In honor of Black History Month, The West Coast Black Theatre Troupe came to campus to inform students about important black individuals who impacted history. Throughout Feb. 17 and 18, members of the troupe conducted songs and performances that served as engaging, educational lessons for middle- and high-school students.
The actors and actresses dressed as famous black figures from the 1920’s and sang about the situations that occurred in that period. In between songs, they also spoke of the hardships black people faced in the past. The musical performance included many 1920’s jazz songs and characters from the Harlem Renaissance, such as writer Langston Hughes and musician Billie Holiday. The performance was aimed to communicate that Harlem was a beacon of hope for many of the blacks in the past who faced segregation and racism.
The actors who performed included Alyssa White, Earley Dean, Joel Patrick King, Donald Frison, Michael Mendez and Tara Conner Jones.
“My favorite part about acting is possessing the ability to transform into someone completely different. I love inviting audience members into my world and taking them on the journey,” Jones said.