Tired Souls: King and the Montgomery Bus Boycott

This powerful stage production brings to life the early days of the Civil Rights Movement and the pivotal leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Tired Souls opens in Montgomery, Alabama on December 1, 1955—the day Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a white man. Her determination was the catalyst that inspired Montgomery’s Black citizens to abandon all travel on city buses until they were no longer forced to sit in the back or stand when a white person boarded.

But there were others who came before Mrs. Parks and laid the groundwork for this pivotal moment. Tired Souls introduces audiences to Jo Ann Robinson, Claudette Colvin, and others so instrumental in lighting a fire under the Civil Rights movement and changing the course of US history forever.

Hosted by the YMI, and presented in partnership with North Carolina Stage Company and Mike Wiley Productions, Tired Souls: King and the Montgomery Bus Boycott runs August 20-31, 2025. Performances take place Wednesdays through Sundays, with evening and matinee showings to accommodate diverse audiences.

A Q&A with playwright and performer Mike Wiley follows each performance. Special programming includes HBCU/NPHC nights on Fridays, sliding scale admission on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and Sunday matinees designed with Black faith communities in mind.

Written and performed by award-winning playwright and actor Mike Wiley, you won’t want to miss this unforgettable theatrical experience that honors the spirit of resistance and the power of community.

All performances of Tired Souls take place at the YMI Cultural Center, 39 S. Market St. in downtown Asheville. Purchase tickets at www.ncstage.org, or call (828) 239-0263.