"To succeed in life you need three things-
a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone."
-Reba McEntire
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Toni Stone
An original play by Lydia R. Diamond
Directed by Dr. Corlis Hayes
August 19-21, 25-27 and September 1-3
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 21 at 2 p.m.
Performances will be held at the Arts Factory at West End Studios
Single Tickets and Flex Passes Available Now!
Advance Purchase Online: $25 inclusive of all taxes and fees
Night of Show at the Door: $30 inclusive of all taxes and fees
Students and Educators at the Door: $10 inclusive of all taxes and fees
Discounted pricing available for groups of 10 or more, contact us at info@threebonetheatre.com to learn more
This show contains adult language and themes, including trauma to women and Black people, recommended for ages 16+
A vibrant new play about staying in the game, playing hard, playing smart and playing your own way
Declared the Best New Play of 2019 by The Wall Street Journal, this sensational theatrical event knocks it out of the park with this incredible true story.
History is filled with trailblazers and Toni Stone was one of them. Considered a pioneer, Toni Stone is the first woman to play baseball in the Negro Leagues, also making her the first woman to play professionally in a men’s league in the 1950s. Against all odds, Stone shattered expectations and created her own set of rules in the male-dominated sports world.
Based on Martha Ackmann’s book Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone, award-winning playwright Lydia R. Diamond tells the dynamic story of Stone’s journey of perseverance and resilience just to do what she loved the most — play baseball.
This show contains adult language and themes, including trauma to women and Black people, recommended for ages 16+
What People Are Saying
Theatre Mania
"A compelling, must-see play..., 'Toni Stone' gives long overdue credit to a woman who had to fight as hard as or harder than any man in her sport just to play the game she loved."
New York Times
*Critic's Pick*
"Toni Stone is at its considerable best whenever, like its main character, it's at its most unconventional"
Washington Post
“By swapping the typical nonfiction formula for an anecdotal and abstract slice-of-life portrait, ‘Toni Stone’ takes some big swings — and connects...”
Dr. Corlis Hayes
Director
Corlis Hayes is thrilled to return to Three Bone Theatre in which she had the pleasure of directing King Liz 2018. Corlis is an instructor in the Division of Arts and Communication at Central Piedmont Community College. She has Chaired Morgan State University and Livingstone College theatre departments as well as headed Johnson C. Smith University Drama Program. Some of her directing credit includes: A Soldier’s Play, Fences, The Miracle Worker, The Wiz, The Piano Lesson, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide /When The Rainbow is Enuf, Twilight , Los Angeles 1992, The Colored Museum and Topdog / Underdog. Most recently she directed Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom for BNS Productions. She has been recognized for her work by the receiving Best Drama Creative Loafing 2014 for Sizwe Bansi Is Dead (CAST). Jitney (BNS Productions) for Best Drama Creative Loafing 2017. Best Play and Director for Fences (BNS Productions) Broadway World 2020 and The Metrolina Theatre Association (MTA) Best Play, and Director 2019 for Two Trains Running (BNS Productions). Her other honors include: an appointment as one of guest speakers by The Charlotte Postmaster for The August Wilson Virtual Stamp Dedication “August Wilson Black Heritage Stamp”, The Fred L. Dowell Award for Outstanding Scholars in Theater and The Distinguish Alumni Award for The College of Liberal Arts –Southern Illinois University. Currently, Corlis is on The Board of Directors of Theatre Charlotte, where she serves as Chair of The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. Finally, Corlis is a faculty member of a nonprofit called The Theatre Gap that helps students use a gap year to prepare for auditions to get into BFA programs, under the leadership of Corey Mitchell.
Lydia R. Diamond
Playwright
Lydia R. Diamond's award-winning plays include: Smart People, Stick Fly, Voyeurs de Venus, The Bluest Eye, The Gift Horse, Harriet Jacobs, The Inside and Stage Black. Theatres include: Arena Stage, Cort Theatre (Broadway), Chicago Dramatists, Company One, Congo Square, Goodman, Hartford Stage, Huntington, Jubilee, Kansas City Rep, Long Wharf, Lorraine Hansberry, McCarter, Mo’Olelo, MPAACT, New Vic, Playmakers Rep, Plowshares, Second Stage, Steppenwolf, and TrueColors. Commissions include: Arena Stage, Steppenwolf (4), McCarter, Huntington, Center Stage, Victory Gardens and The Roundabout.
A recipient of many playwriting awards, Lydia was also an ’05/’06 W.E.B. Du Bois Institute non-resident Fellow, a 2007 TCG/NEA Playwright in Residence at Steppenwolf, an 06/07 Huntington Playwright Fellow and a 2012 Sundance Institute Playwright Lab Creative Advisor. She is a Board Member at Chicago Dramatists and a 2012/2013 Radcliffe Institute Fellow.
Lydia is an NU graduate (’91), has an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Pine Manor College and is 2013-14 Playwright in Residence at Arena Stage.
Learn More
Community Partner
Girl Scouts Hornets' Nest Council
Girl Scouts Hornets' Nest Council has one focus. Girls. Our mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. We received our charter in 1939 and are now amongst the oldest and largest girl organizations in the Carolinas.
