Sign up for our Newsletter

“Underground: Hear the Sound of Freedom” makes its Long Island premiere at the Avram Theater at Stony Brook Southampton. (Photo courtesy of Wendy Pearson)

At the end of this month, the Avram Theater located at Stony Brook University’s Southampton campus (39 Tuckahoe Road) will hold its first major theatrical performance in almost 20 years.

Making its Long Island premiere on January 30 is Akil DuPont’s production of Underground: Hear the Sound of Freedom, a musical following the journey of a man’s fight for freedom, which he tries to achieve for himself and his family by joining the Underground Railroad, about a decade before the start of the Civil War. Adopted from a 2010 short film from DuPont, the landmark performance arrives just in time for the start of Black History Month, “underscoring the theater’s dedication to presenting diverse and meaningful stories,” says Wendy Pearson, vice president for strategic initiatives and executive director of Stony Brook Southampton. Additionally, the performance marks the initiation of reintroducing the theater space to residents of the Hamptons.

Stony Brook Southampton’s Avram Theatre was originally part of Southampton College and underwent extensive renovations in 2007. (Photo courtesy of Wendy Pearson)

“As part of our efforts to revitalize the campus, we were looking to bring the arts back and to reinvigorate that theater,” Pearson says. “I like to think of the arts as well as athletics as kind of a front door of a campus, right? And it’s right there at the corner of Tuckahoe and Montauk Highway. So, it’s kind of that accessible point for the campus. While we do have a lot of facility issues on the Southampton campus, the Avram theater is gorgeous.”

Originally a part of the former Southampton College, the theater was a site of leading artistic events from as far back as the 1980s. In 1998 the theater was named for Dr. Morrell “Michael” Avram and his wife, Maria, long-time patrons of the arts who supported its renovation, notes Pearson. Following renovations in 2007 to modernize its facilities, the theater is now equipped to host diverse artistic endeavors, including readings, recitals, operas, and celebrated events like Pianofest. Its adjoining Avram Family Art Gallery further enriches the space, with its latest exhibition displaying works by the late painter and East Hampton resident Joe Zucker, whose art explores American slavery and the cotton industry.

DuPont’s “Underground” has been shown around the world and was the 2024 winner of the Best Production Winner at the New York Theater Festival. (Photo courtesy of Wendy Pearson)

Finding a clear path for the future of the theater has been a major priority for Pearson, saying “we were looking to bring in original work, things that you couldn’t see someplace else.” That’s how she and her team came to DuPont’s Underground.  “Akil and I met back in 2010 when Underground was a short, a student short. He had been on my radar for quite some time.”

For DuPont, the performance at the theater is equally compelling opportunity to continue his successful campaign of his acclaimed play. “I think there’s a great sort of magic that can happen in the storytelling of a period piece,” he says. The storytelling just goes wherever the project needs to go. Modern-day storytelling works just as well, as long as the as long as the storyline hits everyone.”

DuPont’s films has been shown around the world, in over 60 countries. Just last year, Underground was named the Best Production Winner at the New York Theater Festival.

For performances of this play, while it may not hit everyone, it promises to hit a more than good amount, as Stony Brook Southampton will welcome 600 local high school students from the East End school districts to two daytime performances, according to a press release from the university. Performances for the general public start on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m., continuing on Friday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m.

General admission is $55, Tickets are available here.

X
X