By Kelli Sharpe
(Jackson, MS) – Jackson State University’s MADDRAMA Performance Troupe lit up the stage with an unforgettable performance in the Big Apple. MADDRAMA traveled to New York to be a part of the captivating “Mississippi to Manhattan: New Dance Works” by JSU alumnus Jaylen Taylor. The renowned performance troupe, under the direction of Artistic Director Dr. Mark Henderson, performed in Brooklyn, Saturday, January 31.
“For MADDRAMA to have been invited to share their skills on the New York stage is a testament to their talent and the far-reaching impact that MADDRAMA has, not just locally but throughout this country,” said Henderson.
“We had students with us who experienced not only their first visit to New York, but also their first time even on an airplane, so this is more than just a performance for them. It was an experience that will change their lives and at the same time let the world see again what Jackson State has to offer.”
The appearance was a homecoming for JSU sophomore and New York native Tianna Hughes. The journalism major said it was a special moment for her to perform in front of her family and friends.
“Being in New York and performing in a city where I’ve performed since middle school and seeing my growth was great.” Hughes added
“My family was there for support, and they are all proud of me.”
“Mississippi to Manhattan” was an artistic showcase where the audience was asked to step into the story and witness the movement, memory and migration from the hospitality state to Manhattan for one night, one journey and many voices.
Fellow MADDRAMA member Cody Powell, a theatre major from East St. Louis, IL, said the entire troupe was proud to represent JSU in the “Big Apple.”
“I feel like it’s very important to represent our school,” Powell proudly stated. “We have talent, we have seasoning, and we had something to bring from Mississippi to Manhattan.”
Ahead of their performance, MADDRAMA students were able to soak in the New York City experience. They had the unique opportunity to visit the Tamron Hall Show, where the Emmy-award-winning host enthusiastically gave Jackson State University a shout-out, to celebrate the talented performers and their meaningful work.
MADDRAMA is under the JSU Department of Speech Communication and Theatre and was founded in 1998 by Henderson. MADDRAMA, an acronym for “Making A Difference Doing Respectable And Meaningful Art,” is committed to addressing social issues and highlighting African American history through compelling performances. The troupe is a proud part of the JSU Department of Speech Communication and Theatre, continuing its mission to inspire change through art.