Harlem Renaissance Student Arts Showcase 2021_web

SHOWBILL

Harlem Renaissance
Student Arts Showcase

2021

Presented by
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Rho Mu Omega Chapter

In Conjunction with DC Pearls III Foundation
Sponsored by Events DC

The Harlem Renaissance Student Arts Showcase was launched with
teens in our community. Our teens participated in thoughtful
discussions about their interests in the Arts. They discussed their
current training and their arts-related goals. The teens were given
advice on steps they could take to further their arts education and
experiences.

They were able to witness performances from talented artists, and
participate in a series of performing arts workshops in dance,
singing, and acting. No experience was required.

We referred to our teenage students as cast members because we
were impressed by them. We wanted them to immerse themselves
in their roles and to visualize themselves performing in the many
opportunities that are waiting for them.

We unveiled the rich culture of our Harlem Renaissance Period and
Black Arts Movement while aligning this unapologetic moment of
our past to our present day art form.

Two performing art sessions were held from April 13 - 22, 2021. Each
session consisted of workshops in dance, singing and acting for 4.5
hours. During this time, cast members learned theory, drills and
warm ups, and they were able to practice and perform each art
discipline.

Each workshop was conducted virtually via Zoom, as a safety
measure required per the Covid-19 pandemic. Each session was
recorded. Excerpts from each session have been captured to
showcase on the DC Pearls III Foundation website.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated,
Rho Mu Omega Chapter
in conjunction with
DC Pearls III Foundation



PRESENTS




HARLEM RENAISSANCE

STUDENT ARTS SHOWCASE

Visionaries



Angela Thompson

Asya Heatley
Ayana Reed

A New African American Identity:

With the end of the Civil War in 1865, hundreds of thousands of African Americans newly
freed from the yoke of slavery in the South began to dream of fuller participation in
American society, including political empowerment, equal economic opportunity, and
economic and cultural self-determination.

Unfortunately, by the late 1870s, that dream was largely dead, as white supremacy was
quickly restored to the Reconstruction South. White lawmakers on state and local levels
passed strict racial segregation laws known as “Jim Crow laws” that made African
Americans second-class citizens. While a small number of African Americans were able to
become landowners, most were exploited as sharecroppers, a system designed to keep
them poor and powerless. Hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) perpetrated lynchings
and conducted campaigns of terror and intimidation to keep African Americans from voting
or exercising other fundamental rights.

With booming economies across the North and Midwest offering industrial jobs for workers
of every race, many African Americans realized their hopes for a better standard of living—
and a more racially tolerant environment—lay outside the South. By the turn of the 20th
century, the Great Migration was underway as hundreds of thousands of African Americans
relocated to cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit, Philadelphia, and New York. The
Harlem section of Manhattan, which covers just three square miles, drew nearly 175,000
African Americans, giving the neighborhood the largest concentration of black people in
the world. Harlem became a destination for African Americans of all backgrounds. From
unskilled laborers to an educated middle-class, they shared common experiences of
slavery, emancipation, and racial oppression, as well as a determination to forge a new
identity as free people.

The Great Migration drew to Harlem some of the greatest minds and brightest talents of
the day, an astonishing array of African American artists and scholars. Between the end of
World War I and the mid-1930s, they produced one of the most significant eras of cultural
expression in the nation’s history—the Harlem Renaissance. Yet this cultural explosion also
occurred in Cleveland, Los Angeles and many cities shaped by the great migration. Alain
Locke, a Harvard-educated writer, critic, and teacher who became known as the “dean” of
the Harlem Renaissance, described it as a “spiritual coming of age” in which African
Americans transformed “social disillusionment to race pride.”

The Harlem Renaissance encompassed poetry and prose, painting and sculpture, jazz and
swing, opera and dance. What united these diverse art forms was their realistic
presentation of what it meant to be black in America, what writer Langston Hughes called
an “expression of our individual dark-skinned selves,” as well as a new militancy in
asserting their civil and political rights.

The Harlem Renaissance

Source: https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/new-african-american-identity-harlem-renaissance

Among the Renaissance’s most significant contributors were intellectuals W.E.B. Du
Bois, Marcus Garvey, Cyril Briggs, and Walter Francis White; electrifying performers
Josephine Baker and Paul Robeson; writers and poets Zora Neale Hurston, Effie Lee
Newsome, Countee Cullen; visual artists Aaron Douglas and Augusta Savage; and an
extraordinary list of legendary musicians, including Louis Armstrong, Count Basie,
Eubie Blake, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Ivie Anderson, Josephine
Baker, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, and countless others.

