Episcopal Press and News

Original play highlights leadership of Nelson W. Pinder

Episcopal News Service. August 29, 2007 [082907-04]

The Rev. Canon Nelson W. Pinder was the subject of an original play, presented August 10-12 by the Orange County Regional History Center and People's Theatre Company in Orlando, Florida, that drew standing room only audiences.

"Pinder's Kids," written by Orlando playwright and actor Barry G. White, was inspired by the stories of black high school students of the 1960s who were actively involved with Pinder in sit-ins and other acts of non-violent resistance during the civil-rights era in Orlando.

Pinder, former president of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE), said he was "honored and thankful beyond comparison" to have a play created about the principles -- nonviolence, tolerance and existing in a multicultural society -- that he has stood for all of his life.

Pinder and several other sit-in participants recorded oral-history interviews about the civil-rights movement as material for the play and in the production; all but his character are fictional.

"Pinder's Kids" is expected to be available in the near future on the History Center website, and on DVD which will be used as a teaching tool in Central Florida’s public schools during black history month.

In addition, Pinder said that Bishop John W. Howe of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida is considering a viewing of the DVD at the January 2008 diocesan convention.