The Reclamation of Madison Hemings

Charles Smith’s historical drama The Reclamation of Madison Hemings explores the complicated legacy of Thomas Jefferson through the eyes of his enslaved son. Staged by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, the narrative centers on Madison Hemings and his friend Israel Jefferson as they return to a decaying Monticello to search for Madison’s enslaved brother, Eston. The two men possess vastly different interpretations of their past, forcing a tense debate over whether to preserve or dismantle the mythology surrounding the Founding Fathers. The production relies on tight, dialogue-heavy scenes to unpack the psychological toll of enslavement and the enduring weight of American historical erasure.