SYNOPSIS:

Born into slavery in North Carolina, Anna Julia Cooper was a visionary Black feminist and educator in the late 19^th/early 20^th centuries, and only the fourth African American woman to earn a doctoral degree. Tempestuous Elements — the 11^th in Arena Stage’s Power Play cycle—shines a light on Cooper’s tumultuous tenure as Principal of Washington, D.C.’s historic M Street High School where she fought to keep Black education alive, despite the racism, gossip and sexism that threatened to consign her efforts to obscurity.

Directed by Psalmayene 24

Featuring Kelly Renee Armstrong, Joel Ashur, Ro Boddie, Peter Boyer, Renea S. Brown, Gina Daniels, Jonathan Del Palmer, Brittney Dubose, Yetunde Felix-Ukwu, Jasmine Joy, Lolita Marie, Paul Morella, Monique Paige, Kevin E. Thorne II, Renee Elizabeth Wilson