On May 19, 1902, the Dumas Dramatic Club in Washington, D. C., staged a production of the play Dessalines by William Edgar Easton, an African American writer, educator and politician.
The Dumas Dramatic Club, composed of teachers and students from the different colored schools of Washington, presented a four-act military drama entitled "Dessalines," a graphic story of Cuba's freedom, at the Grand Army of the Republic Hall last night. This was the first work presented by the club. A large audience witnessed the performance.
"Stirring Cuban Drama." The Washington Post (Washington, D. C.). May 20, 1902. Page 3.
W. Edgar Easton's military drama, "Dessalines," was given an excellent interpretation Monday evening at Grand Army Hall by the Dumas Dramatic Club.
"Dessalines." The Colored American (Washington, D. C.). May 24, 1902. Page 9.
Alice Moore Dunbar attended the play, but without her husband Paul Laurence Dunbar since the couple had separated permanently in January 1902. Alice was still in contact with Paul's mother Matilda and described the play to her.
Monday night the Dumas Dramatic Club here gave a production of "Dessalines." You remember old Easton whom you loved so? It is his play, and it is a fine thing. Well, the Dramatic Club put it on Monday night. I was supposed to be one of the patronesses, and had seats in the front row, but ye gods and little fishes, the play was not over until twelve o'clock, though they certainly did well.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Matilda Dunbar, May 24, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
Paul had been acquainted with the playwright Easton for many years. Dessalines is a historical drama about the struggle for independence by Blacks in Haiti. It was first performed in Chicago in 1893 during the World's Columbian Exposition, where Paul was employed at the Haitian Pavilion. The actors in Dessalines are Black, and Easton hoped to present a production of the play in which Paul performed the title role.
A play in which there is a good deal of merit entitled "Dessalines," written by a colored man named William Edgar Easton, is being acted at Freiberg's opera house by a company of clever young colored people, and a large audience found them well deserving of applause. "Dessalines" will be played tonight and tomorrow night.
"Amusements." The Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago, Illinois). August 30, 1893. Page 6.
The author of this work hopes to see a happier era inaugurated by the constant production of legitimate drama, written exclusively for Negro players and meeting, he hopes, with the full endorsement of the brother in white.
Dessalines, a Dramatic Tale: A Single Chapter from Haiti's History, by William Edgar Easton. J. W. Burson Company (Galveston, Texas). 1893. Page vii.
I have not cut Dessalines at all, so to speak. The minor characters are the parties who have suffered by my injudicious knife. The changes I have made do not, at all, affect your role -- only to make the situations more dramatic. You have no idea how well pleased I am to know you will act the part of Dessalines. I have listened entranced to your reading of your own lines. Dessalines is in good hands. The true source of eloquence is feeling. With your natural ability and training, Dessalines must be a success.
William Edgar Easton to Paul Laurence Dunbar, May 12, 1894. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
A few years later, Easton visited Washington and stayed with Paul and Matilda.
Mr. W. E. Easton, secretary of the Republican State Executive Committee of Texas, and the author of Dessalines, also one of the best known dramatic writers in the country, is in the city the guest of Mr. Paul Laurence Dunbar.
"The Week in Society." The Washington Bee (Washington, D. C.). April 2, 1898. Page 5.
When Alice attended Dessalines in Washington, top billing went to Nathaniel Guy, who later became director of the Dramatic Club at Howard University. Paul was not involved in the production since he and Matilda were living in Chicago.