Broadway Black Kids
Broadway Black Gives Back: Help Students From Brownsville See Shuffle Along
I’m the queen of talking about theatre and accessibility, but it’s time I put my (and other people’s) money where my mouth is.
This past school year I’ve had the honor of teaching over 200 amazing students in Brownsville, performing arts (Acting, Singing, Dancing) and as I sat at home, I wondered what I could do to make my class feel more real, more tangible. Sure they’ve had their winter concert, Black History Month show, and soon their Spring musicals but what else can I do? For many of my students this class was out of there comfort zone and over the course of the year I’ve noticed students really breaking out of their shells and discovering a new creative part of themselves.
Then I had this idea. I saw Shuffle Along Or the Making of the Musical Sensation and All That Followed while it was in previews and I was captivated from start to finish. There was a particular moment about William Grant Still that made it all click for me. I had just taught my students about William Grant Still a few weeks prior and here he was being presented in this amazing show. It came to me, I have to take some of my students to see this show, I must. So I thought long and hard about who would go and how I can make this possible. I came up with a list of 12 amazing, talented students that are I personally feel would benefit from seeing this show. Not only would they enjoy the dancing, singing, acting, lighting design, set design, orechestrations, but I picked students that would care about the history and the story being told. Students that would understand that it’s because of people from the past in the original Shuffle Along and the people in the present currently on stage performing at The Music Box that allow them, the people of the future, to be able to continue where they left off.
Check out one of my students KILLING “Seasons of Love” from the Broadway Musical RENT!
A video posted by Jazmine Harper-Davis (@themelaningawd) on
This was powerful to me and I want my students to be able to see something that will hopefully inspire them to continue to be creative, to continue to strive for excellence in the arts, continue to grow and know there is a place for them in the theatre. I remember my High School Drama teacher taking me to see Broadway shows that forever changed the trajectory of my life and my career. It’s important for these students to see a show that tells a story that would otherwise be forgotten. It’s important that the story lives on and what better way to ensure that than with the next generation. My students. So I created a GoFundMe with the hope that people understand what I’m trying to do and feel inspired by it. Whether it be $5 or $50 this is a show that I fully expect to change these little performers lives. More info on the GoFundMe campaign can be found here.
Two of the 12 students singing a bit of @hamiltonmusical with me after school! These are the kids you’re helping!!!! gofundme.com/LPBVMAShuffle A video posted by Jazmine Harper-Davis (@themelaningawd) on
UPDATE: 4/25/16
Through the generosity of some amazing donors, we have met our goal, in only FIVE days. I honestly didn’t expect to meet it so soon, however because of this I’ve gotten word there are people who are still willing and wanting to give.
So we’re going to open the trip to add (4) more students (yay!) Any additional funding we receive will be used to take more students to see the show.
Once again from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU all who donated and shared with family and friends, this wouldn’t have been possible without any of your help.
Here’s a quick thank you in the form of some of the 6th grade students performing “Steppin To The Bad Side” from Dreamgirls!
