Myha Harris
Staff Writer/MC301
An organization that links education and artistry. MADDRAMA.
An organization whose presence has impacted the lives of young people since 1998. MADDRAMA.
An organization created to embrace black culture, celebrate black culture and honor black culture through performing arts. MADDRAMA.
Since its formation in 1998 to its official charter day in 2004 on the campus of Jackson State University, MADDRAMA has grown to be a global force.
With over 20 years of performing to the masses, whether on campus, on a cruise, or at the mayor’s State of the City Address, the performance troupe continues to let their light shine.
This week, the organization is not only celebrating their success since its formation but also joining together through a weeklong fellowship with members and other students.
On the first day of MADRRAMA Week, MD Voices made their grand appearance as a newly established choir within the organization, led by vocal director Jayla Lomax.
Friends and family gathered in the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium on a Sunday afternoon to hear the choir sing multiple gospel songs such as: “When All God’s Children Get Together”, “Let The Praise Begin”, and ‘You Are The Living Word.”
MADDRAMA President, Khalyia Ervin, said the purpose of having a week dedicated to the organization is to spend time with current members and encourage students to join all while doing what they love.
“We want to continue showing what we do. We love to educate and to entertain, and this week is full of just that,” said Ervin.
The week of activities include a gospel concert, an exclusive members-only Family Feud game night, movie night for all students, skate night at Funtime Skateland, a MADDRAMA showcase entitled New Beginnings and to top the week off, a social gathering will be held for everyone to come.
Tyler Huckleberry, a freshman marketing and finance major from Indianapolis, Ind., said skate night is a great way to have fun and meet with members of the organization.
“I think you can never do wrong with a skating party. It’s easy to promote and with a great playlist it can easily be a fun event. He continued, “It’s important to really bring events like this to campus considering it’s not always accessible to others and it helps to continue an overall university message of togetherness and inclusiveness,” said Huckleberry.
Shani Dove, a freshman health care administration major from Meridian, Miss., said she is looking forward to presenting the showcase Thursday night [Jan. 30] in the McCoy Auditorium.
“I can’t wait for people to see “New Beginnings” because rather than feeding into the stereotypical roles of black males, the play will focus on educating the student body about the roles of black males,” said Dove.
Andreanna Wright, a freshman biology major from Madison, Wis., explained what students can expect if interested in joining the organization.
“People initially don’t know what MADDRAMA is about. They are talented students around the campus, who may want an organization that they can be a part of to express their talent, and we are that organization,” said Wright.
She continued, ”I want my peers to see the impact MADDRAMA has and for those who are interested in joining, I want them to be a part of our great organization because after all the hard work and performances, we are like a huge family that thrives on seeing each other succeed.”
Members urge students who have free time to come out to one or more of the events that MADDRAMA will be hosting this week.
New Beginnings is set to take place Thursday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. Admission is $7.
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