The Touring Theatre Ensemble of North Carolina, in partnership with the Greensboro Public Library, will perform “The Life and Times of Fannie Lou Hamer,” a dramatic production about the Mississippi civil rights activist who risked everything in her struggle for the right to vote. The goal of this production, written by Greensboro playwright Brenda Schleunes, is to promote a citywide dialogue on race relations and civil rights.

Funded by the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, a free performance is scheduled for 8 p.m. Monday, March 28, in Elliott University Center Auditorium on the UNCG campus. No reservations are required.

“‘The Life and Times of Fannie Lou Hamer’ exemplifies how the courage of one person can affect positive change within a community,” says Steve Sumerford, assistant director for the Greensboro Public Library. “This theatre documentary complements Greensboro’s efforts to improve race relations through such programs as the library’s One City, One Book program and various racial justice initiatives.”

In keeping with the tradition of Touring Theatre Ensemble, the production includes music – spirituals and songs of the civil rights movement. Each performance will be followed by a brief moderated discussion about reactions to Hamer’s story.

A largely unsung hero of the civil rights movement, her pivotal contribution remains unknown to many Americans. Her determination to vote despite firings, imprisonment and beatings earned her national attention. She spoke at the 1964 Democratic Convention and her efforts are regarded as instrumental in getting the civil rights bill passed.

In her own words, she did it because she “was sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Thus, when the Freedom Riders came to Sunflower County, Miss., the poorest county in the state, she was among the first blacks to travel to the courthouse to attempt to register and was one of two allowed to take the literary test, which she failed. Upon her return home, she was fired from her job on a plantation and had shots fired into the house where she was thought to be staying. Things only got worse from there, but she stayed committed: “Killing or no killing, I am staying with civil rights,” she said.

“Fannie Lou Hamer said she just wanted to become a ‘first-class citizen,’” says Schleunes, founder and artistic director of the Touring Theatre Ensemble. “This production and the discussions that will follow give us a chance to explore who feels first-class and who doesn’t in our community today. We invite everyone from middle-school age on up to come see the play and to join in those discussions.”

This performance is sponsored by the Department of History, the African American Studies Program, Multicultural Affairs, and the Women’s & Gender Studies Program of UNCG. For more information, call (336) 334-5673.