SCENE 1 — SONG: WHAT DO YOU SEE
ROSETTA
What do you see when you see a man?
ENSEMBLE
What do you see when you see a man?
ROSETTA
What do you see that makes you understand?
ENSEMBLE
What do you see when you see a man?
ROSETTA
Would you know that man wasn’t sure of the day he was born?
ENSEMBLE
What do you see when you see a man?
ROSETTA
Could his eyes tell you he’d been through it and had seen it all?
ENSEMBLE
What do you see when you see a man?
ROSETTA
Who is this man? The most photographed man of his century.
(Frederick enters center stage followed by the ANCESTORS. They take their place.)
FREDERICK
My name is Frederick, I come from Maryland.
Was born to my slave mother, father never met him.
ENSEMBLE
Frederick.
FREDERICK
Even still I bet ‘em life for me was gon' be different.
If I was gon' be free I would have to learn and listen.
ENSEMBLE
Frederick.
FREDERICK
If I was gon’ be free I would have to learn to listen.
ENSEMBLE
Frederick.
FREDERICK
If I was gon’ be free I would have to learn to read.
SOPHIA AULD
Ok now Frederick quietly this time, so master doesn’t hear. Sound it out.
YOUNG FREDERICK
Man. Wo-man. Hu-man.
SOPHIA AULD
Good! Now these words.
YOUNG FREDERICK
Free-dom. Morn-ing. Ed-u-ca-tion.
SOPHIA AULD
Excellent!
DRAMA SCENE 1
MR. JAY
(Interrupting scene after applause)
Alright, alright hold. Hold! Renne, you're coming out a smidge too late. Carlee you're still moving early on the first Frederick. And everyone, the heartbeat is this! Not this!
CARLEE
I know if we do this scene again, I'm gonna beat a hole in my chest! It's turning purple!
SHANIYAH
That's because you're doing it wrong. Stupid!
TYLER
At least there's a reason and a solution for it! Modern science has yet to figure out the enigma that is your face!
(Cast laughter.)
MR. JAY
We can't keep getting distracted by this goofiness! The heartbeat is important. What do I keep saying?
ALL
“The heart keeps us alive.”