex issues such as: the variety of reasons why women chose to enlist; how the culture and mores of the era helped women hide their identities; and the vastly different treatment that women who were discovered received in the press, depending on their motivation for enlisting. Related topics such as the formation of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment—the first African American regiment in U.S. history—will be woven in, as they provide a historical context for current discussions about who should serve in the military and in what role. Women such as Ellen Craft and Harriet Tubman who have Boston connections will also be included.

Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz presented Theatre Espresso with an Official State Senate Citation in recognition of our 20th Anniversary and our “Dedication to Bringing History to Life for Students of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

This is the company’s second State Senate Citation. The first was received in 2012 in recognition of Theatre Espresso receiving a National Endowment for the Arts award to perform “American Tapestry: Immigrant Children of the Bread and Roses Strike” for 8^th graders in Lawrence during the centennial of the Strike.

Theatre Espresso has relied in recent years on the very generous support of these funders:

Mass Humanities

National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America Fast-Track Award for 2012

The White Fund

Foley Hoag Foundation

Boston Cultural Council

Massachusetts Cultural Council

Cabot Family Charitable Trust

Friends of Lawrence Heritage State Park

Immigrant City Archives

Edith Glick Schoolman Foundation

Stride Rite Foundation

C. Pringle Charitable Foundation

Nathaniel and Elizabeth P. Stevens Foundation

Esther B. Kahn Charitable Foundation

Eastern Bank

Catherine McCarthy Memorial Trust Fund

Who We Are

Theatre Espresso uses Theatre in Education to teach young people to think critically. We believe that student participation is the key to intellectual engagement with history, issues of human rights, and the concept of justice. Our historical dramas empower students to explore the parallels between historical events and contemporary issues. By putting students in role as Supreme Court Justices, state senators, or members of a jury, our actors invite them to reflect on and debate the issues raised by our plays. We are committed to the idea that educational theatre provides an ideal learning medium for promoting civic engagement. Learn more...

Theatre Espresso is now in residence at Wheelock Family Theatre. To learn more about WFT click here.

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