The remarkable story of Wayne Miner, the last American soldier killed in World War I, will come alive on stage this November as the Black Archives of Mid-America presents “The Buffalo Hero of WWI: The Wayne Miner Story” at the historic Gem Theater.
The production returns to chronicle the journey of a young Black man from Kansas City who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, even while facing discrimination both at home and in a segregated military.
“A lot of people around Kansas City don’t have any idea of who Wayne Miner was [outside of the Wayne Miner housing projects],” says Black Archives of Mid-America Board Member Mark Anthony Davis. “That’s the power of this play; it keeps Miner’s story from being lost to time.”
The play follows Miner’s path from KC to the battlefields of Europe, where he served among the thousands of African-American soldiers who fought valiantly despite systemic oppression. The production explores Miner’s relationship with his mother, whose spirit guides him through his military service and culminates in his final act of courage that made him the last American casualty of the Great War.
Award-winning playwright Kenthedo Robinson wrote and directed “The Buffalo Hero of WWI: The Wayne Miner Story.” Robinson, a Park University graduate and recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for his historical research on Miner‘s story, brings more than two decades of theatrical experience to this production.
The production comes straight from the theaters of New York and features Alton Ray reprising his role as Private Wayne Miner. Ray is supported by a talented full cast including: James Oliver as Franklin B. Seymoure, Sharell Williams as Anjelica, Nicholas Dodge as Cpt. Kenneth Quincy Blu, Shatique Brown as Pvt. Rafius Rucker, Christopher W. Clayton as Lt. Henry Nugent Ivan Clark, and Zsay Moore & Ms. D who share the role of Mamma Miner.
The Buffalo Hero of WWI: The Wayne Miner Story
The Gem Theater
1615 E. 18th Street, KCMO
Nov. 8 at 11 a.m.Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.
Free Admission
Possible encore of the great play Wayne Miner story at the Art Asylum one day