The Stanly County Historical Society, in partnership with the Stanly County Arts Council and the America 250 Stanly County Committee, proudly presents a powerful evening of theatre and history. An Evening with Mike Wiley features his acclaimed one-man performance, One Noble Journey: The Box Marked Freedom.
Join us on Thursday, September 25 at 7:00 PM at The Albemarle Neighborhood Theatre, 219 N. Third Street, Downtown Albemarle for a compelling portrayal of courage, resilience, and the enduring pursuit of freedom.
Nationally acclaimed actor and playwright Mike Wiley brings to life the extraordinary true story of Henry "Box" Brown, an enslaved man who escaped to freedom in 1849 by mailing himself in a wooden crate from Richmond, Virginia, to Philadelphia. Through gripping storytelling and dramatic performance, Wiley immerses the audience in Brown’s harrowing journey—shedding light on the horrors of slavery and the strength of the human spirit.
This one-man show is more than just theatre—it’s an opportunity to reflect on our shared history as we approach the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Mike Wiley holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has served as the Lehman Brady Visiting Joint Chair Professor in Documentary Studies and American Studies at both Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill. He was awarded the UNC Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017.
In 2020, Wiley received the Ann Atwater Award from the Manbites Dog Theater Fund, honoring his commitment to social justice through the arts. His accolades also include the NC Theatre Conference Constance Welsh Award for Theatre for Youth, and his plays have been featured at arts industry conferences across North America.
In addition to his theatrical work, Wiley is an Assistant Research Professor in the Kenan Institute for Ethics and the Program in Education at Duke University. He also co-directs America’s Hallowed Ground, a Kenan Institute project that blends historical research with the arts to honor underrecognized sites of racial and historical significance in the U.S.
Admission is free, and all community members are encouraged to attend. Seating is first-come, first-served. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening celebrating African American history, personal bravery, and the enduring legacy of freedom.