J.W. Dodd Middle School students celebrated Black History Month with a one-act play titled "Candied Yams" written and directed by teacher Ms. Vashti N. Burke.
"Candied Yams" featured a cast of 16 actors, nine dancers and the school's Select Chorale and Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Sherill Spruill and Ms. Candice Mordhorst, respectively. The production team included producer, Mr. Renson Delos Santos, vocal director, Ms. Christina Cuevas and choreographer, Ms. Deniece Patterson. The production was a labor of love as everyone worked together to memorize their lines and perfect their choreography.
"Candied Yams" is a complex and beautiful story that is rooted in history and science. In Africa, yam cultivation began 11,000 years ago. Today, yams are still a primary agricultural commodity and a major crop. In West Africa, they are a major source of income and have high cultural value. They are used in fertility and marriage ceremonies, and a festival is held annually to celebrate its harvest.
When Africans were brought to the Americas, they made do with the indigenous sweet potato, often calling them yams, as they initially appeared similar in look and texture. They also used the sweet potato to create sumptuous culinary delights including candied yams, sweet potato pudding and the ever-important sweet potato pie.
Just as early African Americans held on to the traditions of their ancestors to survive the difficulties of their new world, the candied yam is the perfect example of triumph out of tragedy. The concept of "Candied Yams" was further reiterated when students were offered delicious samples of candied yams to try for themselves.
The tale of “Candied Yam” begins in middle school on the last day of February. The students in Mr. Barnes’ social studies class are anxious to start their weekend and end an uninspired week of substitute lessons. Their teacher has been assigned to jury duty and the students are alone in the classroom causing a raucous. Suddenly, a new substitute teacher named Mrs. Truth, named for Sojourner Truth, a black evangelist, abolitionist and activist, arrives to open their eyes and change their perspective about the contributions of Black people in America.
This stage production featured traditional spirituals and popular music. "Candied Yams,” a multi-sensory experience that challenges, educates and entertains, was brought to life by the talented cast, who were committed to bringing this important story to life.
The production included the following cast: Amaya Avant, Lidia Cabrera Andrade, Khloe Cason, Nyla Glacken, Grace Gomez, Jose Hercules Rivera, Morghan Karl, Amelia Lopez, Sulayne Martin, Victoria Merlos, Ashley Morales, Anabela Petris, Camila Rodriguez, Armaand Sodhi, Jacob Rodriguez and Gabrielle Williams. The dancers included Minerva Abreu, Yaira Cortes, Annabelle Durden, Arleth Estrada, Samira Guevara, Alison Gutierrez, Nadia Jones, Myjah Kanhai and Jasleen Ramos