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by Kim Hines
Civil rights and labor activist Nellie Stone Johnson was a Minnesota hero. Her feisty spirit and drive to succeed made her a political force to be reckoned with on issues of social justice, labor rights, and equality. Renowned playwright Kim Hines tells the remarkable story of a young African-American woman who moved from a farm in northern Minnesota to Minneapolis to attend the U of M. In the face of discrimination at her job Nellie fought back by organizing workers to form a union, breaking numerous race and gender barriers along way.
- Directed by Richard D. Thompson
- Greta Oglesby as Nellie Stone Johnson
- Shá Cage as Nellie Allen
- Ron Collier as Clyde, Herman, Black Minister
- Lynnea Monique Doublette as Mama, Aunt Della, Mary-Lou
- James Craven as Father, Captain Crowder
- Jen Maren as Mrs. Solenberg, Grandma, Ruthie
- Charles Fraser as Fred, Swan, Frank, Paulie
- Tom Winner as Bill, George, Karl, Rabbi Minda
"We’re not asking for what is theirs. We’re only asking for what is ours and a little respect, thank you!"
– Nellie Stone Johnson
With Labor organizations and Unions under attack on the political battlefield, now is the perfect time to reflect on the life of one of Minnesota's most important labor activists and civil rights leaders! Nellie had played an important part in Hubert H. Humphrey's history, on both the local level and the national stage, and made a tangible difference in the lives of those she worked with and all of the people of Minnesota.
Approximate running time of Nellie: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Ticket prices
| Adult | Senior | Student | |
| Tier 1 | $40 | $38 | $15 |
| Tier 2 | $36 | $34 | |
| Tier 3 | $32 | $30 |
Performance calendar
| Thursday, January 24 | 8:00 pm | Preview |
| Friday, January 25 | 8:00 pm | Preview |
| Saturday, January 26 | 8:00 pm | |
| Sunday, January 27 | 2:00 pm | |
| Thursday, January 31 | 10:00 am | |
| Friday, February 1 | 10:00 am | |
| Friday, February 1 | 8:00 pm | |
| Saturday, February 2 | 8:00 pm | |
| Sunday, February 3 | 2:00 pm | |
| Thursday, February 7 | 10:00 am | |
| Friday, February 8 | 10:00 am | |
| Friday, February 8 | 8:00 pm | |
| Saturday, February 9 | 8:00 pm | |
| Sunday, February 10 | 2:00 pm | |
| Thursday, February 14 | 10:00 am | |
| Friday, February 15 | 10:00 am | |
| Friday, February 15 | 8:00 pm | |
| Saturday, February 16 | 8:00 pm | |
| Sunday, February 17 | 2:00 pm |
Events and Happenings
AFTERTHOUGHTS - A History of Labor Unions
Sunday, January 27 / 4:15 pm
Sponsored by
A free discussion with Peter Rachleff, (professor of history at Macalester College who conducts research in U.S. labor, immigration and African American history) following the matinee performance of Nellie.
Sponsored by Cummins & Cummins, LLP
FREE to ticketed patrons of Sunday's performance.
PASSPORT TO HISTORY – Don't Stand Still
Thursday, January 31 / 12:15 pm
Sponsored by
Don't Stand Still: Featuring original songs, stories, and poetry by Smithsonian Folkways recording artist, Larry Long; spoken word poet, Brittany Delaney; and recording artist and actress, Tonia Hughes.
As part of History Theatre’s Passport to History Theatre program, participants will be invited to participate in an interactive post-show presentation which will introduce them to several American folksongs that underscore the use of music in various social and political movements in American history.
FREE to participants in the Passport to History program
PASSPORT TO HISTORY – Don't Stand Still
Friday, February 1 / 12:15 pm
Sponsored by
Don't Stand Still: Featuring original songs, stories, and poetry by Smithsonian Folkways recording artist, Larry Long; spoken word poet, Brittany Delaney; and recording artist and actress, Tonia Hughes.
