The Escape; or, A Leap for Freedom is a play written by African American abolitionist William Wells Brown.
Williams Wells Brown would tour and give readings of his play at anti-Slavery rallies, lyceum lectures, and political events.
[1] In 1856, he read his unpublished play "Experience; or, How to Give the Northern Man a Backbone."
In fact, abolitionist William L. Garrison suggested in 1856 that Brown was so successful with public readings of his dramas that he had to give up his role with the American Anti-Slavery Society.
[2] While the The Escape; or, A Leap for Freedom was published in 1858, it was not officially produced until 1971 at Emerson College.
[3] In 2018, the Columbia School for the Arts performed a version of the play directed by Mark H.[4] It is one of the earliest extant pieces of African American dramatic literature.
Sampey, another mixed race character who is a slave to his father, informs Glen of what happened to Melinda.
The couple follow the North Star to Canada to escape for freedom.
Mr. White, a northern gentleman, saves the day by holding up the slave hunters while the ferry takes off.