Asheville – “Take your seats, sit up straight, and pay attention! The Magnetic Theatre is thrilled to present Da Classroom Ain’t Enuf, by Charles Payne, running through June 17th. This choreopoem, inspired by the work of Ntozake Shange, explores the lives of Black and Brown communities, particularly as they intersect with the American educational system.”
A Unique Art Form
While I could have written my own intro, this excerpt from the press release says it all, and it says it well.
The term “choreopoem” may not be familiar. I’m a poet, and it wasn’t a word I knew. This particular art form combines poetry, dance, music, and song, and it took these vignettes to places I would not have imagined.
An Engaging Ensemble Cast
The ensemble cast of Kevin Evans, Bill Heath, Aina Rapoza, and Jessica Wilson not only moved the audience to laugh, cry, and offer other very vocal emotions, but at times the crowd spontaneously joined in on the songs. Everything from quietly accompanying a hymn to joyfully and loudly singing along to a childhood favorite. No spoilers there, but it’s not anything I would have ever expected.
A Journey of Perspectives
Each actor played more characters than I could count; we were taken on journeys of silliness and heartbreak, sorrow and elation, tragedy and triumph. Every sketch, song, poem, and monologue brought forth a new understanding of perspectives I had not considered before. Some were very brief stand-alone pieces, and some called back from earlier in the show. And all of them reached into my brain, my heart, or my soul to affect me in a new way.
Addressing Systemic Racism
Although there are several pieces that address the ways in which our systemic racism physically harms the minds and bodies of BIPOC, they are delivered in a way that calls the audience in, asking them to join the actors on their journey.
Spark The Arts Grant
All of this is partially why the production was awarded the North Carolina Arts Council’s Spark The Arts Grant. One of their requirements for the use of the funding is that the work created be a project “designed to reach previously under-engaged communities, such as communities of color, disability communities, rural communities, economically disadvantaged communities, and other underserved communities, that includes collaborative planning with the community served.”
As is often the case in our country, the schools that are most underfunded are the ones with a high percentage of BIPOC students, which are in communities that are both economically disadvantaged and underserved.
The grant afforded The Magnetic Theatre the chance to take playwright Charles Payne’s concept all the way through their New Play Development Program. Co-Artistic Directors Katie Jones and Jessica Johnson worked closely with Payne from start to finish, including having a staged reading at both The Magnetic Theatre and Clemson University before the launch of the full production.
A Collaborative Effort
This world premiere was born of a collaborative effort between the writer, Jessica Johnson as dramaturg, and director Katie Jones. Another important aspect of this show was provided by the designers: Abby Auman, Tom Bastek, Dyneece Woods, and Black Wall Street Artists Anne Mbodwam and Beth Soler.
An Advocacy for Educators
From the lighting and set to the signs adorning the walls of the seating area, the advocacy of our poorly paid and often ill-treated educators surrounded the audience. Before the performance even started, we were brought into their world. Given the opportunity to consider not only the struggles of our nation’s teachers but the strength, resiliency, and compassion they must possess to continue on against all that is thrown at them every day.
A Message of Hope
When the show was over, we left knowing that many of them do it with humor. With unconventional ideas. With their own personal difficulties pushed to the side. With the wisdom bestowed upon them by their childhood teachers, and most of all, with hope. Always with hope.
Da Classroom Ain’t Enuf Enuf runs June 2nd through June 17th, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and at 4:00 p.m. on Sundays. The show contains adult themes; discretion is advised.