Play about Parks spurs talk of tolerance between races
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer

CHRIS KELLY staff Dawn Meredith Smith, as Rosa Parks, and E. Talley II perform the play "Rosa's Ride" for pupils at the Ardena School, Howell, on Feb. 19. The play recounted the events that led to a boycott of the Montgomery, Ala., bus system by black Americans in 1955-56. For story, see page 15.

HOWELL - The entire student body of the Ardena School received a lesson in freedom, dignity and justice as they traveled on a journey back in time to learn about the life of Rosa Parks.

The recent presentation of "Rosa's Ride" was sponsored by the Ardena PTA.

Flying Ship Productions of Encore Performing Arts, a nonprofit performing arts agency, presents shows based on folklore, literature and historical figures, according to information provided by the company's Internet Web site.

According to teacher Dianne Senkeleski, Rosa Parks (1913-2005) was chosen as the main focus because the play corresponded with the students' current curriculum and because Parks was considered to be the mother of the civil rights movement.

The musical play told the story of Parks' upbringing, her courtship with her husband and the incident on Dec. 1, 1955, that sparked a 13-month boycott of the Montgomery, Ala., bus company.

On that date, Parks, who was a seamstress, refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. She was arrested and fined for violating a local ordinance. The ensuing boycott of the city's bus system by black citizens brought the issue of segregation to the attention of the nation.

Infused between the singing and acting were messages such as "One person cannot own another person," portrayals of how black voters' rights were infringed upon, and emphasis on the landmark 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kan., which found segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional.

At the end of the musical, a black and white puzzle that served as the backdrop throughout the entire performance was completed. The finished puzzle displayed a multicolored picture of the sun. The puzzle symbolized how race relations in the United States was and still is a work in progress.

Fourth-grader Stephen Palumbo, 10, said he enjoyed the play. He said the most important lesson he learned was that

"black and white people should be treated

equally."

Fifth-grader Hannah Giuffrida, 10, shared

Stephen's sentiment. According

to Hannah,

"Blacks and whites

should come together.

We shouldn't be separated.

The completed puzzle they showed at the end really symbolized that."

Performer Mike Jensen said he hopes the students learned that "one person can make a difference just by standing up for themselves. When you stand up for yourself, you are also standing up for others."

Actress Dawn Meredith Smith, who played Rosa Parks, said she hopes the message she sends to students is that it is "OK to stand up for what is right, and not conform."

Actor E. Talley II said he hoped the students learned that "they do not have to be a celebrity in order to do something good for their community."

In the end, the main message the performers wanted to send to the children was that race relations in the United States is still a work in progress and everyone must unite to make progress.

According to performer Kathy Brooks, "This play is about overcoming racial tension and discrimination. It shows that we still have work to do and progress to make. It is not over, and these things still exist."