The Drum Major Instinct

The Drum Major Instinct presents dramatic readings by acclaimed actors of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s The Drum Major Instinct—a powerful, cautionary sermon about the impulse in all humans to be first—with the goal of generating powerful dialogue about racism, inequality, democracy, and social justice, fostering compassion, understanding, and positive action. These readings are accompanied by original and arranged music composed and conducted by Dr. Philip Woodmore, featuring a diverse choir of singers, including educators, activists, police officers, and members of the faith community from St. Louis, Missouri.

Featuring Chad Coleman (The Walking Dead, The Wire), The Phil Woodmore Singers and the New Sunny Mount MBC Mass Choir, and sloists De-Rance Blaylock, Duane Foster, and John Leggette.

Directed and facilitated by Bryan Doerries.

Co-facilitated by De-Andrea Blaylock-Solar.

Co-presented by Theater of War Productions, Race Forward, and Americans for the Arts as part of the Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy.

Hosted by New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church.

This event will be captioned in English on Zoom. If you choose to join us online, this event can be accessed on personal devices. The event Zoom link will be distributed via email and available to registered attendees starting two days prior to the event.

In person registration does not guarantee a seat. We encourage audience members to join us at 6:15pm CDT for the 7pm CDT start time.

All of Theater of War Productions' events follow the same format:

• The performers will read the text.
• Community panelists will kick off the discussion with their gut responses to what resonated with them across time.
• We will open the discussion to the audience, facilitated by Bryan Doerries and De-Andrea Blaylock-Solar. To participate in the discussion online, please raise your hand using the button at the bottom center of the screen. If called upon, please accept the invitation to be promoted to speak and you will be visible and heard by the entire audience for the duration of your comments. If you would prefer not to be seen, please disable your video.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church, 4700 West Florissant Avenue, St. Louis, United States