HI-HAT HATTIE

A solo musical tour-de-force starring RTCC Best Actress winner Dorothy “Dee D.” Miller, Hi-Hat Hattie takes place backstage of an old theater where Hattie McDaniel recalls the incredible events of her storied show business life. An important figure in America’s entertainment and race relations, McDaniel broke down Hollywood barriers, including being the first African American woman to sing on radio and the first African American actor to win an Academy Award for her role as Mammy in “Gone with the Wind.” Daughter of former slaves, McDaniel battled segregation and racism growing up in the Jim Crow-era. However, she was routinely criticized by many, including the NAACP, for playing subservient roles and blacklisted by studios. The controversy surrounding her career is an important reminder that these issues are never simple. Featuring jazz and blues classics like “St. Louis Blues,” “Danny Boy,” “Can’t Help Lovin Dat Man,” “Amazing Grace” and more!​​​​​​​