Monumental Baptist Church was founded in 1826 when six free Black men and women gathered in the home of Abel and Ebba Ward in what was then Blockley Township (now West Philadelphia) to establish a new Baptist congregation. From those humble beginnings, the church has grown into a historic institution that has served the Philadelphia community for two centuries.

This short dramatic piece imagines what it would look like if those six founders stepped forward through time and walked into the church today to witness the legacy their faith helped create.

Actors will portray the following historical figures:

• Abel Ward
• Ebba Ward
• George H. Black (later ordained as the church’s first pastor)
• Sarah Black
• Jacob Gardner
• Nancy Francis

The presentation will take place at the beginning of the anniversary worship service and will last approximately 4–5 minutes. Actors will enter the sanctuary dressed in early 1800s-inspired attire and move through the space as if discovering the modern congregation and worship environment for the first time. Each actor will deliver a few short scripted lines reflecting on faith, courage, and legacy.

The tone of the performance is reflective and dramatic rather than theatrical or comedic. The goal is to create a powerful moment where history and the present meet, allowing the congregation to reflect on the legacy of those who came before them.

Actors should be comfortable performing in front of a live congregation and embodying historical figures with dignity and authenticity.

Because this is a milestone celebration for a historic Philadelphia church, the service will be professionally recorded with high-quality video, photography, and social media coverage. Actors will have the opportunity to receive professional footage and photos from the performance, which may be used for personal portfolios, reels, or promotional purposes.

The event takes place in 10 days, so we are looking for actors who can commit to a quick turnaround with one brief rehearsal prior to the event.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a once-in-a-generation celebration marking 200 years of faith, leadership, and community impact in Philadelphia.