On Thursday 17 October, in celebration of Black History Month, our drama scholars (along with some other performers) put on a Performance Showcase to celebrate the works and influence of black artists. Held in the Tithe Barn, the showcase provided an opportunity to raise awareness and introduce members of the Shiplake College community to perhaps not so well-known pieces of work by artists such as Maya Angelou and Mahershala Ali.
Pieces included monologues, speeches, poetry and plays and it was wonderful to see so many of our pupils from across the College getting involved. For some, it was their first time performing in a Shiplake Showcase and while there were sure to be nerves, all looked at home on the stage. A special mention must also go to our hosts on the evening – George Watson and Will Griffith – who introduced each performance and performed themselves!
Teacher of Drama, Miss Griffiths, says the following:
‘Yet again, we are thrilled to present our third Black History Month showcase, a testament to our commitment to promoting diversity and broadening the cultural experiences of the Shiplake community. Black History Month is a time to celebrate, recognise, and honour the remarkable achievements and contributions of black individuals throughout history. This vibrant and inspiring month is an opportunity to show the resilience, creativity and innovation of black trailblazers who have made a significant impact in their field.
We must respectfully acknowledge the context in which we present these performances. As individuals who do not share the same lived experiences or history as those who are black, it is important for us to recognise that our intention is not to appropriate or misrepresent their experiences, nor is it to assume or imitate their identities. Instead, we wish to admire and appreciate the stories, experiences, and art that black artists have generously shared with the world.
We understand that the history and experiences the scholars are portraying are not their own, as such we have put these pieces together with sensitivity and care creating a platform that encourages reflection and appreciation of the rich tapestry that is black history and black culture. Showcasing their work, we aim to amplify the voices and experiences of Black artists and inspire thought-provoking conversations.
We hope that you enjoy each of the performances and have inspired you to share more diverse playwrights in your next conversation about theatre.’
Well done to the following pupils who performed:
- Eva Merry, Year 7 - Life Doesn't Frighten Me at All, Maya Angelou
- Audrey Edimoh, Year 7 – Life Doesn't Frighten Me at All, Maya Angelou
- Liam Ellison, Year 9 - Shedding a Skin, Amanda Wilkin
- Albie Ball, Year 10 - Fences, August Wilson
- Archie Parmar, Year 10 - Fences, August Wilson
- Jonny Pearson, Year 10 - Atticus' Closing Speech, To Kill A Mockingbird
- Z Miles, Year 10 - Hymn, Lolita Chakrabarti
- Will Griffith, Year 11 - Intimate Apparel, Lynn Nottage
- George Watson, Year 11 - Green Book, Mahershala Ali
- Felix Collar, Year 13 - Green Book, Mahershala Ali
If you missed the show and want to get a taste of the performances, you can catch all the performances in the video below:
Flickr album: BHM Drama Showcase October 2024 |
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