"Appertaining to Rebels" - The Proclamation Play

November 14, 2025 • 7-8:30 p.m. • American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

The Death of Major Peirson, 6 January 1781 by John Singleton Copley. Historical painting, part of the Tate's collection and on loan to Jersey. Credit - The Yorck Project (2002). This image is in the Public Domain.

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What if you were faced with a dangerous and unprecedented path to freedom?

Lord Dunmore's Proclamation Join the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown for the premiere of "Appertaining to Rebels": The Proclamation Play, Friday, November 14, 7 - 8:30 p.m.

The Proclamation Play, written and directed by Abigail Schumann, presents a series of fictionalized first-person interactions exploring the decisions that led to Dunmore's Proclamation and the consequences in the wake of it.

In November of 1775, Virginia's last Royal Governor, Lord Dunmore, proclaimed that he would grant freedom to enslaved and indentured servants belonging to patriots, if they joined him to take up arms against the American rebels. Using personal stories based on historical sources, this hour-long play explores how Dunmore's Proclamation offered an unprecedented, and very dangerous, path to freedom.

Immerse yourself in this period of history and consider, "What would you have done?"

Continue the conversation after the play

Join us after the play for a 30-minute discussion of the historic events surrounding Dunmore's Proclamation and their legacies today. Abigail Schumann, playwright and director, and Harvey Bakari, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation curator of Black History and Culture, will lead the conversation.

Tickets for the premiere performance are $25.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Buy Tickets for The Proclamation Play

William & Mary students with ID and local residents who qualify for free museum admission can purchase a discounted ticket for $20 using code: REBELS at checkout. ID with proof of local zip code required at event check-in. See if you qualify.

Meet the Performers

Adam Canaday

Jim Gandolfo

A photo of Jim Gandolfo Jim Gandolfo is a nationally-awarded actor and director with over 200 titles to his credit. Jim began his career with First Amendment Improv in New York City before establishing the comedy troupe, In All Seriousness, that opened for Ellen DeGeneres, Lewis Black, Sinbad and others.

His favorite roles include Salieri in "Amadeus," McMurphy in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," Roy in "Lone Star," The Man in "The Turn of the Screw," The King of Siam in "The King and I" and Petruchio in "Kiss Me Kate."

Abigail Schumann (Writer/Director)

Abigail Schumann is the writer and director of "'Appertaining to Rebels': The Proclamation Play." She specializes in creating plays and programs in support of interpretation and special exhibitions at historic sites and museums. Her past plays for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation include "Slave Spy," "Mother Tongue," and "Season of the Witch."

She has also written plays for Preservation Virginia, Mystic Seaport Museum and numerous works for Colonial Williamsburg, including most recently "The Trial of a Patriot," and "The Actor’s Lament."

She is a recipient of the Women in American History Award presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Shalandis Wheeler Smith

A photo of Shalandis Wheeler Smith Shalandis Wheeler Smith is a native of Petersburg, Va. and currently resides in Richmond. She received her bachelor's degree in Theatre from Norfolk State University.

She is happy to be back working with the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, where she first played Angelo in "Mother Tongue." She has been seen locally in productions with Firehouse Theatre, Richmond Triangle Players, University of Richmond and Swift Creek Mill.

David Stallings

A photo of David Stallings David Stallings has appeared on stage in numerous local theater productions and is currently serving as the president of the Williamsburg Players community theater. Past credits include "Pride and Prejudice," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Les Miserables," "The 39 Steps," "City of Angels," "The Front Page," "Enchanted April," "Aida," "The Spitfire Grill," "Mack & Mabel," "First Date," and "A Christmas Carol."

David has also performed for Colonial Williamsburg in the show "Nimble Toes, Dancing Woes."

Willie Wright

A commemorative partner of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission, the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown tells the story of the nation’s founding. Comprehensive indoor exhibits and outdoor living-history areas capture the transformational nature and epic scale of the Revolution and its relevance today.

About the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days) and located on Route 1020 near the Colonial Parkway in Yorktown.

Admission tickets can be purchased online or in person. Plan your visit today or call (757) 253-4838 for more information. Parking at the museum is free for museum visitors. A free shuttle service is available to Historic Yorktown on the Yorktown Trolley.