It’s February! And with Black History Month crossing the calendar, soon will be the annual Black History showcase at Clear Springs High School.  While last year’s “Young, Gifted and Black” production did well, the senior directors of this year’s show are looking to reach new heights. 

“The production will allow you to have a new-found appreciation for other cultures around you- specifically Black culture,” director Delani Allen (12) said. “I want people that have never been to the show to have fun and understand that a lot of what’s in society comes from Black culture.” 

Show dates for this year’s production are Feb. 22 and 25, tickets will be free. Auditions are Feb. 5 and 6t 2:45-4:45 p.m. in the black box. Anybody from Clear Springs or Clear Creek is welcome to audition. If you don’t have a dance, song, or acting piece, a poem will be provided.  

The origin of Black History Month derives from “Negro History Week”, which was constructed by Carter G. Woodson and the ASNLH (Association for the Study of Negro Life and History) in 1926. His intention for the week was to extend and deepen the study of an African American history and culture that for centuries has been rejected. After his passing, fifty years later Black History became a recognized month. The ASALH today has continued upon his work. Their theme for this year’s Black History Month is African Americans and the Arts. 

African Americans and their influence in visual, literary, and performance arts are heavily prominent. From, cultural movements such as the Harlem renaissance, Black Arts Movement, to hip-hop and Afro-futurism. Black artists have been pioneers in every situation which they find themselves. 

As a four-year veteran of the show, director Christopher Hoxie (12) is inspired by actor, producer and director Denzel Washington. 

“He’s a phenomenal actor, good at what he does, and he carries a confidence to himself,” Hoxie said. 

The same sentiment can be shared for the King of Pop. “When I grew up it was always Michael Jackson,” director Silas Franklin (12) said. “His music touched me, I loved to sing to it, dance to it.” 

Singing, dancing and acting are always huge parts of the Black history production. But with less rehearsal days to perfect choreography, scenes and compositions, it’s essential that directors and cast do a good job of managing time. 

“We got to be extremely disciplined,” Hoxie said, “Just keep our focus on the fact that we have to put on a show in such little time.” 

While staples of the show, such as the African dance, girls and guys dance and Divine Nine step iterations will remain. The group of directors are looking to do things differently than the traditional shows of the past. 

“What we’re trying to convey to the audience is a more modern idea of African American history,” Hoxie said. “In years past we focused on more historical things. We’ve done Jackie Robinson, Harriet Tubman, all those phenomenal and tragic things, which are a part of our history, but we’re trying to get more of a modern feel.” 

“We have a vision and were putting it together hoping it is good- great even,” Franklin said. “I just look forward to actually doing it, putting it together, and putting it out to the world. ‘Cause it’s always been fun since my sophomore year, just hope to get a bigger outreach.” 

Even though the Black History production is the biggest cultural showcase of the school year, there is always room for improvement. Directors along with cast members are hopeful to educate, entertain and interact with an audience even larger than the previous years. Whether it may be a newfound appreciation, or thrilling experience, and Frankin thinks it is for certain that the audience will leave with a smile on their face. “I want them to have fun, I want them to engage.” 

Producing and directing the show is a unique experience, as the Black history show is the only student-led show in the school. The group of student directors have been pitching ideas for the show since the beginning of the school year. 

Being a first-year director, Delani Allen (12) gets to see the show from conception to completion. “I think it’s really cool to watch the show, unravel and start from day one practice and see the actual production.” Allen said. 

With Black students making up 6% of the student population, it’s super important to recognize Black history. “Our culture has infiltrated into society,” Allen said. 

“It gives us our unique traits.” Franklin added. “It allows us to stand out.  Every group of people has their own culture, and fortunately for Black people we have a prominent culture that outreaches to multiple groups of people. Without us trends, fashion, music, wouldn’t be as good.” 

Although everyone loves the dances, music and all-around playfulness of the show, a necessary takeaway from the production will always be its social commentary. 

“The lack of education repeats violence against Black people,” Franklin said. “And as people we don’t want to see that… That will be the importance of going to the show and learning about Black history, to