At the height of the movement, Harlem was the epicenter of American culture. The
neighborhood bustled with African American-owned and run publishing houses and
newspapers, music companies, playhouses, nightclubs, and cabarets. The literature,
music, and fashion they created defined culture and “cool” for blacks and white alike,
in America and around the world.

As the 1920s came to a close, so did the Harlem Renaissance. Its heyday was cut
short largely due to the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and resulting Great Depression,
which hurt African American-owned businesses and publications and made less
financial support for the arts available from patrons, foundations, and theatrical
organizations.

However, the Harlem Renaissance’s impact on America was indelible. The
movement brought notice to the great works of African American art, and inspired
and influenced future generations of African American artists and intellectuals. The
self-portrait of African American life, identity, and culture that emerged from Harlem
was transmitted to the world at large, challenging the racist and disparaging
stereotypes of the Jim Crow South. In doing so, it radically redefined how people of
other races viewed African Americans and understood the African American
experience.

Most importantly, the Harlem Renaissance instilled in African Americans across the
country a new spirit of self-determination and pride, a new social consciousness, and
a new commitment to political activism, all of which would provide a foundation for
the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. In doing so, it validated the beliefs
of its founders and leaders like Alain Locke and Langston Hughes that art could be a
vehicle to improve the lives of the African Americans.

OPENING

The performing arts workshops
began with a lesson on the
Harlem Renaissance period. We
drew parallels to our rich culture
on U Street in Washington, D.C.,
which is often referred to as
"Black Broadway on U."



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gboEyrj02g

https://vimeo.com/106750806 Students learned about the
https://blackbroadwayonu.com/ impact of the Harlem
Renaissance on national and
international arts movements,
and the role the Harlem
Renaissance played as a social
and political force in the African
American community.

NIGHT

The first night also featured Sonray, a poet laureate. She recited a
poem that she had written for the occasion. This exposed the
cast members to the power of the spoken word.

Interviews Part I: https://youtu.be/4_bwIWkxl5w & Part II: https://youtu.be/lrbXM-Yr7aM



The first night concluded with cast members discussing some of
their goals and aspirations with actor, Neko Ramos. Mr. Ramos
offered candid advice to the cast members on what they could do
to nurture their craft. He also shared what it is like to study acting
and to pursue acting as a career.

Interview https://youtu.be/j02Y3PXcg0c

TRACK 13

Shirley Graham Dubois, Author

Track Thirteen is a play written for radio entertainment
between 1938-1940 by Shirley Graham. Ms. Shirley was
one of five children and they were raised to appreciate
their African culture. She was married to Shadrach
McCanns and she had two sons. The couple later
divorced. Ms. Shirley was an accomplished musician,
composer, writer, and playwright and her talent enabled
her to earn money needed to raise her children. She
wrote several plays including Track Thirteen. She later
married W. E. B. Dubois and this changed the trajectory of
her life. The couple moved to Ghana and advocated
against racism, classism, and sexism.

TRACK 13

The Story LIne

Track Thirteen first aired on Yale University’s radio.

The story takes place on a moving train and it is based on
passengers’ interactions with the porter, conductor and
each other. Everyone is intimately committed to their
travels but cautiously intrigued with everyone around
them. As they make their way to their destination, they
discover that one of the passengers is less than credible.
The cast members seized the moment to portray one or
more of the different roles in the play, including dancing
and singing. This over dramatization is ideal for viewers
tuned in for ‘radio entertainment’.

ACTING

Actor Neko Ramos provided an overview of the performing
arts from the theater stage to the movie screen.
The goal of the evening was for students to perform a
dramatic reading of the play "Track 13" by Shirley Graham
Dubois. Cast members were mailed props (fedora,
suspenders, pocket watch, conductor cap, train whistle,
fascinator, lace gloves, pearls) in advance to use when
performing their parts Cast members also received virtual
backgrounds to set the scene. Each cast member was
given a part and had the opportunity to practice his or her
lines with instruction from Mr. Ramos. Afterward, the cast
members performed the scenes together.

SINGING

Cast members were given an overview of music theory by
singing instructors, Shawna Berry and Crystal Smith. Ms.
Berry and Ms. Smith taught the cast members how to do a
proper vocal warm-up, and perform to a song titled, "What
A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong. Each cast
member was given a part of the song to perform and they
practiced one-on-one with the instructors. Then, they
performed their part as a solo before the hour ended.

