Here’s something you might not have known: the “Tuskegee Airmen” weren’t technically created until after WWII!

Eight members of the East Coast Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen attended the Opening Night performance of Fly on Sept. 26. The airmen also attended a pre-performance reception at the Center for Education and Leadership where an exhibition titled The Test about the airmen and their aircraft is on display until Oct. 21.  All photos by Gary Erskine.

The centerpiece of this year’s programming for The Lincoln Legacy Project, Fly is based on the experiences of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. The play follows four courageous heroes hailing from Chicago, Harlem, rural Iowa and the Caribbean as they train to fly combat aircraft. Photographer Scott Suchman captures moments from the stage production, now playing through Oct. 21 at Ford's.

October 1862 brought more heated battles in the west. While these battles raged, Confederate President Jefferson Davis shifted his attention to the fortification of Richmond. On October 10, 1862, Davis requested a draft of 4,500 African Americans to aid in building the bastions. While this request was not unique, the integral role blacks played in aiding the confederates during the Civil War is often overlooked by history. 

Second featured production for
The Lincoln Legacy Project:
Multi-year effort to create dialogue around the issues of tolerance, equality and acceptance

Behind-the-scenes photos from the first rehearsal for Fly, playing September 21-October 21, 2012!

Hear from Ford's Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault on our production of Fly!

Set design by Tony Cesik.