Designed by
Boritt, Beowulf, American
Richardson Jackson, LaTanya, American, born 1949
Subject of
Wilson, August, American, 1945 - 2005
Jackson, Samuel L., American, born 1948
Brooks, Danielle, American, born 1989
Washington, John David, American, born 1984
Fisher, Ray, American, born 1987
Byers, Trai, American, born 1983
Potts, Michael, American
Daniel, Nadia
Swan, Jurnee
Matthis, April
Ethel Barrymore Theatre, American, founded 1928
Produced by
88 Notes LLC, American, founded 2022
Manufactured by
Clavia Digital Musical Instruments, Swedish, founded 1983
Date
2022
Medium
plastic polymer resin, wood and metal
Dimensions
H x W x D: 58 × 58 1/2 × 30 1/4 in. (147.3 × 148.6 × 76.8 cm)
Description
The prop piano from the 2022 Broadway revival of August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson." Prop is in the style of an upright piano and features relief panels depicting faces and figures of the Charles family's ancestors on the upper front board, upper front board side strips, lower front board, legs, and left side board. The figures are in the style of the ujamaa, Dimoongo, or "Tree of Life" tradition of the Makonde people, and they are shown variously "jumping the broom," embracing children, supporting each other, held in bondage, and being crushed underneath a wooden casket. The figures are 3D printed out of plastic polymer resin and painted to appear like ebony.
The prop houses a Nord Piano 5 keyboard with keys stained to appear like aged ivory. The keyboard sits in a tray in the prop piano.
Place used
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Musical Instruments
Props and Set Design
Type
keyboard instruments
upright pianos
props (object genres)
Topic
Broadway Theatre
Design
Families
Literature
Motherhood
Slavery
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Director & Producers: LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Brian Anthony Moreland, Kandi Burruss, Todd Tucker, and Tom Kirdahy
Object number
2023.23ab
Restrictions & Rights
Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd520f58397-484d-4b9d-a5af-509de6238f7b

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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