As part of History Theatre’s Passport to History Theatre program, participants will be invited to participate in an interactive post-show presentation which will introduce them to several American folksongs that underscore the use of music in various social and political movements in American history.
FREE to participants in the Passport to History program
LABOR PARTY - benefitting the Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship
Friday, February 1 / 6:30 pm
Celebrate the legacy of Nellie Stone Johnson at a pre-show reception in the lobby featuring live music, guest speakers, and light hors d’oeuvres.
$5 from every ticket purchased for the 8:00 p.m. performance on Feb. 1 will be donated to the Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship Foundation which honors the legacy of their namesake by providing financial assistance to racial minority union members and their families who wish to pursue an education at one of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
AFTERTHOUGHTS - Labor Unions in the Arts
Sunday, February 3 / 4:15 pm
A free discussion with Charles Fraser (AEA Liaison Committee for the Twin Cities region), Sue Scott (SAG/AFTRA), and a member of the Musicians' Union to discuss the place of labor unions in the performing arts following the matinee performance of Nellie.
FREE to ticketed patrons of Sunday's performance.
PASSPORT TO HISTORY – Don't Stand Still
Thursday, February 7 / 12:15 pm
Sponsored by
Don't Stand Still: Featuring original songs, stories, and poetry by Smithsonian Folkways recording artist, Larry Long; spoken word poet, Brittany Delaney; and recording artist and actress, Tonia Hughes.
As part of History Theatre’s Passport to History Theatre program, participants will be invited to participate in an interactive post-show presentation which will introduce them to several American folksongs that underscore the use of music in various social and political movements in American history.
FREE to participants in the Passport to History program
PASSPORT TO HISTORY – Don't Stand Still
Friday, February 8 / 12:15 pm
Sponsored by
Don't Stand Still: Featuring original songs, stories, and poetry by Smithsonian Folkways recording artist, Larry Long; spoken word poet, Brittany Delaney; and recording artist and actress, Tonia Hughes.
As part of History Theatre’s Passport to History Theatre program, participants will be invited to participate in an interactive post-show presentation which will introduce them to several American folksongs that underscore the use of music in various social and political movements in American history.
FREE to participants in the Passport to History program
Social Six-Pack
Friday, February 8 / 8:00 pm
Bring five friends and make a night of it—perfect for a fun, evening outing for a group of co-workers and friends!
One price includes six drink tickets to use at the concessions stand and six discounted tickets to the 8 p.m. performance of Nellie.
$210 Tier 1
$180 Tier 2
LABOR PARTY: Women in Leadership - benefitting the Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship
Saturday, February 9 / 6:30 pm
Celebrate the legacy of Nellie Stone Johnson and some of today's women in leadership who are following in her footsteps. A pre-show reception in the lobby will feature guest speakers, live music, and light hors d’oeuvres.
$5 from every ticket purchased for the 8:00 p.m. performance on Feb. 9 will be donated to the Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship Foundation which honors the legacy of their namesake by providing financial assistance to racial minority union members and their families who wish to pursue an education at one of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
AFTERTHOUGHTS - Women in Labor Leadership
Sunday, February 10 / 4:15 pm
A free discussion with Nancy Goldman (President of UNITE local 17) and other current female leaders of labor unions to discuss the history of women in the workforce and the labor movement following the matinee performance of Nellie.
FREE to ticketed patrons of Sunday's performance.
* * PLEASE NOTE * *
The date (2/7) on the promotional mailer is incorrect. The AFTERTHOUGHTS post-show discussion will be on Sunday, February 10.
PASSPORT TO HISTORY – Don't Stand Still
Friday, February 15 / 12:15 pm
Sponsored by
Don't Stand Still: Featuring original songs, stories, and poetry by Smithsonian Folkways recording artist, Larry Long; spoken word poet, Brittany Delaney; and recording artist and actress, Tonia Hughes.
As part of History Theatre’s Passport to History Theatre program, participants will be invited to participate in an interactive post-show presentation which will introduce them to several American folksongs that underscore the use of music in various social and political movements in American history.
