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Friday, March 21, 2025, brought Westfield State students, faculty, and community members together in the Dever auditorium to witness a captivating one-woman-show, Tubman, featuring the brilliant Lacresha Berry, an artist and performer with roots in both New York City and Kentucky. Berry’s show spotlights a distinct and exceptional retelling of Harriet Tubman's legacy and life. The performance, co-sponsored by The Office of Belonging, Inclusion, and Learning and The Ethnic and Gender Studies Department, was eagerly awaited by the Owl community. 

“I remember being completely captivated by her performance and you’re really in for a treat tonight. Just her words, her presence, the way she put everything together made history feel really alive and urgent,” said Jenyka Spitz-Gassnola, the Westfield State University Director of Belonging, Inclusion, and Learning, as she reflected on her first experience with the performance in 2017. 

After a warm Westfield State welcome, Berry launched into the retelling which combines spoken word, singing, storytelling and dancing, each element working to create an immersive and captivating show. Tubman centers around the re-envisioning of American abolitionist Harriet Tubman as a teenaged girl, named Araminta, and her experiences with injustice in high school. Berry flawlessly shifts between a diverse cast of characters, many shaped by Berry’s real life associates, including one named Mrs. Berry who was modeled after Lacresha Berry herself.

After the stirring performance put on by Berry, which was followed by a round of applause and cheers from the Westfield State community, the floor was opened for questions, comments, and discussion. The animated audience provided Berry with various compelling queries, one surrounding the inspiration behind and process of creating the show. 

Berry shared that the idea for the show came to her eight years ago as she pondered what Harriet Tubman might do in today’s world. “I started doing a lot of research. I started digging in and I started to realize she’s a lot like me, she was just in a different time,” says Berry. She also wanted to present a modernized demonstration that would resonate with students and younger audiences and would strengthen a sense of togetherness and connection. Berry also highlighted that during her creative process, the songs came to her first and the story line was built around the songs. 

In closing, Berry expressed her dedication to spreading awareness through her performance and utilizing the show as a method to empower younger generations. As she concluded the evening, the audience responded with a round of applause, showing their appreciation for the performance's depth, creativity, and emotional resonance.