Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School | Black History Month | Arts, Culture & Community
Melanie Tohom Cruz sings Sam Cook's "A Change is Gonna Come." Kapp Singer photos.
Sixth-grader Melanie Tohom Cruz stood in the middle of the stage by herself. Wearing a purple robe with yellow trim, she took a deep breath, leaned into the microphone, and sang out the opening line of Sam Cook’s 1964 song “A Change is Gonna Come.”
“I was bo-o-o-rn by the river,” she belted, drawing out the lyrics to excited whoops from the audience. Soon, her classmates walked out on the stage to join her, bringing bright harmonies to Cook’s iconic, hopeful anthem.
Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School hosted their 2024 Black History Month celebration on Thursday in the BRAMS Auditorium. The evening featured nine performances from the school’s chorus, dance, theater, string quartet, and video classes, each of which touched on themes of the Black civil rights struggle.
“This year the students decided to learn about the unknown, the unheard, the unsung heroes in Black history,” said Tavares Bussey, the arts coordinator at Betsy Ross.
For example, the seventh grade theater class’s production of Ghosted at the Apollo—a vignette written by drama teacher Daniel Sarnelli—introduced viewers to Harlem’s Apollo Theater, an important venue for Black dramatic arts.
“I just like the overall process of watching the show come together,” said eighth-grader Mikayla Williams, who stepped in to help the seventh grade production. She played Mrs. Wright, a drama teacher who brings her students to the Apollo where they meet influential contemporary Black directors, sound designers, and costume designers.
Williams on stage.
“In the beginning it’s a little iffy, but when you do it on stage in the end it all just comes together,” Williams said. “I think it’s fun getting to be other characters.”
The dance number “Impossible Dream” also highlighted Black artists prominent in the students’ chosen art. As students bounded with power and precision across the stage, a slideshow of famous Black dancers and choreographers flashed on the screen behind them: Alvin Ailey, Janet Collins, Pearl Primus, and more.
The dance number "Impossible Dream."
“I thought we did amazing,” said seventh-grader Jaylynne Diaz, who performed in “Impossible Dream.” “I’ve always loved dancing because I can express myself and get better and better at it.”
The dance number "Those Who Came Before Us."
“I feel like we have a very good community,” said seventh grade dancer Tarra Vogt after the show. Vogt performed in the number “Those Who Came Before Us,” a flowing choreography to a dissonant, string-heavy instrumental.
“I feel like everyone’s very close and we love each other very much,” Vogt said. “It’s really nice to have people that care and really love what they’re doing.”