I am an admirer of the artistry of Diana Ross, The Supremes, and Diana Ross and The Supremes; one of the members of this trio was Mary Wilson. On February 8, 2021, Mary Wilson passed away, and though I had never met her personally, I have friends old and young who have.

Two days after her passing, in the serene blackness of the early morning, while awake in bed, I felt a gentle poke at the back of my head, and when I turned around, there was nothing. But then, a vision unfolded before me—a bright orange bob wig on a mannequin, followed by a sparkly sliver of light that transformed into a silver lotus tree. In that light, I saw the outline of a woman. Then, the outline began to fill in. It was Mary Wilson. She appeared much younger and vibrant, as if in her late 20s or early 30s. She smiled at me and softly spoke the words, “Wise well, wise well, wise well,” Then, she and the lotus tree disappeared.

The meaning of “Wise well” remains a mystery to me. However, I believe that this encounter was an affirmation and a call to action. Towards the end of her life, Mary Wilson began touring with a motivational speech entitled “Dare to Dream.” I see this play as a continuation of her asking the world to dare to dream in a world that constantly suppresses it.

This play is a testament to the fact that I dreamed, and I dream, and I am asking you to do the same. We are all connected to the work of our ancestors, whether they are from our family, community, or those who support us in our purpose, no matter where they are in the world. Perhaps this play is a continuation of Mary Wilson’s call to the world: “Dare to Dream.”