FREE to participants in the Passport to History program
WINTER BUNDLE
Sunday, February 17 / 2:00 pm
Save up to 38% on when you purchase single tickets for both Nellie and Courting Harry in the same transaction.
Tickets must be purchased by phone (651.292.4323) or in person; this offer is not available online.
It is only valid for 8 p.m. performances, excluding opening nights. This offer may not be applied to previously purchased tickets and cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.
AFTERTHOUGHTS - Don and Arvonne Fraser
Sunday, February 17 / 4:15 pm
A free discussion with special guests Don and Arvonne Fraser, the political power-couple of Minnesota in the late 20th century, following the matinee performance of Nellie.
Don served on the Minnesota Senate, (1954-1962), then the United States House of Representatives (1963-1979), and served as president of Americans for Democratic Action from 1974 to 1976. He was elected mayor of Minneapolis in 1979, and was the longest-serving mayor in Minneapolis history from January 1, 1980 until December 31, 1993 (succeeded by the city's first female and first African-American mayor, Sharon Sayles Belton).
Arvonne is a published author who has received numerous awards and commendations for her service and advocacy for social justice and progressive policies. She served as national president of Women's Equity Action League from 1972-4, was director of the Office of Women in Development at the U.S. Agency for International Development from 1977-1981 after serving as Counselor, Office of Presidential Personnel in the Carter administration and, earlier, as Upper Midwest Director of the Carter for President campaign. She was a senior fellow at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota from 1982 to 1994 where she directed the International Women's Rights Action Project (IWRAW) and co-founded the school's Center on Women and Public Policy. And from 1993 - 1994 she served as US Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
FREE to ticketed patrons of Sunday's performance.
* * PLEASE NOTE * *
The date (2/14) on the promotional mailer is incorrect. The AFTERTHOUGHTS post-show discussion will be on Sunday, February 17.
Cast
Cast list is not yet available for this show.
Creative team
Creative team list is not yet available for this show.
In the press
"Nellie" at The History Theatre
"Greta and Shá both give strong performances as the elder and younger Nellie. Greta is the wise woman at the end of her life, while Shá transforms from the young and uncertain woman to someone who recognizes unfair treatment and steps up to fix it. It's an almost physical transformation; at the end of the show, when the two Nellies are standing side by side, they almost look like the same person."History Theatre's 'Nellie' sparks interest in labor and rights activist
"Greta Oglesby conveys the elder Nellie with a wise serenity that provides quite a contrast to Sha Cage's portrayal of the young, passionate risk-taker who worked to change the world."Long life comes up short in 'Nellie' at History Theatre
"Portrayed with impeccable grace and wisdom by Greta Oglesby, older Nellie weaves through the action… Shá Cage shows off an inexhaustible reserve of energy, expressing the spirit of young Nellie. Cage never settles for self pity in her portrait of a woman who endured life’s slings and arrows with a fierce work ethic and an ardor for justice."THEATER REVIEW | History Theatre's "Nellie" tells an important Minnesota labor rights story
Nellie Johnson’s story of personal commitment and personal cost is similar to that of Rosa Parks, a well-known hero of the civil rights movement. Those attending will be rewarded with a compelling political history of Nellie’s unsung heroism.Local actor has lead in world premiere of ‘Nellie’
"Cage strikes an imposing, energetic figure of the young Nellie Stone Johnson, a woman filled with dreams of a better life. A woman with the courage to stand up to adversity and to take risks."From fending off threats, racial slurs and discrimination to daring to start a labor union after her pay as an elevator operator was cut from $15 to $12.50 a week at the all-male Minneapolis Athletic Club, Johnson’s tenacious leadership qualities shines through in Cage’s depiction of Johnson."
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Accessible performances
ASL interpreted
- Sunday, February 3 / 2:00 pm
Audio described
- Sunday, February 3 / 2:00 pm
This project is supported in part by an award from
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