North

In her debut theatrical production, Ashli St. Armant brings us North, a new musical for children and their families. Follow precocious Lawrence and his mother, Minnie, as they escape the Deep South and travel North through the Underground Railroad to seek freedom. Their route through the Louisiana’s bayous, the bustling city of New Orleans, and the young town of Lawrence, Kansas introduces Lawrence, Minnie, and the audience to the diverse, multi-faceted lives of Black Americans during this time period. Set in the 1850s, North is based on actual accounts of slave escapes through the Underground Railroad network, as well as Ms. St. Armant’s personal family history of overcoming slavery in Louisiana. While acknowledging the realities of slavery, the book and original musical compositions by Ms. St. Armant bring out the full experience of freedom-seekers: optimism, bravery, playfulness, wonder, suspense, and mystery.

Ashli St. Armant is known for her award-winning work in children's education and entertainment, including her band, Jazzy Ash and Leaping Lizards, and her Audible mystery series, Viva Durant, which includes New York Times bestselling story, Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons. An Orange County native, Ashli St. Armant has been a part of Segerstrom Center for the Arts as a Teaching Artist for our Arts Teach program with her band Jazzy Ash and leaping Lizards. North is Ms. St. Armant’s debut theatrical production.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is proud to be one of three Performing Arts Centers commissioning this production. North is the inaugural family series commission for Segerstrom Center for the Arts.