America Is Changing
Ammi Phillips Must Change With Her
Set in 1848, Seven Cousins for a Horse finds Ammi Phillips, the most prolific folk artist in American history, at a low point. He has suffered a personal tragedy, his once-thriving career is fading, and even his beloved horse is on her last legs. His cousins invite him back to his hometown of Colebrook, CT, offering a sturdy horse in exchange for seven portraits of the family. But, just like America, change is afoot with his relatives. Abolition. Universal Suffrage. The future is on the line. As Ammi captures their likenesses, can he paint a new path for himself?
Appropriate for ages 12 and up.
Playwright Tammy Ryan
Tammy Ryan’s wide-ranging work has been commissioned, developed, and performed at regional theaters across the United States, including Alliance Theatre, City Theatre, Florida Stage, Marin Theatre Company, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Portland Stage, People’s Light and Theatre Company, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh Playhouse, and many others. Internationally, her work has been seen in Australia, Canada, India, Japan, and Turkey.
Tammy has been supported by the National New Play Network, The New Harmony Project, Virginia… Read more
Praise for Tammy Ryan
“The audience was rapt — the play is packed with raw expressions of grief as well as moments of fine-tuned levity, making for an entirely engaging experience.”
“Tammy Ryan’s dialogue is rapid fire and she seems to have tapped into the ghosts of family arguments everywhere. This is a big, thick slice of life.”
“This finely crafted family drama is laced with just the right amount of humor. It is a thought-provoking piece of theatre.”
The Surviving Kinney Portraits
Featured Portraits
About Ammi Phillips
Born in Colebrook, CT in 1788, Ammi Phillips traveled throughout the Northeastern United States, painting portraits of everyday people, including farmers, businessmen, and their families. His works often featured bold and simple shapes, bright colors, and expressive faces, and they are recognized for their unique blend of realism and folk art stylization.
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Development support provided by
The Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust
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