Humanity and history: a Q&A with "Nat Turner in Jerusalem" director Tyrone Phillips

Robert Chappell, Madison 365

Earlier this week, I sat down with Tyrone Phillips, director of Nat Turner in Jerusalem, to explore the profound themes and historical significance of the play currently showing at American Players Theatre (APT) in Spring Green. Phillips shared the powerful narrative behind Nathan Allen Davis’ work, which captures Nat Turner’s final hours before his execution. We discussed the challenges and complexities of Turner’s story, the importance of representation both on and off the stage, and the challenge of offering a fresh perspective on a figure who has been portrayed many times over the years. The conversation also highlights Phillips’ journey as an artist, his commitment to anti-racism, and the work of his multicultural theater company, Definition Theatre. This Q&A has been edited for length and clarity; you can hear the entire interview on today’s edition of our weekly podcast, 365 Amplified.

Robert Chappell: Let’s start with this show. Tell us about Nat Turner in Jerusalem and what it looks like at APT.

Tyrone Phillips: Nat Turner in Jerusalem is written by Nathan Allen Davis, and basically captures the life of Nat Turner in his final hours. It starts on his last night in a holding cell in Jerusalem, Virginia, and it follows leading up until his last morning here on Earth before he is put to death on the gallows. Not only do we meet Nat Turner, but we meet Thomas Gray, who is the lawyer who is responsible for writing his confession, which is why we even know about Nat Turner today. A lot of the source material is basically from the confessions of Nat Turner … this play is poetic, moving, has a lot to do about faith, about identity, about America’s foundation and the institution of slavery and the reckoning of that as well. This piece really just brings humanity to this man who a lot of people were torn about.

Full Interview & Podcast Available Here