Watch Night Play of Freedom's Eve Story

In conjunction with the Film Institute, former Dallas Cowboys player and movie producer Greg Ellis will present his play, “Watch Night Play: A Freedom’s Eve Story,” at 7 p.m. Feb.24 at the Forest Hill Civic & Convention Center.

The play unveils the origins of the Black church tradition of “watch night meetings” on New Years Eve. President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862 to go into effect on Jan. 1, 1863. On December 31, 1862 -- the eve of emancipation -- many slaves gathered before midnight and prayed that freedom really would come the next day.

Told through the eyes of a young slave girl, Baby Doll, producer Ellis said he had three main objectives in the storyline: 1) God ended slavery; 2) the origin and history of “Watch Night”; and 3) the residues of slavery.

“People will laugh and they will cry, but main purpose is to enlighten people,” Ellis said, who was the producer of the film, "Carter High" which had its Fort Worth premiere at the Film Institute.

General admission tickets are $10. There are special VIP tickets for $50 which includes a reception at 5:30 p.m.

For information contact Ellis at 1-800-985-9126 or email: gellis@playnowenterprise.com. You can purchase tickets at the Black Chamber office at 1150 South Freeway, Suite 211.