DANCING

Dancer, Khadijah Harvin, gave cast members an overview
of dance theory and creative movement. She then taught
the students the choreography of a dance that was
inspired by the Harlem Renaissance period to the music
titled, "Jump in Line" by Harry Belafonte. Cast members
learned the choreography and were able to have fun
performing the dance by the end of the hour.

Many Thanks
to

Our Amazing Cast

CAST MEMBERS

Aijah

Aijah played the role of ‘Elizabeth’, a dancer
and a singer. Aijah dances and performs at
school. Aijah is a triple threat.



Anastasia

Anastasia played the role of the 2nd voice, a
dancer and a singer. Anastasia has experience
in music theater and art. Anastasia aspires to
be a model, a singer, and a dancer. Anastasia
is a triple threat.

Dara

Dara played the role of the ’woman’, ‘Frances’,
a dancer and a singer. Dara has performed in
school plays and she will be on Broadway.
Dara is a triple threat.

Jayda

Jayda played the role of the’ 1st Californian’, a
dancer and a singer. Jayda is a triple threat.

Jordyn

Jordyn played the role of the ‘woman’s voice’, ‘1st
Californian’, a dancer, and a singer. Jordyn is a
competitive cheerleader and she is a triple threat.

CAST MEMBERS

Justin

Justin played the role of the ‘conductor’, a
dancer and a singer. Justin is a triple threat.




Khafre

Khafre played the role of the ‘porter’, a dancer
and a singer. Khafre has participated in many
performing arts programs at his school. He
aspires to be a model and an actor.
Khafre is a triple threat.

Lindsay

Lindsay played the role of a dancer.
Lindsay is naturally gifted in all art forms.

Lindsay is a triple threat.




Riley

Riley played the role of the ‘redcap’, ‘English
woman’, ‘1st Californian’, a dancer, and a singer.
Riley aspires to be a songwriter. Riley is a triple

threat.

Taylor

Taylor played the role of the ‘woman’, a
‘mother’, a dancer, and a singer. Taylor is a

triple treat.

CAST MEMBERS

Tyler

Tyler played the role of the ‘man’, the ‘GMan’, a
dancer, and a singer. Tyler is a triple treat.

Victoria

Victoria played the role of the ‘announcer’, a
dancer, and a singer. Victoria is a triple threat.

Zuri

Zuri played the role of the ‘1st voice’, a dancer,
and a singer. Zuri has performed with the Taritibu
Youth Association. Zuri will dance with the Alvin
Ailey Dance Company. Zuri is a triple threat.

Zuri

Zuri played the role of the conductor, ‘Elizabeth’, a
dancer, and a singer. Zuri has performed with the
West African Dance (Farafina Kan). She has danced,
sang, and recited spoken words. Zuri aspires to be a
poet laureate. Zuri is a triple threat.

Thank You for Your Outstanding Performances!

PERFORMANCE COACHES

Sonray Poet Laureate

Sonray’s emergence in the arts began as a kindergartner but due to a
spinal fusion surgery, her dancing/art aspirations were redirected to a
career in television journalism. Seven years ago, she transitioned out of
the television news industry to pursue her artistry full time with a refined
perspective. Sonray showcased her one-woman poetic play “Every
Woman Has a Hidden Scar” in LA. and now merges poetry with visual
poetry-painting. At the beginning of the pandemic, Sonray launched
World Art Poetry, a 501c3 organization formed in the DC area with a
global reach. Sonray is the recipient of several poetry awards, a
proclamation inclusion and won the World of Poets title. She was
recruited to create an after-school program for high schoolers, coaching
her students to write poetry and become published authors. Sonray is a
gifted poet and painter of more than 500 paintings. With the rhythm of a
purposeful heart, filled with a commitment to uplift, Sonray delivers
enlightening messages across the states.




