In late February, the Alabama State Council on the Arts employed award winning Livingston, Alabama songwriter Jacky Jack White to work with students at Robert C. Hatch High School in Uniontown, Alabama. Their mission was to construct an original musical play using the techniques of “arts integration.” The deadline was May 16.
Diana Green of the State Council explains that White and Hatch teacher Darren Ramalho were to “integrate” elements of drama, music, speech communication, reading, writing, grammar, history, geography, civics, and social studies in the construction of the play. The sophomores and juniors decided to call the musical “Hatch of Courage.” This is a highly fictionalized account of school namesake Robert C. Hatch.
Perry County Board of Education’s Dr. Marcia Smiley, and Hatch High School’s principal Dr. Leslie Ford signed off on the project. The play and songs were finished April 30th. A read through, filming, and recording will take place over the next few days. The work will be published by Bob White Music.
Donovan Williams who plays the lead role of Hatch informs, “We had no idea who Robert C. Hatch was. Nobody knew.” Then out of the proverbial blue, City Administrator Emefa Butler introduced them to educator/historian Albert Nelson. Mr. Nelson was acquainted with Coretta Scott King’s parents who helped support Lincoln Normal School which was the only black high school in the area. He also owned books and pictures from this area in the 1920’s where the musical is set. Almost at the same time, Mr. Ramalho had a friend who sent an archival biography of Robert C. Hatch.
Hatch turned out to be a pioneer in not only black education but state and national education. He was one of the first presidents of the American Teachers Association. “After we found those treasures, we were off and galloping,” says White.
White and Ramalho, at first glance didn’t seem to be natural candidates to work with the all African American students, or really with each other considering their disparate backgrounds. Ramalho is a Portuguese American recruited from California and the Teach for America program assisting economically challenged communities. This is his fifth year teaching high school English in Uniontown.
Jacky Jack White over the last thirty-five years has made his reputation as a country music songwriter/guitarist/singer. White says, “I’ve never been too dogmatic about genres of music. Like Muddy Waters said, ‘there’s just good and better.’ Plus, Darren and I have one thing in common. We love these kids. They’re good kids. We have an opportunity to introduce a few new methods and ideas to them. And believe me, they’ve taught us plenty, too.”
Ammon Jordan, a student athlete who plays the brother of Hatch, shared these thoughts. “I’d never played a musical instrument. I’d always liked the guitar. Mr. White brought in keyboards, dobros, ukuleles, bass guitars, maracas, drums, electric and acoustic guitars, harmonicas, and even a xylophone. It was really crazy. But guess what, we played a song or two. I just bought a guitar yesterday. I’m ready to get good on that thing.”
Quincy Walker has a comical role and he seems to fit it perfectly. “It’s fun to be somebody else for a little while. I guess that’s what this acting stuff is all about.”
Nikkyah Jones plays the real-life legendary principal of Lincoln Normal School, Miss Mary Elizabeth Phillips who served there from the late 1890’s to 1928.
“Those kids didn’t have our technology. But I have a feeling they had a whole lot of fun. They stayed outside more.”
Kierra Johnson plays Bernice Scott the mother of Coretta. She has an excellent singing voice as the real Bernice did as well.
“I’m planning to be an obstetrician. However, singing and now acting and writing songs really seems like something I will always enjoy. No matter what I choose as a profession.”
The students at Robert C. Hatch High School now understand how it feels to create a work of art as a team. They also understand there are new and different methods of learning. And it can even be fun.
