By Makiah Hiley
A decade after the Oakland School for the Arts (OSA) opened class enrollment it is putting on its first all-Black theater production, Every 28 hours. Directed and executive produced by OSA alumni, actress and theater teacher Tavia Percia, the show is a composition of original movement pieces, one-minute scenes, and spoken word pieces dedicated to the victims of police brutality like George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. The title, “Every 28 hours,” derives from the contested statistic that every 28 hours, a Black person is killed by police.
When OSA first opened its doors in 2002, more than 90% of the student population was people of color. Percia had attended the school during this time. She described that over 70% of kids were Black and 27% of the other students were from other P.O.C groups. “White kids were the minority here,” said Percia. It wasn’t until the school built a nationwide reputation for producing breakout stars like Kehlani and Zendaya Coleman that the school’s White population increased, so-much-so the school’s student population became predominantly White.
Every year OSA puts on three main stage productions: a play, a musical and a middle school production. There’ve been complaints from the Black demographic around the type of theater productions that would be showcased — white stories for white audiences. “The Black kids came to me saying they felt unrepresented. So, I did something about it,” Percia said.
Creating the all-Black show not only gives Black students the representation they deserve, it also creates a safe place where Black students can be themselves and form tight-knit bonds with others that look like them. Percia explained the main concept she wants the audience to take away is that Black students at OSA have a voice. Black stories are powerful, important and should be shared no matter the topic. Percia is proving OSA’s Black students can put on a damn good production even without support.
Production has faced many trials and tribulations. “The show was supposed to be a Black history production,” said Percia. “Due to not being able to find a space and COVID case risings, it had to be rescheduled.” There has also been controversy surrounding the production, with Percia having to fund the play with no help from administration, and the show’s heavy content possibly making white audiences feel uncomfortable. During OSA’s “Black history month assembly” the show had been pushed away by organizers. Despite this, Percia and students prevailed and ultimately received funding from the school. They have also found multiple spaces to perform.
Show dates are on Thursday, April 28 at 8 p.m., and Friday, April 29 at 6 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available on everytwentyeight.brownpapertickets.com. By supporting the show, OSA will use all proceeds to go towards funding for Black productions for years to come, which ensures minority students get the recognition they deserve.
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