'Sally & Tom' Frees Sally Hemings From Being a Mere Footnote

"Sally & Tom," a play by Suzan Lori-Parks, explores the complex relationship between Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson. Aiming to present Hemings as a multidimensional character, the play uses a unique format—a play within a play, where character Luce, an African American dramatist, portrays Hemings. This approach allows for a deeper exploration of Hemings's personhood, despite the historical gaps in her life story. The play has been successful at the Public Theater and continues to run.