James Mars was born into slavery in 1790, in Canaan, Connecticut. His family escaped from their masters in Canaan and hid for months in the woods and in the homes of Norfolk, Connecticut residents. When he was an adolescent, Mars defied another master and insisted on equality with whites. In later life, he was active in the northern abolitionist movement.
The Life of James Mars is a compelling and important story of one of Connecticut's African American heroes and is part of the rich history of our state. James Mars' life is inspirational, and his voice is one that should be heard by all.
Puppetsweat Theater's multi-media presentation of the first half of James Mars' story premiered on March 19, 2002 at Quinnipiac University in Hamden Connecticut, and was presented at the Russell Library in Middletown, Connecticut on April 10. It has since played through-out New England inluding at the Pontine Movement Theater in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The Life of James Mars has featured: Melissa Sylvester, Gregoire Mouning, Agnieszka Czopik, Linda Wingerter, Keely Knudsen, and Margaret Carl. It is designed by Leslie Weinberg and directed by Robert Bresnick. It was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts.
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 Der
Signàl |
Syneocism |
Three
Tales by Poe |
Appetite |
| Buttons and Bows |
For the Sexes |
Pine Eyes |
Master Peter |
