“Sojourner,” an epic journey following the life of Sojourner Truth, the abolitionist, women's rights activist and author, is being presented by First World Theatre Ensemble in collaboration with Quintessence Theatre Group in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia's home for classic theatre. “Sojourner” is being presented as a full virtual production available on demand through May 23.

Barrymore-nominated for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play for her one-woman performance in “Sojourner,” Zuhairah McGill is the Founding Artistic Director of First World Theatre Ensemble. She originated the title role in Richard LaMonte Pierce's play in 2002 and has toured the production across the country.

“And each time I do the play, I'm amazed at all this woman was able to do,” said McGill, who asked that her age not be mentioned. “Here's this woman who was born into slavery and eventually became a confidant to Abraham Lincoln and master debater with Frederick Douglass. I keep doing this play because I believe it's necessary for people to know who she was and how powerful she was during that time period. (Sojourner Truth lived from 1797 to 1883.) Here's a woman who couldn't read or write, and yet she led her people towards bringing slavery to an end. In fact, so powerful is her legacy that she is the only African-American woman whose bust sits in our nation's Capitol building.”

So when Mt. Airy's Quintessence Theatre came to McGill to ask if she'd be interested in shooting the play into a film, she quickly agreed. “It's like a stage play film, and I hope many, many people will see and enjoy it. And eventually I want to turn it into a feature film, as they did with 'Harriet' (Tubman). As a matter of fact, Sojourner was Harriet Tubman's mentor. I want Oprah to see the film. I want the Obamas to see it. I think big. I want to make Philadelphia proud.”

McGill said she hopes after seeing the production, audiences walk away with the knowledge that there's a Sojourner Truth in all of us. “So we should always fight for the truth and always fight for what is right. To fight against things that are not fair to anyone and not accept anything less.”

The Brooklyn native, who eventually moved to Philadelphia with her family, admitted that she always wanted to be an actress or director. “Both of my parents worked in show business, so I believe I was always destined to be a performer. I had no other choice. I started out as a dancer, but after several tours my knees got bad, so I turned to acting.”

McGill has appeared in numerous off-Broadway shows and national tours, including “Most Dangerous Man in America,” “Night Mother,” “For Colored Girls” and many more. Through the years, McGill also turned to another passion: directing. Once becoming the Director in Residence at the Prince Music Theatre, she is also the Creative Artistic Director for the Master Griot Project. This woman of many talents has garnered many awards, including The Black Arts for Social Change Award, The 2012 Most Distinguished Director Award and the 2015 Image Award.

“Of course,” she said, “winning awards is wonderful, and I love the kind of acknowledgement they bring. But more importantly, for me it's when I walk off stage knowing I have affected the audience the way I wanted to, the way I should have. For me, that's the biggest reward of all.”

Tickets are priced at $15 and are available at www.QTGrep.org or by calling 215-987-4450.