1968. It was a turbulent time in American and especially in Memphis, TN. Memphis is known as the mid south and sits on the east bank of the Mississippi. In Tears of the Soul we will meet a family living through the unrest of the time. The nation was at the height of the highly protested Vietnam war which was returning black soldiers to their hometowns maimed, in boxes or in many cases not at all. Black empowerment was on the rise with militant groups struggling to use their power to create their own destinies. Even after the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a caste system still existed, especially in the south. Racism and violence were rampant in the growing urban ghettos and Martin Luther King, the prominent leader of the Civil Rights movement and non-violent protest met his demise on a Memphis balcony. Tears of the Soul is a portrayal of a family divided. The social climate in 1968 made life difficult outside and inside of the home. Family members with divergent viewpoints make it impossible to communicate. That was until one fateful day when tragedy collided with ideologies and each family member was forced to reevaluate their perspectives. Only by coming together was this family able to identify the true threat and free their souls from misconceptions, hatred and fear.

The AngelWing Project is a theater in residence at the Chesapeake Arts Center.