About Frederick the Musical:
Frederick the Musical began as a short educational performance in 2017, celebrating the bicentennial of Frederick Douglass's birth. In 2018, students from three Milwaukee Public Schools performed the work on the stage of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. as a National Turnaround Arts Showcase.

A new cast of students performed there again in 2024, inspiriting the work to be expanded into a full musical.In July 2024, Ja’Rahn Leveston and Gregory Lathe commenced writing and developing scenes with professional actors at the Kennedy Center through the Social Impact Artist in Residence Program. Further development in the following months led to the full-length premiere of Frederick the Musical at Roosevelt Middle School of the Arts in Milwaukee, WI, in May 2025.

The Story:
Adapted from Frederick Douglass’s own writings, the musical elevates pivotal moments of his extraordinary journey to freedom and his enduring legacy as the father of the Civil Rights movement. It illuminates the incredible strength of his mother, the crucial role of his wife Anna, and his influence in numerous relationships with significant figures in American history.

This powerful narrative unfolds through the perspective of high school drama students. As they rehearse for opening night, portraying the historical figures, they discover profound parallels between Douglass's life and their own experiences.

Musical Style:
Frederick the Musical fittingly incorporates the innovative sounds of Black American music, including hip-hop, soul, and R&B.

Themes:
The musical explores the universal call to freedom and the unwavering pursuit of it, while celebrating resilience amidst tragedy and injustice. The story of Frederick Douglass is a truly inspirational American story.