Once Upon a Hill in Maine: The Pedro Tovookan Parris Story
Award-winning and powerful storyteller Antonio Rocha brings his newest work, Once Upon a Hill in Maine: The Pedro Tovookan Parris Story, to audiences all over Maine this spring/fall? A story of resilience, Pedro Tovookan Parris was born in Eastern Africa, finding his way to Maine after being enslaved and transported Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on a ship captained by a Cyrus Libby of Scarborough, Maine.
Created and performed by Antonio Rocha, Once Upon a Hill in Maine vividly examines Maine’s connection to the slave trade through Pedro Tovookan Parris’s perspective. Using his entire body and voice, Antonio sings, dances, narrates, and mimes his way through this poetically toned historical tale. Each performance is followed by a moderated conversation with a facilitator, Antonio, and the audience.
PERFORMANCE SYNOPSIS
Pedro Tovookan Parris was born in eastern Africa. At about the age of 10, he was enslaved and transported to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on the Porpoise, a United States Brig built in Brunswick, Maine by Joseph Badger and captained by Cyrus Libby of Scarborough, even though it had long been illegal for United States citizens to engage in the trade of enslaved peoples. Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, Libby was arrested for violating slave trade laws. When asked where he wanted to go, Parris responded “I desire to be a freeman and go to the United States.” He was transported to Boston to testify in a federal trial against Libby. After Libby was acquitted, Pedro Tovookan Parris settled with the Parris family in Paris, Maine.
SHOW TIMES
Available to book for a performance in your school March 2 – June 1, 2026.
BOX OFFICE
Email offstage@portlandovations.org for information on scheduling and performance fee.
Requests must be made by April 20, 2026.
RUN TIME
60 minutes
ACCESSIBILITY
ASL interpretation available upon request.
LEARNING CONNECTIONS
EDUCATOR GUIDE
Coming soon! Click here to see examples of past Educator Guides.
WORKSHOPS
Pre and post-performance workshops are available. Please email offstage@portlandovations.org for more information.
- Social Studies: Maine history, Middle Passage
- Theatre: Mime and Pantomime
