Frederator Studios, the leading independent producer of cartoons for television and video, has optioned the Black History-themed plays, Hidden Heroes, by renowned journalist, historian and Andy Warhol superstar, Abigail McGrath. The series will be developed by Shawnee’ Gibbs and Shawnelle Gibbs, who have most recently served as Staff Writers for HBO Max’s upcoming animated series, Little Ellen.
The animated series will build on McGrath’s Hidden Heroes– a series of plays that highlight the extraordinary tales of African American Heroes, including Frederick Douglass, Crispus Attucks, Benjamin Banneker- to also feature women and people of other ethnic groups, who have been overlooked or left out of traditional history book curriculum. The plays were originally performed in a Commedia dell’arte style on the streets of New York City by McGrath’s legendary Off Center Theatre.
“Hidden Heroes is a passion project to spotlight underrepresented trailblazers. My desire is for it to be a co-viewing experience that makes history vivid and vivacious,” says Abigail McGrath. “There is no man in the world I trust more than Michael Hirsh and Frederator to bring these legends to life and into people’s hearts with dignity and humor.”
A conversation between Michael Hirsh, CEO of Frederator Studios, and Abigail McGrath sparked the idea of a Hidden Heroes during the Renaissance House’s annual production of What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? by Frederick Douglass. Renaissance House has been producing this event for more than twenty years.
“It’s an honor to be collaborating with Abigail and Frederator on such a relevant and much needed series in the kids and family space.” says Shawnee’ Gibbs
Hirsh says, “As long time friends and collaborators Abigail and I agree that the timing could not be more perfect for an adaptation of these plays and historical stories into an animation series. We all need to know more about these ‘hidden heroes’.”
“We’re so in love with this project and are excited about the potential it has to inspire the next generation of heroes.” commented Shawnelle Gibbs
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