GRAMBLING, LA – Grambling State University’s Orchesis Dance Company will perform in a show celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Acts of 1965. Extensions of Excellence Performing Arts, Inc. will present Dance His High Praise 8 at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at the Strand Theatre in Shreveport, under the direction of Dianne Maroney-Grigsby, an instructor of theatre arts.
The theme for this spiritual ballet is “The 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act- We Dance and Sing to Selma.” The theme was greatly inspired by the movie “Selma,” based on the 1965 marches from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., during the Civil Rights Movement. The performance contains many musical numbers from the movie, including the Oscar-winning song “Glory” by singer-songwriter John Legend and rapper Common.
The annual dance recital will also include performances by the Christian Dance Center under the direction of Terry Jackson, the Louisiana Dance Theatre under the direction of Carol Anglin and the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church Chancel Choir directed by Hattie Wade.
Vincent Williams, the producer of Dance His High Praise 8, said it was important to teach young people about the history of the Voting Rights Act and Selma, because the events are usually only taught during Black History Month in February.
“All around America, everyone celebrated the march to Selma. A lot of our young people don’t even know their own history, because it’s not really being taught anymore. Our mission statement is to educate young people and expose them to quality theatre, so we are hoping they learn from this performance,” Williams said.
During the performance, one promising high school senior who will study dance at Grambling will be awarded the Helen Horton Teacher Education and Performing Arts Scholarship. This $2,000 scholarship is awarded in memory of Helen Horton, who is Williams’ mother. Horton graduated from Grambling in 1959 and was an educator for 30 years in Shreveport. Strand Theatre is located at 619 Louisiana Avenue in Shreveport. Admission is $20. To purchase tickets, please call the Strand Theatre Box Office at 318-226-8555.
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