Up & Coming Weekly

FEBRUARY 17 - 23, 2010 UCW 13 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Fayetteville native Anthony Stokes started his acting career in the Fayetteville favorite The Best Christmas Pagaent Ever when he was in about the fi fth or sixth grade. He was a sheperd. It was there on stage, with his staff in hand that Stokes knew he'd found his calling. "I felt like on the stage was where I was most at home," said Stokes. "I owe a lot to Bo Thorpe (Cape Fear Regional Theater artistic director). I always remember her when I think about where I am now. She is such an encouragement to many young people who choose to pursue acting careeers." Since his debut, Stokes has gone on to college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he majored in drama and journalism, and then on to New York City where he is currently based as a performer. He's set to embark on his first large scale adventure in theater where he will be traveling for the next six months with Freedom Train, which tells the story of Harriet Tubman. He portrays David, Harriet's brother. This popular piece has been running for more than 30 years as Theatreworks USA tours the country teaching the story of the leader of the underground railroad. Harriet Tubman was born a slave but escaped from a Maryland plantation when she was 25. She dodged tracking dogs and outwitted slave hunters along the way and made it to freedom. Instead of moving on and creating a new life for herself, Tubman reached back to the people she left behind and helped them to escape their masters and start new lives,too. Her escape route became known as the Underground Railroad, and Tubman used this path to guide more than 300 slaves to freedom. Like most great personalities in history, Tubman was inspired and encouraged throughout her life, which is where her brother David played a big part in her decision to run away to the North "David is Harriett's older brother. He is the one that makes her realize how important it is to go north," said Stokes. "I like characters that are fi ghters and David is a fi ghter. Many slaves just did what they were told and didn't try to break away from what was expected of them, but David is rebellious and that intrigues me." This performances is designed for school age children, and will visit Fayetteville on Feb. 19 at the Crown Theatre. "The Harriet Tubman story is a great learning opportunity. It usually comes out as kids are learning about black history," said Stokes, adding that "It is so important to teach children the history of how far our country has come. Teaching history to kids is always important." Call 438-4100 for more info. Fayetteville Actor Takes a Ride on Freedom Train by STEPHANIE CRIDER STEPHANIE CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 106 or Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. Crown Theatre, 8 PM Tickets Available Now (910) 438-4100 or Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. For Information Call (910) 323-1991 All the and with one of the greatest female show groups of all time! We Are Family He's the Greatest Dancer Got to Love Somebody Featuring Kathy Sledge Community Concerts Presents CROWN THEATRE Rescheduled for Feb. 18 8 p.m.

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