Ephraim Slaughter: Freedom’s Witness

Produced February 2026 by Gamut Theater, Sankofa African Theater Company, and the National Civil War Museum. Harrisburg, PA

Written by Teresa Miller Directed by Sharia Benn Scenic Design by Calian Byard Costume Design by Callie Lythgoe Lighting Design by Tristan Stasiulis Assistant Costume Designer Ava Straub

This stirring new work was commissioned to tell the life story of Ephraim Slaughter, the last surviving Civil War veteran in Harrisburg. Ephraim escaped slavery to join the United States Colored Troops. After the war, he moved to Harrisburg PA where he built a life and a community. Telling Ephraim’s story is part of the Voices of the Eighth Ward project, which chronicles the lives of the residents of Harrisburg’s eighth ward neighborhood that was demolished to build the state capitol. Ephraim’s descendants were an instrumental part of creating this script and were in attendance for the opening performance.

“When he tells his life story, all comfort falls away. Slaughter escapes a plantation in North Carolina to enlist in the United States Colored Troops. He fought for our country’s freedom while finding his personal freedom. Then he changed into a bellhop uniform to fold napkins, meeting his wife in a hotel kitchen. Moving Slaughter’s life story through time and eventually to Harrisburg, McGhee deftly shifts his character’s age and various roles through simple costume changes (Costume Designer, Callie Lythgoe). McGhee, who shaved his head to embody the main character, creates an incredibly convincing Ephraim Slaughter.” -Gina Napoli, The Burg News

The costumes (by Callie Lythgoe) are versatile and well-suited to the characters and the story. -Andrea Stephenson, BroadwayWorld