Khadijah Corrie Harvin Dancer

Sky rocketing from the gorgeous Prince George’s County Maryland. A
2016 Cum Laude Graduate of the Illustrious Virginia Union University,
located in Richmond, Virginia, where she earned a Bachelor’s of
Science Degree in Entrepreneur Management. During her time at VUU
she has humbly held the title and served as the 87th Miss Virginia
Union University 2015-2016, the face of the university and founded and
created her own dance team her sophomore year called Superior High
Rank Dance Team at Virginia Union University. She continuously stands
proudly upon the platform “Love The Skin You’re In” Encouraging All
Youth To Embrace All Their Beautiful Flaws With D.A.N.C.E
(Determination, Articulation, Networking, Consistency, and Execution).
Since graduating from the university, she is a 2020 graduate from
Washington Adventist University, located in Takoma Park, Maryland
with a Masters in Business Administration focused in Marketing. She
has her own business branding and marketing firm, V.I.P By KC (Vision,
Ignites, Purpose). Specializing in creating digital and animation logos,
for well established business and start up businesses. She is a certified
Life Coach, motivational speaker and trained dancer. She is constantly
living in her God given purpose to help others strategically plan their
goals and dreams, develop and grow their own profitable business
plan, and to create and live the lifestyle they never have to vacation
from.

PERFORMANCE COACHES

Crystal Smith Singer

Crystal Smith has always had a passion for music. She began studying
piano and viola at the age of 10, but soon turned her focus to voice.She
has performed at the Kennedy Center, Strathmore Center, and on the
Today Show. She also performed at the Inaugural Prayer Service for
President Barack Obama.She has been able to perform with some of her
favorite artists, including opera singer Kathleen Battle, and Beyonce. She
studied at Towson University, attaining a Bachelor of Science in Music in
2014. Currently, Crystal is working in Financial Aid at the University of
Maryland Global Campus, but her deep love of music still remains a
constant in her life.

Shawna Berry Singer

Shawna R. Berry has been working in the field of education since 1998.
She was a classroom teacher until 2017. Since then she has been an
administrator in Prince George's County Public Schools. While Shawna is
passionate about education, her first love is music. Her collection
includes many genres including classical music by Handel, country
projects by Lady A, the latest from Cardi B. and everything in between.
She began singing at an early age in her church's Sunbeam Choir and has
not stopped..




Neko Ramos Actor

Neko is an actor, writer, performer, teacher, educator, and youth
advocate, who grew up in the Princes Georges County and graduated
from Howard University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts with a
concentration in acting. He has been acting for over 15 years and has also
studied in New York with Maggie Flannigan Studio and in England with
the British American Drama Academy. Neko has performed with many
local theatre’s such as Theatre Alliance, Young Playwrights Theatre, and
the Kennedy Center. He has worked in education since 2016 teaching and
assisting in different localities such as DC Charter Schools, Prince
Georges County, Prince Frederick County, Calvert County, St. Mary’s
County, and he is currently a 5th grade teacher with Charles County
Public Schools. Neko also has a mentoring program called ‘Young Black
and Beautiful’, which focuses on motivating, educating, celebrating, and
inspiring young teens. NEKO is excited to merge his passion for acting
and youth to work with Triple Threat Academy.

CREDITS

Thank you to the following people and organizations
who contributed to the success of this showcase.

Alex Duncan Grant Manager
Angela Bell VxPro, Inc. | Custom Design & Marketing
Angela Thompson Program Executive Producer
Arnitra Duckett First Vice President, Rho Mu Omega Chapter
Asya Heatley Program Executive Producer
Ayana Reed Program Executive Producer
Blayre Reddick Promotion Marketing
Carla McAlister Promotion Marketing
Courtney Bell One Seven 21 | Videographer
DC Pearls III Foundation Sponsor
Denise Reed Vice President for Development, DC Pearls III Foundation
Don M, WC Smith Partner

Events DC Sponsor
Gina Scott Second Vice President, Rho Mu Omega Chapter
Holli Townsend President, Rho Mu Omega Chapter
Jordyn Tillman Technology Support
Lynnitta Jones, BBAR Partner
Reshawna Banks Promotion Marketing
Rhonda Mitchell, WC Smith Partner
Saundra Roberts Executive Director, DC Pearls III Foundation
Sonray, World Art Poetry Partner
Tamara Holmes Grant Manager
Tia Plunkett-McQueen Promotion Marketing
Trenisha Jones Gaston Promotion Marketing
Triple Threat Academy Partner
Valerie Ducker Promotion Marketing

An artist must be free to
choose what he does,
certainly, but he must

also never be afraid to do
what he might choose.

Langston Hughes

Stay Tuned for Information About Our
2022 Performing Arts Program
and Other Upcoming Events

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.,
Rho Mu Omega Chapter
rhomuomega.org

[email protected]



DC Pearls III Foundation
dcpearlsiii.org

[email protected]