Tuskegee tells the powerful story of a group of young Black men who dared to dream of flight at a time when the world told them they were unfit to soar. Set against the backdrop of World War II and the brutal weight of Jim Crow America, this moving adaptation follows five aspiring airmen as they train, bond, struggle, and sacrifice on their journey to become part of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen.

Through humor, music, movement, and deeply human storytelling, the play explores the brotherhood that sustains these men as they face racism, doubt, institutional opposition, and the dangers of war. Their fight is not only against enemy forces overseas, but against the “gravity” of a country determined to hold them down. In choosing to rise, they prove that excellence, courage, and perseverance can become acts of resistance.

At once intimate and epic, Tuskegee honors the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen while celebrating the families, prayers, friendships, and communities that carried them forward. It is a story of pride, sacrifice, resilience, and remembrance — a tribute to the men who defied expectations, changed history, and continue to inspire future generations to take flight.

This is a free and open to the public performance at the Military Aviation Museum. There will be seating available in the second floor atrium to sit and watch the performance.

This is a work-in-progress reading of a new play in it’s mid-stage of development. Opportunities for feedback and engagement with the piece will be provided to all in attendance to inform development of the piece when it is fully staged in October.

This purpose-built airport facility includes more than 50 aircraft from the World War I and World War II eras. Located on 130 acres and home to historic structures, static displays, and regular flying demonstrations featuring some of history’s most iconic aircraft, the Museum is a must-see attraction. ROŪGE is proud to partner with the Military Aviation Museum to present this play in a setting that brings history vividly to life.

For more information, visit their website: https://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org/

Sharon Cook is a performer, director, playwright, theatre instructor, and the Founder and Artistic Director of The Underground Performing Arts Collective. A Norfolk native and retired 30-year veteran educator with Norfolk Public Schools, Sharon has been a longtime creative force in the Hampton Roads theatre community. Her work centers on creating space for underrepresented artists and uplifting stories that reflect, educate, and build community. As a performer, she has appeared in numerous regional and local productions, including Grease, Chicago, Pippin, A Christmas Carol: The Musical, All Shook Up, Legally Blonde, Hello, Dolly!, Annie, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and Disney’s Tarzan.

Sherilynn Cherry is a playwright, theatre professor, and Registered Drama Therapist whose work is rooted in culture, rhythm, storytelling, and ritual healing. She holds a BA in Dance and Theatre, an MA in Theatre, and an MFA in Script and Screenwriting from Regent University. A member of The Z Playwrights Lab at Zeiders American Dream Theatre, her one-woman show Good Girl Gone Single has been featured at the Orlando, Raleigh, and Z Fringe Festivals, and her play Peace of Still won the 2024 Proteus Festival.

Her work reflects a distinct Southern voice inspired by August Wilson, capturing the poetic essence of relatable life moments and using performance as a mirror for the human experience. She has presented at national conferences, including the Hip-Hop Literacies Conference at Ohio State University, and has participated in writing workshops with Pete Goldfinger of the Jigsaw franchise. Through her writing, teaching, and live performance, she creates work that reflects, translates, and celebrates what it means to be human.