By Marilyn Jozwik
The recent months of pandemic shutdowns and other changes have affected many people, but probably none more than students, especially high school seniors on the cusp of graduation.
Senior year is filled with so much hope and promise, the end of one chapter, the beginning of another. Last school year, many memories typically made during senior year did not happen for many students.
The second season of Amplify -- First Stage's BIPOC Short Play Series – takes a look at a group of teens grappling with the pandemic in “How to Actually Graduate in a Virtual World.” The 38-minute show, written by Nikkole Salter and directed by Samantha Montgomery, features five high school seniors sharing their feelings about their upcoming graduation and how to make a special day out of the virtual experience.
First Stage’s show is also virtual and free to view at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJTSDnxCROA through Dec. 3.
Each of the quintet in the show has a different view based on his or her perspective. And all realize in the end that collaborating is hard, that people are more important than things, and that good can come from terrible times like a pandemic.
TT, the valedictorian (Maya O’Day Biddle), opens the discussion with her thoughts about Milwaukee. She loves her city, but feels the rest of the world doesn’t share her feelings. And she doesn’t want to go unnoticed, like she sometimes feels her city is. “I am somebody, I’m not invisible,” she says. She talks about rappers and especially Milwaukee rapper Webster X – who wrote the tunes for the show. “If I shout out my city, nobody hears.”
TT is finding it hard to understand the pandemic that is upending so many high school plans – prom, field trips, sports, yearbook and, especially, graduation. “I felt I was being punished,” she says.
Her friend Jordan (Jonae Thomas), who’s grandmother is sick with Covid, pushes back at TT’s complaints about a virtual graduation. “I don’t need to hear my name called,” she says. Jordan bristles at the pettiness she feels her classmates are displaying about their lack of an in-person graduation ceremony.
Friends Kenya (Christian Hughes), Shannon (Abby Wallace) and Raynell (Nahjee Robinson) join the conversation and brainstorm about doing a music video for graduation, but as the excitement builds Jordan throws cold water on the plans. “It’s a waste of time,” she says, adding that nobody is going to care about the video. Jordan has more on her mind than a music video.
Without Jordan – the choreographer of the group – the others struggle with ideas to make their final days of high school special.
But when Jordan needs the comfort of her friends, they all come together in support. And their new plans for the final days of school are a huge success, as is TT’s virtual valedictory address!
TT is the centerpiece of the show. She’s smart, articulate and focused—but also myopic as she’s not able, at first, to see beyond her own feelings of loss. Biddle embodies all of TT’s qualities and handles the role, especially the inspiring closing speech, well. Thomas as Jordan is strong-willed, firm in her convictions. She beautifully nails her delivery of an emotional eulogy.
The high school friends of the duo, played by Hughes, Robinson and Wallace, filter in and join the lively discussion with richly distinctive personas. The show ends with a music and dance celebration with lots of youthful energy and hope.
The show provides a window into the ups and downs of high school teens navigating a worldwide pandemic with creativity, compassion and optimism.