SCHOOL NEWS
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The Best in Black By Beverly Perkins
he Broward Center for The Performing Arts, in partnership with the Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), kicked off a new Civics Through the Arts Program that focused on equity, diversity and inclusion and featured a virtual performance of Rhapsody in Black. Harrowing, incredible, often hilarious, and always authentic, Rhapsody in Black is an impactful one-man show written and performed by New York City-based actor LeLand Gantt. The show explores his personal journey to understand and eventually transcend racism in America. The work, which made its debut in 2015, seemed tailor-made to address the racial distress that has come to the forefront this year. Three local high schools were chosen to be a part of the unique opportunity including Hallandale High School where students from Theater, English, and Debate classes watched the educational version of the show and participated in a live Q&A with Gantt which was moderated by Neki
Mohan. The students then participated in a workshop, led by Broward Center Teaching Artists, where they wrote and created their own autobiographical performance pieces focused on identity affirmation. “My experience with the Rhapsody in Black program was nothing less than inspiring and motivating for not only myself, but for my peers, to be my truthful and speak on your passions. This program gave an outlet for individuals to face their darkness demons and admit their faults and secrets,” explained Hallandale High School student Jayson Morón. The recent culmination of the special 6-segment program featured select students to perform their autobiographical performance pieces that they wrote during the series with another virtual visit from Gantt. “Since this was the first original piece I was submitting, outside of class assignments, it was difficult. But getting it done and seeing it play for everyone gave me a confidence boost. Now, thanks to the program,
18 / Our City Hollywood / April 2021 / OurCityMedia.com
I know that I can write something about myself and that I can make my sad stories funny,” exclaimed Hallandale High School student Nyla Daniels. “To finally be able to be honest about topics I have kept inside for so long and express it out loud to a comfortable audience really made an impact on my life today, it lifted the weight I had on my shoulders for so long. That was the beauty of this program,” added Morón.
