TANGLED ROOTS
An Opera in One Act
Music composed and arranged by
Rufus Ferguson, Jordan Hamilton and Carmen Bell
Libretto composed and arranged by Carmen Bell
Tangled Roots is a one-act opera rooted in memory, ancestry, and the presence of those who came before us. Inspired by Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers’ Project, 1936–1938, the work draws from firsthand accounts of former slaves to illuminate stories that shaped generations.
Musically, the opera is grounded in African American spirituals and incorporates musical traditions that span the African American experience, reimagined through a contemporary lens. These sounds move fluidly across time, connecting past and present through a shared musical language.
Through a series of unfolding encounters, the opera gives voice to ancestors whose lives echo across time. Names become stories, and stories become presence, as the past emerges with urgency, intimacy, and power.
Each moment carries narratives of resilience, love, and hope, revealing the depth and complexity of African American experience. Tangled Roots invites audiences into a space where memory is not distant, but alive, where history speaks, and where legacy continues to shape identity in the present.
Synopsis
Set against the backdrop of Juneteenth, Tangled Roots follows Queenie and Caleb as they guide audiences through a tapestry of stories drawn from the testimonies of formerly enslaved people. As voices from the past emerge, including Mary Reynolds, John, William Colbert, Sarah Ashley, Arnold Gragston, Felix Haywood, Katie Rowe, and Marshall Butler, the audience encounters powerful accounts of family separation, survival, resistance, faith, and liberation.
Rather than telling a single narrative, the opera brings together many lived experiences, revealing the diverse realities of enslavement and freedom. Through music, spoken word, and historical testimony, these voices are transformed from archival records into living memories. As the stories unfold, past and present intersect, culminating in a communal celebration of freedom, remembrance, and hope. Tangled Roots invites audiences to reflect on the legacy of those who came before us and the continuing journey toward justice and equality.
Act I
Scene I . An Un-watered Seed
Scene II. Roots of Courage
Scene III. Leaves of Faith
Scene IV. Blossoms of Freedom
Scene V. Resolve
Upcoming Performance
Juneteenth | Friday, June 19, 2026
7:00 PM
Festival Playhouse,
1200 Academy Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
This performance is presented in collaboration with Arcus Center for Social Justice LeadershipFace Off Theatre Company, and the Authentic Opera Company.
