Hamilton Actress to Star in Solo Play About Sally Hemings

Sandra Seaton's 'Sally: A Solo Play' makes world premiere at Wharton Center

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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After writing three bodies of work about Sally Hemings, a woman enslaved under President Thomas Jefferson, East Lansing playwright and librettist Sandra Seaton is bringing her story to the stage. 'Sally: A Solo Play' stars Sabrina Sloan, who toured as Angelica Schuyler in 'Hamilton', and is directed by Hannah Ryan, the former resident director of 'Hamilton' on Broadway. The one-woman drama is set at Monticello in the days leading up to Jefferson's death as Hemings worries about whether her children will be included in his will.

Why it matters

The story of Sally Hemings, who was widely recognized as the mother of several of Jefferson's children, offers a powerful perspective on the struggles and triumphs of enslaved people during the founding of the United States. As the country approaches its 250th anniversary, Seaton's play sheds light on this little-known but significant figure in American history.

The details

The play 'Sally' is set at Monticello, Jefferson's home, in the days before his death on July 4, 1826. Sloan portrays multiple characters, including Hemings, Jefferson, Hemings' mother Elizabeth, her brother James Hemings, and Jefferson's daughter Martha 'Patsy' Randolph. The play explores Hemings' emotional turmoil over the uncertainty of whether Jefferson will include her children in his will.

  • The world premiere of 'Sally: A Solo Play' will take place February 19-21, 2026 at the Wharton Center's Pasant Theatre.
  • Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, the setting for the events depicted in the play.

The players

Sandra Seaton

An East Lansing playwright and librettist who has written three previous works about Sally Hemings, including an operatic piece performed at the Library of Congress.

Sabrina Sloan

An actress who toured the country as Angelica Schuyler in the musical 'Hamilton' and will star as Sally Hemings in the solo play.

Hannah Ryan

The former resident director of 'Hamilton' on Broadway, who is directing 'Sally: A Solo Play'.

Sally Hemings

A woman who was enslaved under President Thomas Jefferson and is widely recognized as the mother of several of his children.

Thomas Jefferson

The third President of the United States, who owned the Monticello plantation where Sally Hemings was enslaved.

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What they’re saying

“When I read the piece, it's just so moving and so empowering, and there's so much to unpack. Each time I've done it, I've unpacked more and discovered more. We're constantly reshaping it, rewriting it, and asking questions. It's just an amazing, really nuanced piece that has so much depth and so many layers. I feel it's something I can do again and again and again and still find new things, so it's always exciting when you find a piece like that.”

— Sabrina Sloan, Actress (Lansing City Pulse)

“What 'Sally' does for me is offer an example of a woman in a very challenging situation who has found her power, found some agency, and found a way to create and carve out a future for her children. What's forefront on my mind is making sure my two children have the best future that they can have in a world that's uncertain right now. The themes of freedom, of choice, of family — there's so much that's relevant to our lives.”

— Sabrina Sloan, Actress (Lansing City Pulse)

“Sandra's the best! Truly one of my favorite experiences is working with her and Hannah. When you have a solo piece, you have the opportunity to dig into the writing and the vision. She's a historian in in her own right — she's done so much research about Sally, Jefferson, and that period. She's a poetic, beautiful writer and a joy to be around.”

— Sabrina Sloan, Actress (Lansing City Pulse)

What’s next

The world premiere of 'Sally: A Solo Play' will take place February 19-21, 2026 at the Wharton Center's Pasant Theatre in East Lansing, Michigan.

The takeaway

Sandra Seaton's 'Sally: A Solo Play' brings the little-known but significant story of Sally Hemings to the stage, offering a powerful perspective on the struggles and triumphs of enslaved people during the founding of the United States. The play's debut at the Wharton Center provides an opportunity for the East Lansing community to engage with this important chapter of American history.