For the second straight year, a group of teens from the Augusta area will represent the state of Georgia at the Southeastern Theatre Conference.
“We won the Georgia Theatre Conference in the community division against other adult theater groups,” said Roy Lewis, the director of the Augusta Junior Theatre production of “Sistas.” A send-off show will be performed March 12. The conference s March 13-17 in Mobile, Ala.
“This is a great opportunity for these kids to display their talent and their passion. We’re excited about it. For us to go back a second year in a row speaks volumes to the talent we have in Augusta,” he said.
Teagan Johnson, a North Augusta High School student who plays Roberta in “Sistas” was part of the ensemble in “Sister Act,” the show that went to the region conference last year, where it was the runner up.
She said she’s excited about the opportunity to go back, but she’s a little nervous as well since she has a larger part in the small cast.
“‘Sistas’ is the story of African American women told through popular music, from ‘God Bless’ the Child’ to Destiny’s Child. After a matriarch’s death, the women in the family clean Grandma’s attic and find love and old memories packed away. In the process, they sing hit tunes that trace the history of black women, from the trials of the 1930s through the girl groups of the 60s to the empowerment of the 90s,” according to the synopsis.
The play delves into many issues that are still prevalent today, Lewis said.
“We are still addressing some of the same issues – racial tensions, social justice issues, civil rights’ issues, women’s rights,” he said.
After studying the character and performing the role several times of the past few months, Johnson said there are things she admires about Roberta.
“Roberta has gone through a lot of personal trauma. So much happens to her,” she said. “But she stands up for herself.”
That quality inspires Johnson.
“I feel liked I need to learn how to do that more,” she said.
The send-off performance will be at 7 p.m. March 12 at the Kroc Center. For tickets, go here.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
Support local journalism: Local stories on local people, organizations and events. That’s the focus of Augusta Good News, a member of the Georgia Press Association. And you don’t have to go through a paywall to find these stories. An independent voice in Augusta, Ga., Augusta Good News is not funded by a billionaire or a large corporation; it doesn’t have celebrity reporters who have agents. It’s local people who are invested in the community and want to tell its stories. You can support local journalism and help us expand our coverage by becoming a supporter. Through Ko-Fi, you can give once or set up a monthly gift. Click here to learn more. Thank you!
