Broadway Actors Visit Powel Elementary - When The Arts and Young Minds Collide

Don’t let anybody, anybody, convince you this is the way the world is and therefore must be. It must be the way it ought to be.” - Tony Morrison  

These words rang true on December 1st, when I had the privilege of sitting in the audience as stars graced the stage of Samuel Powel Elementary school's library. Tony-nominated actress Myra Lucretia Taylor, a member of the original cast of the Broadway musical Tina, actor Carlton Terrence Taylor, who's currently touring and performing in the Tina Turner Musical on Broadway, and famed theater director Karin Coonrad were all in attendance dropping gems. Coonrad, a professor from the Yale School of Drama whose directorial work has been seen and heard around the world, previously worked with Philadelphia’s School District. So impressed by her interactions with the students, she arranged for the Broadway actors to pay Ms. Octavia McBride’s third-grade class a visit. The goal was to inspire young minds by exposing them to actors of color, while creating a space for discourse.

Carlton Terrence Taylor, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Karin Coonrad and Philadelphia Tribune Photographer, Abdul R. Sulayman

But before any discussions began, Philadelphia Tribune’s photographer, Abdul R. Sulayman, talked about his 60-year career taking photos. He brought us back to his childhood when he was paid $3 to take a picture and how much he cherished his earnings. Sulayman also referenced the documentary “A Choice of Weapons”, which chronicles Gordon Parks, the first black photographer to cover the government. Lastly, he made it a point to allow students, including Amelia, the class’ photographer, and videographer, to hold his camera. As we spoke later that day, he delved more into his passion for showing youngsters the power of what they hold in their hands. 

Abdul R. Sulayman

The fourth graders were then ushered into the library to receive books they contributed poems to for the Whitman Project. These were the scholars Coonrad collaborated with last year. She led the pupils into an impromptu call-and-response reading of their poem, “This is My City.” It was magical and nearly brought me to tears. Ms. McBride highlighted the significance of the piece, explaining it was written in response to the students’ peers who lived in the townhomes on 40th and Market who were losing their houses. Empathy teaches us that if our neighbors are in crisis, so are we. “This is My City” is a cry that we all belong here. 

4th Graders, Karin Coonrad, Abdul R. Sulayman, and Amelia

3rd Grade Teacher, Octavia McBride, Karin Coonrad, Myra Lucretia Taylor, and Amelia

After the reading was over, the actors spoke about their inspirations and experiences in the field, while allowing room for questions. The class was not void of curiosity. 

“What was the hardest thing you did on stage? 

“Do you ever get stage fright?” 

“How old were you when you started to act?” 

These were just a few inquiries the children posed during the event. As a parent, it was beyond heartwarming to see how engaged these third graders were and how invested they became with each response. Carlton, who was first exposed to the theatre at around six years old, shared his experience of having to improvise during a play when the pianist was nowhere to be found and the background music was still playing. He had to quickly run to the piano pretending to play the keys so the audience wouldn’t notice no one was there. Every night is different while on tour and the lesson is to be quick on your feet because the show must go on! The actor also admitted he does get stage fright. “I feel like that’s really a part of being alive”, he said. It lets you know you’re breathing and you’re operating in the space.” His aunt, and esteemed actress, Myra Lucretia Taylor, chimed in letting the scholars know “another word for stage fright is excitement.” How you see a situation impacts your response. Perspective is everything.

Lastly, one of the teachers requested a song, after Carlton told us his favorite musical is the original Dreamgirls. The classically trained singer serenaded the audience with a snippet from the musical, as we hung softly on every note.

This world can be hard, daunting, and oftentimes uncertain, but it can also be beautiful. Let us continue exposing our children to the beauty that is well within their reach. Like Toni Morrison said: “Don’t let anybody, anybody, convince you this is the way the world is and therefore must be. It must be the way it ought to be.”