WS Chronicle

By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D. 

More than 30 students from the Beginning Theatre Arts classes at Carver Nation and the Carver Drama Club supported the vision of the drama instructor, Makkedah Miller, as well as Kaia Brown, a student from N.C. A & T State University’s theatre department, Carver’s band members, majorettes, varsity cheerleaders, the Carver Jazz Band and instructors from different departments who contributed to “Our Legacy: A Black History Montage.” 

The instructors included Cherie Kimbrough who performed Nikki Giovanni’s poem “Ego-Tripping”; Michael Dorsey who performed “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes; Dominique Hill (known as DJ Dom Savant) who performed using his deejay equipment and his vinyl collection from Lauryn Hill and Nas, “If I Ruled the World,” as Messiah Unsudimi performed his own lyrics. They played an original 16 bars of the instrumental song by Nas.  

I performed as the African Griot in my original work “When Courage Becomes Contagious: Remembering Selma Then and Now.” Four of the students presented a scene from my original play, “February One.” The performers included Montevio “MJ” Mosely, Carter Boston, Amireon Scott Williams, and Jaydan Gause Hughes. Hughes also performed as Warrior Mansa Musa with Terria Thompson (Queen Amina of Zazzau), as well as performing in the duo of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (Semaya Plater) in a Motown selection “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” 

“The eras we presented included pre-colonial, the enslavement era, the post-colonial era, and modern time. We explored royalty from across the continent of Africa,” said Makkedah Miller, the theatre arts instructor. “The students presented famous figures across the African Diaspora, including civil rights figures, famous artists, writers and musicians. We also portrayed different dance styles. 

“Although we had some challenges and technical difficulties when we were preparing for the show, I am extremely proud of the students,” said Miller. “Many of the students overcame their stage fright and were dancing across the stage in free motion. This showed their growth as actors and performers.” 

Principal Thyais Maxwell was pleased to see so many students participating in the schoolwide observance of Black History Month. “The students enjoyed participating in the historical theatre program. The whole school had the opportunity to engage and support them, as some of them acted or performed for the very first time,” said Dr. Maxwell. “I am proud of the dedication and commitment they put into the production.” 

The students celebrated various aspects of the theatre arts production which highlighted the students and the educators. 

“I enjoyed seeing the cheerleaders perform some of the dances …  Hearing one of the girls sing by herself was such a surprise. She sang so well!” said senior Iliana Camacho 

Erick Avila Zamora liked the variety in the show. “I liked how Mr. Hill was playing records and deejaying hip-hop. The dancers were very entertaining and fun to watch. I saw Edwin and his marching band playing songs. They were also very entertaining and lively,” said Zamora. 

“I really liked how professionally the students and instructors worked together. The band did a great job. I was amazed at how many students had an instrument and they seemed so passionate. The cheerleaders looked so strong,” said senior Yessenia Santos. 

“I loved the fact that the program was not just based on one play, but a variety of acts. They incorporated all kinds of entertainment, such as hip-hop, dance and poetry,” said senior Isaiah J. Campbell. “I loved the way they used African heroes and anthems to show respect and to highlight their dedication to the African Americans.”