We're Meeting the Moment!
History UnErased, Inc. is proud to partner with Houses on the Moon Theater Company and bring to life powerful, untold stories that have been missing in our U.S. history education — to inspire, educate, and entertain!
New, Original, Primary Source-Based Musical!
"The Past Is Always Present" is a multi-year initiative that brings LGBTQ history to life through a new, original, primary source-based musical, open-access multimedia teaching materials, and community engagement, revealing stories that are a vital part of United States history.
The centerpiece of this initiative is providing residencies and workshops for youth to learn while contributing to the creative development of the musical.
Youth from California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, and more across the country are putting their fingerprints on every aspect of the musical and ensuring the historical figures and questions about the past resonate with youth in today's world. Meet the youth contributors here.
"I want to know how learning about LGBTQ history changes mindsets about the world." — Casandra
One of the young artists in our New York workshop, Imani Amira Miles, found the heart of our protagonist’s song! Amira sent us an audio audition file, creating the music for a lyric prompt included in the application form. She recorded this while on the subway. Have a listen!
Building a Nation (2018) by Angela Alés
"The Past Is Always Present" is anchored in the philosophy of Indigenous Seven Generations Teaching, which holds that our choices and how we interact with our environment and community influence seven generations ahead. It also means we are carrying the influence of seven generations before us.
"I think Two Spirits in Indigenous communities and the way they are revered and normalized is an inspiration to our culture and experience today." — Parker
News & UpDates!
YOUR HANDS ARE THE ROAD: A Ride Upon the Stage through Queer American History received an enthusiastic reception at its world premiere staged reading in Lowell, MA in May!
"PHENOMENAL - I absolutely loved this!"
Scan or click the QR code to access the digital playbill.
Jalen Bunch
Seven Generations Time Capsule
Geminai LLC is supporting and amplifying the musical’s impact beyond the stage with our Seven Generations Time Capsule. Following the Lowell, MA performances, Geminai captured reflections from cast members, History UnErased staff, the composer and playwright, and, most importantly, audience members who had just experienced the work. This immersive storytelling experience will become a part of a powerful and enduring record of how the production resonates emotionally, educationally, and civically.
Looking Ahead
As we bring "The Past Is Always Present" to youth in new regions of the country, we will weave their state and local history into the programming, as well as continuing to share primary sources from the Library of Congress and History UnErased's open-access multimedia teaching materials.
"I am hungry to learn this history. I want to see and know for a fact that we existed back then, even if people are trying to deny it."— Jade
"The Past Is Always Present" was launched with funding from the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Program, and with the support of dozens of partners (listed below), we are circumventing the challenges of today and reaching students, schools, and communities nationwide with history that is alive, inspiring, and urgent!
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOLS
National Council for the Social Studies
William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
New-York Historical Society
Out Youth Texas
Colorado LGBTQ History Project
Invisible Histories Project
International Schools
Scholarly Editing
Equality Pennsylvania
Maryland Center for History and Culture
Teach Plus
Tranz Central Coast
Greater Lowell LGBTQ+ Fund
University of Texas Austin
American University
Waynesburg University
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Fordham University
Sonoma State University
Central Connecticut State University
Middlesex Community College
University of Michigan
Augusta University
University of Southern Maine
University of California Los Angeles
New York City Public Schools
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Astrea Foundation
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
Highline Heritage Museum
Stonewall Columbus
Kaleidoscope Youth Center Ohio
Outwords Archive
Queer Humboldt
New York Public Library
National Queer Theater
Rainbow Routes Study Abroad
New England Biolabs
Geminai LLC
Join us in rescripting scenes from America's story!
You can make a gift to help us expand this project to more regions of the country by clicking the donate button below.
CONTACT US to bring "The Past Is Always Present" to your community or to become a distribution partner.
MEET THE TEAM
Jeffrey Solomon
Playwright
Raliegh Neal II
Composer
Emily Joy Weiner
Artistic Director
Cheyenne Fox Tree
Indigenous Consultant
Jocardo Ralston
Artist & Educator
Kathleen Barker
Program Director
Dinah Mack
Content Developer
J. Eric Fisher
Artist & Educator
Jayson Caluag
Graphic Designer
Mor Erlich
Video & Animation
Robb Leigh Davis
Artist & Educator
Deb Fowler
Project Manager