Trudy Williams, Playwright

I write humanities-based shows that bring to life on stage the public history, culture, and stories inspired by my research in archives, special collections and exhibits of libraries, museums and historical societies. I aim to give general audiences, cast and crew an exciting, in-the-moment time and physical place of shared enjoyment, feelings and finding things out.

Using the music of various times as the portal, a lively mix of facts and interpretations connects the dots between history, culture and social meaning then and now. Each multi-media show combines a researched narrative, live music, theatrical cameos and vignettes (using fictionalized dialog that also includes excerpts from historical manuscripts), and large screen archival images. The format allows me easily change parts of a show to reflect results of my own and area local research initiatives that inclusively expand the narrative of American history and culture. There is always an audience sing-along component during the show, and a Q&A at the end.

I hope the shows also help expand community awareness about local historic and humanities resources and the role preservation plays in facilitating discoveries of our fuller American narrative. 

Since 2010, shows I have authored and co-authored have been performed live at The Library of Congress; Lincoln Center Public Programs Series at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts; American Repertory Theater at Oberon, co-sponsored by Harvard Houghton Library and A.R.T Special Programs; Yale University Institute of Sacred Music; Long Island Museum of American Art and History; Emily Dickinson Museum/Amherst College; Hadley Public Library, sponsored by Hadley Historical Society and Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum.

Please visit www.TheRedSkiesMusicEnsemble.com for more about previous and upcoming performances and work in development for performance in 2025.