When she heard the Augusta Junior Players were doing a play about Ruby Bridges, Maddison Dewitt knew she had to audition.
“I like how Ruby Bridges was the first Black girl to go to an all-White school. I think it’s really powerful,” said Maddison, a 9-year-old C.T. Walker Traditional Magnet School student, who plays the role of Bridges in “Ruby: The Ruby Bridges Story,” which will be staged Feb. 7-8.
Maddison first learned about Bridges at school and wanted to know even more about her. Making the role more special for her is sharing the stage with her mother, Tiffany Priteo, who plays Lucille, Ruby’s mother.
“It means so much to me. I’m inspired by my daughter,” said Priteo, who is making her theatrical debut. She’s been in front of audiences as a singer but has never been in a play.
She calls being on stage with her daughter a full circle type of moment. Priteo assists Maddison with some of the singing in the show. But the theater is Maddison’s area of expertise, Priteo said, and Maddison has helped her mom with lines.
To prepare for the role of Ruby, Maddison watched the 1998 film “Ruby Bridges” on Disney+.
“It helped me a lot. It helped me understand her personality,” she said.
Playing the role of Ruby’s teacher is Betty Walpert, who retired from teaching drama at John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School in spring 2024.
“Working with these kids has really been wonderful,” she said. “When you’re around kids 24/7 your whole life and all of a sudden you’re not anymore, there’s been a little bit of a void.”
She’s also getting the chance to work with Roy Lewis, also a retired high school drama teacher, who is the Junior Players’ artistic director and is directing the show.
“Working with Roy is really amazing,” she said.
She admires his visionary approach to the production.
Each February, Lewis brings a Junior Players’ production to the stage which spotlights Black history month.
One of the things which stood out to Lewis about Bridges was the fact that she prayed for those who threatened her when she attended that school as a 6-year-old.
“First and foremost is the innocence of a 6-year-old girl who changed the world through innocence and faith,” he said.
Lewis will bring in a multi-media element. He’s found footage related to the 1970 Augusta riots and will play it during the show to add another layer to the performance.
“Ruby: The Ruby Bridges Story” will be performed at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 and at 3 and 7 p.m., Feb. 8 at the Kroc Center. For tickets, go here.
A special Walk With Ruby will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 25 beginning at the Lucy Craft Laney High School stadium parking lot.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years and is a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
I love this so much! So glad we can learn and appreciate history through art!