She lived in a tiny hole for years. Because of the darkness that incessantly surrounded her, she couldn’t tell the difference between day and night. But she never gave up hope, for she knew that freedom would come – and it eventually did.

Harriet Jacobs’ story and similar ones about slavery reveal the tribulations that slaves endured and how they overcame them to achieve freedom.

Starting tonight, the Rose of Athens Theater will present a drama, “North Star Light: Pathways to Freedom.”

Written by John Lipsky, this play narrates the ordeals of slaves and their quest for freedom.

The play is based on the lives of popular African-American figures such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Levi Cossin and many more.

“Slavery is a hard thing to discuss – it’s hard to think that we treated people that way,” said Jason Beckham, an Athens-based singer and songwriter who’s a cast member. “This play is about the different perspectives of slavery, from the dark aspects to the bright aspects of freedom.”

The play focuses on the roles that different people played in slavery: slaves, abolitionists, proslavery advocates.

“This play is not just for African-Americans – the stories speak to nonblacks as well,” said Lisa Cesnick, co-founder of Rose of Athens Theater. “These are human stories.”

Cesnick said two of the characters, Bajo Sonubi and Carole Kaboya, are black, while Beckham is white.

Some students who plan to see the play expressed their enthusiasm about it.

“I’m going to see it because I feel that it’s a great way to celebrate Black History Month by engaging in activities that further education about black history,” said Brenton Brown, a senior from Locust Grove.