Big Quarterly

Big Quarterly, a historical hip-hop gospel musical, spotlights the legacy of Peter
Spencer – a formerly enslaved man turned pastor who founded the nation’s first wholly
independent Black church and sparked the Big Quarterly–a joyful reunion for freedom
in Delaware. For those not yet free, Big Quarterly was a chance to secure passage on
the Underground Railroad. When the first Big Quarterly in 1813 ends in a surprise raid
facilitated by his own brother, Peter must face the pains of his tragic past. Peter’s
journey from bondage to leadership amidst his own family tragedy showcases his
indomitable spirit; a man who refused to let his beginnings define his destiny.

June 2024
A live showcase of the work at BerkleeNYC was held at the Power Station in NYC on June 10, 2024, with Direction by Lee Summers, Musical Direction by Jacinth Greywoode, and Advisement by Dahlak Brathwaite. View at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x79Brp-T48w

April 2025
Big Quarterly was featured in the New York Theater Barn’s Spring 2025 Choreography Lab on April 6, 2025, with Choreography by Jōvan Dansberry and Direction by Lee Summers. The lab pairs choreographers and writers in the early incubation stage of development to explore how movement supports the storytelling. View at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu6aRj6gREo

Big Quarterly writing team will be in residence August 2025 at Drama Club Camp, an invite-only musical theater writing residency in Mount Vernon, Maine hosted by Drama Club Productions