“American Revival was born out of a longing for connection–for spaces where people can see and listen to each other again,” said Nicholas Ma, creator of American Revival and director of the documentary Leap of Faith. “Cape Cod has such a rich tradition of creativity and compassion, and I can’t imagine a better place to gather around the question of how we build community through kindness.”
The experience begins on Tuesday, November 18th at 4:00 pm. The afternoon will feature a call to love from filmmaker Nicholas Ma, as well as performances by his father, world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma; acclaimed singer-songwriter Tianna Esperanza; award-winning actor Alfre Woodard; and additional special guests. A community Thanksgiving Community Dinner will follow the production.
On Wednesday, November 19, at 7:00 PM, WHAT will host a special screening of Leap of Faith, Ma’s moving new documentary, which follows twelve diverse Christian leaders brought together by Michael Gulker of The Colossian Forum. Across a year of retreats, they wrestle with today’s most divisive issues, asking whether we can disagree and still belong to each other in a divided world.
Thursday, November 20, is Mr. Rogers Day. At 4:00 pm, the public is invited to a free community screening of Won’t You Be My Neighbor — the acclaimed documentary about Fred Rogers and the enduring legacy of kindness that Ma co-produced.
On Friday, November 21st, from 4 to 8 pm, The Helpers Tent is a celebration of the Cape community. Inspired by Fred Rogers’ call to “look for the helpers,” the gathering will spotlight local organizations, everyday heroes, and interactive activities for all ages, inviting neighbors to connect, discover resources, and honor the spirit of kindness and service. The tent will be heated and located outside of WHAT. All are welcome to attend and encouraged to make a commitment to a local organization working to make our community kinder and welcoming.
American Revival is a national cultural movement curated and organized by Ernest Lyford. Each gathering brings together the inspiring and the unexpected, harnessing that energy to build bridges and forge lasting bonds across difference, all with the goal of strengthening the country’s faith in community.
American Revival Cape Cod, is co-presented with Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, the Stand Together Foundation, and JetBlue. The four-day program weaves together music, film, and community engagement to create a shared vision for why and how we matter to each other, even as we feel more divided than ever. Ten local organizations, including the Fine Arts Work Center, PAAM, Castle Hill, Wellfleet Preservation Hall, Payomet Performing Arts Center, The Fishermen’s Alliance, the MLK Action Team, Outer Cape Health, the Wampanoag Nation, and the Wellfleet Library, have all come together to co-host this special event.