At Simeon Career Academy, a school long celebrated for its basketball prowess, the corridors echoed with a different kind of rhythm this year as students rehearsed August Wilson’s "The Piano Lesson". The production marked the first full‑length theatrical performance the academy had mounted in decades, turning a tradition of courts into a stage for storytelling.
From the Court to the Stage
Deonte Haywood, a 14‑year‑old freshman, entered the drama class shy about his height and uncertain whether he would fit among peers whose identities were tied to the basketball court. Yet the role of a Southern preacher offered him a voice that resonated beyond the gymnasium, allowing him to channel his energy into a character grappling with legacy and choice.
The play was made possible by Principal Tamarah Ellis and drama teacher David Hossler, who rallied support and secured a $10,000 grant from the Educational Theatre Foundation. Their initiative bucked the trend highlighted by Ingenuity Chicago, which found that only 37 of Chicago’s 115 public high schools offered theatrical productions in the previous year.
Justice Ford, an award‑winning actress, directed the production, viewing it as a chance to give back to the community that had nurtured her own artistic roots. The cast, many of whom had never set foot on a stage, practiced daily for months, even enlisting their mothers to help memorize lines at home. Semaj Jackson, a senior, described the experience as both challenging and rewarding, while parent Rio Barfield, who once watched "A Raisin in the Sun" in high school, praised the effort as a vital investment in the arts.
When the curtain rose, parents and teachers alike were struck by the students’ confidence and the depth of the narrative. The performance, rich with themes of heritage and decision‑making, not only entertained but also underscored the importance of arts education in a district where basketball often dominates the spotlight.