“Ella The Ungovernable” tells the gripping true story of 15-year-old Ella Fitzgerald’s incarceration and escape from The New York Training School For Girls in 1933. After moving to Yonkers, NY, from Virginia during The Great Northern Migration, Ella’s life took a tragic turn when her mother died in a car accident. Left in the custody of her mother’s abusive boyfriend, she was soon sent to a neglectful aunt in Harlem and eventually ended up living on the streets, where she was arrested and sent to the notorious Training School.

The majority of the play’s action takes place at The Training School, infamous in the 1920s for the physical and sexual abuse of its inmates. “Ella The Ungovernable” vividly portrays how Ella and her fellow inmates survived and endured the harsh conditions, highlighting their resilience and strength. The play delves deep into the struggles they faced and their determination to overcome them.

At its core, “Ella The Ungovernable” is a powerful narrative about perseverance and hope. With a message of “don’t ever, ever give up,” the play serves as a rallying cry for modern audiences, particularly in these anxiety-ridden times. Viewers will leave the performance feeling enlivened, uplifted, and empowered, inspired by Ella’s incredible journey and indomitable spirit.