WEST CHESTER, PA — A powerful, true story rooted in Chester County history will return to the stage next month as West Chester Dance Works revives a full-length multimedia dance production that blends movement, history, and community into a singular theatrical experience.
West Chester Dance Works announced the return of Rachel Harris: One Woman Over the Line, a danced historical narrative centered on the true story of a runaway enslaved woman and her search for freedom and dignity in Chester County. The production will be presented February 6 and February 8 at the Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center in West Chester.
Originally premiered in 2008, the work draws from the writings of Chester County physician and abolitionist Robert C. Smedley and other period journalists. Through contemporary and African-influenced dance, projected historical imagery, narration, percussion, and live and recorded music, the production traces one woman’s perilous journey while highlighting the role local residents played in aiding freedom seekers during the era of slavery.
The revival comes as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, with West Chester Dance Works partnering with the Chester County America250 PA Commission to present the story as both a historical reflection and a call for unity through truth-telling art.
The production has previously drawn critical praise for its emotional impact and historical rigor. A 2025 review in Broad Street Review described the work as “a unique work of dance theater with powerful themes relating to the past and the present,” while Mary Dugan of the Kennett Underground Railroad Center praised its commitment to historical accuracy, calling it “a dramatic, thrilling story needing no embellishment.”
Founded more than four decades ago, West Chester Dance Works is a nonprofit arts organization serving the greater West Chester area through dance education, community outreach, and performance. The organization offers instruction and performance opportunities for dancers of all ages and experience levels, with a long-standing focus on accessibility, inclusion, and community-centered storytelling.
Rachel Harris: One Woman Over the Line will be performed Friday, February 6, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 8, at 2:30 p.m. Additional information about the production and the organization is available at www.westchesterdanceworks.org.
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