The Louisville High School Beta Club is partnering with the New Stage Theatre, a professional theatre located in Jackson, Mississippi, to present a production of If Not Us, Then Who? Freedom Rides to Freedom Summer as part of its Arts-in-Education statewide touring program
The public performance is set for February 28, 2019 at 6 p.m. in the Louisville High School Auditorium. As part of the special presentation, tickets for the event are only $5.
“This is part of the celebration of Black History Month,” noted LHS History teacher and Beta Club cosponsor Holly Haimes.
“We wanted to do something community oriented,” added Shane Davis, LHS teacher and Beta Club cosponsor.
If Not Us, Then Who? Freedom Rides to Freedom Summer is an original play that music chronicles two historic events that made an unforgettable impact on American history and Mississippi. In 1961 thirteen “Freedom Riders” began a journey to fight racial segregation. In 1964, Mississippians and out-of-state volunteers alike organized “Freedom Summer”, a massive voter registration drive to give African Americans a voice in politics. Interspersed with freedom songs from the movement, this production encourages the community to remember that America is at her best when we are working for the common good of all of its citizens. The plays features stories from famous participants like Fannie Lou Hamer and Senator John Lewis, as well as lesser-known heroes like James Zwerg, and Diane Nash, whose brave stories culminated in one historic summer.
Davis added that the LHS Beta Club has 71 members and they are excited to help sponsor the event. A show for all the students will be held during the school day with the community performance set February 28, 2019 at 6 p.m.
“We wanted the priced to be extremently affordable to help the community attend,” said Davis denoting that attendance to A New Stage Theatre event usually cost $25.
“This is a way to bring the community together and celebrate history,”said Haimes.
All touring productions will be performed by New Stage’s Professional Acting Company members.New Stage has a strong reputation for presenting quality performances and has been touring successfully to high school and middle schools since 1990. New Stage Theatre was chartered as a not-for-profit organization in 1965, producing its initial season in the winter/spring of 1966. Founded by Jane Reid-Petty with the assistance of the American National Theatre Academy and Actor’s Equity Association, dedication to professional excellence in theatre arts was part of the theatre’s original mission. New Stage’s education department was founded in 1989 and received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 1995 for its efforts to introduce tens of thousands of young Mississippians to live theatre.
Tickets may be purchased in advance from any member of the LHS Beta Club or may be purchased at the door. For more information or how to purchase group tickets, please contact Shane Davis at sdavis@louisville.k12.ms.us or Holly Haimes at hhaimes@louisville.k12.ms.us or the LHS school office at 662-773-3431.
