Susheel Bibbs presents
THE HYERS SISTERS
Pictured left: Emma and Anna Hyers
The Hyers Sisters' Dream & Legacy
THE TRAILER
featuring Hope Briggs as Emma Hyers and Shawnette Sulker and Anna Hyers
In the perilous 1870’s and 80’s, when night riders and lynching terrorized black people and blackface minstrels ridiculed them across the land, The Hyers Sisters (popular, black, touring-opera prodigies) stood up to become Voices for Freedom. They fought the minstrels’ ridicule with charming works that revealed the depth and dignity of African Americans. These became the first American musicals and the first works to use integrated casting in American Music theater. Yet their accomplishments have been unsung --Until now!
(Learn more about the film --Click here.)
The Cast
HOST
Denyce Graves-International Opera Star
Internationally acclaimed sopranos Hope Briggs and Shawnette Sulker, mezzo soprano/host Denyce Graves and mezzo soprano K.S. Tichina Vaughn, hip-hop poet WolfHawkJaguar, filmmaker/performer Susheel Bibbs, baritones Omari Tau and Robert Sims, tenor-pianist Othello Jefferson, pianist Jacqueline Hairston, master drummer Pope Flyne, and other artists with expert commentators: Susan Anderson, Rick Moss, Thomas Riis, Halifu Osumare and Robert Sims.
Meet Producer-Director-Writer & Performer
Susheel Bibbs
Independent filmmaker Susheel Bibbs has served the Arts and Humanities for over 30 years. An acclaimed classical singer and actress, national Emmy winner, and once the youngest Executive Producer in the PBS system for a major international series, Bibbs has, since 2007, secured 18 international, independent-film awards (including three for excellence in directing) and two international Telly Awards – To date she has won 25 media/film awards. Two of her award-winning documentaries – Meet Mary Pleasant, which screened at The Cannes Film Festival, and Voices for Freedom - The Hyers Sisters Legacy (27 min) — are now on PBS nationally. The 30 min. version of that Hyers film and this new film –The Hyers Sisters Dream and Legacy can be bought on DVD from the MORE button at left. But, the new film, which won in the American Filmatic Arts Award and The Hollywood Olympus Festival, is available here -- from the purchase link above .
NEWS & NOTES
-
Voices for Freedom -- The Hyers Sisters' Legacy on PBS Stations & Passport
VOICES FOR FREEDOM (the 27 min. film) continues on PBS for the next 5 years. It is not sold,
but please ask for broadcasts on your local station.
-
Bibbs' Hyers Booklet is now on Amazon: This companion booklet to The Hyers Sisters' Films is now available. Order it by clicking HERE (fast delivery).
Contact Us
Please fill out and submit the form below to contact with any questions or comments!