Photo Flash: First Look at MET's FINALLY HEARD: FEMININE HEROES OF AN UNCIVIL WAR

Such was the case with Jennie Hodgers who served as a soldier in the war disguised as a man under the name Albert Cashier, just one of the remarkable stories that Finally Heard sheds a light on. The creation of the piece was quite unique and born out of the ensemble spirit of the new theater troupe.

The authors of the piece are the original cast of actresses Angela D'Ambrosia, Sophie Arrick, Meg Coyle-Stanford, Gené Fouché, Rona Mensah and Wanda Schell. MET company member Rona Mensah played the role of Sylvia Dubois (the slave who wins her own freedom) in the shows' 1997 and 1998 productions and she is the only original cast member returning to her role fifteen years later.

The director of the new production of Finally Heard had actually attended both the 1997 and 1998 mountings. Suzanne Beal who received her Ph.D. in English from the University of MD, with a specialty in modern American drama and is currently a professor of English at FCC and teaches theater history at Hood College, is no stranger to bringing women's stories to the stage. In addition to her numerous directing credits, she authored the play I Am (NOT) My Mother, based on story circles she conducted with local women of diverse ages, backgrounds and ethnicities. The play premiered at MET last summer.

The talented cast includes Rona Mensah returning to her role as Slyvia and Amber Fullmer will play the soldier Jenny Hodgers. Laura Stark will portray a Richmond woman named Elizabeth Van Lew whose diary informed the script not only about her own story but that of her former slave who was a Union spy and who is being played by the actress Lynnette Franklin. MET company member Devin Gaither will play Euphemia Goldsborough, a role originally played by co-author Gene 'Fouche'. Lia Seltzer will portray Mary Tepe or "French Mary", as she was known to many as at the battles of Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. Meisha Krutar is understudying the roles of Mary Tepe and Jenny Hodgers. The production will be fully realized with the assistance of the production designs of Tad Janes (Sound and Image), Doug Grove (Set), Allison Duvall (Costumes), Carl Jouannet (Lighting) and Lorrie Lee (Props).

The show will run from April 4 - 28 every Thursday through Sunday at the MET, located at 31 W Patrick Street. The first Thursday performance will be a $5 preview night (cash only at door) and the first Sunday performance will be a gala night with a reception preceding the performance sponsored by Isabella's and hosted by MET Board chairs Kathy Young and Dan Kuebbing. Tickets are $15 (Thursdays) through $24 and can be purchased at 301.694.4744, marylandensemble.org or in person at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre box office.

Now in it's fifteenth season the Maryland Ensemble Theatre produces thought-provoking theatre, fun family entertainment, side-splitting comedy shows, artist residency programs for public schools, theatre camps, and challenging classes.

Photo Credit: Joe Williams

Amber Fullmer

Devin Gaither

Laura Stark

Lia Seltzer

Lia Seltzer

Lynette Franklin