A wave of concern and disappointment swept through the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) community following news that its longstanding Black History Production, a cultural touchstone for over four decades, would no longer continue in its traditional form.
The decision was communicated through a letter by HSPVA principal Dr. Priscilla Rivas after rumors had already begun circulating among students and parents. This has stirred calls for transparency, inclusion, and preservation from both families and alumni.
The announcement provided significant changes to their school calendar starting in the 2025-2026 school year.
Here’s a breakdown of what it means:
- One All-School Musical in the Fall: Instead of having two major musicals, HSPVA will now produce only one “full-scale Broadway musical,” which will be presented in the fall.
- Reimagining Black History Month Celebration: The traditional February musical, which has often been a Black musical, will no longer be the primary way to celebrate Black History Month.
- Student-Led Black History Production: In its place, Black History Month will be honored through a new, student-led production as part of the school’s “Diversity Series.” A team of student leaders will curate this production, selected through an application process and supported by the Black Student Union and a faculty advisor.
- Multi-Disciplinary Black History Celebration: The new Black History production will be more inclusive of all six art areas (theatre, dance, vocal and instrumental music, visual art and creative writing). This aims to invite deeper participation from students across all departments and empower them to lead and express themselves.
- Increased Time for Other Priorities: Consolidating the musical to the fall frees up time in December, January, and February for other important academic and artistic priorities, such as college auditions, senior recitals, conferences and competitions.
- Continued Production of Black Musicals: The letter clarifies that the fall musical will still include a wide range of productions, including “beloved Black musicals like Dreamgirls, The Wiz and The Color Purple,” and that casting will remain inclusive.
The Black History Production has been far more than an annual school event.
“It’s not just a musical. It’s an essential expression of culture, identity and education,” said Jasmine Lynch, a parent of a junior visual arts student.
Lynch described how she learned of the cancellation through fellow parents before any official communication from school leadership. “I was confused. This production has been a tradition at the school. What changed? Why this production and not others?”
Her concern is rooted not just in the loss of a school tradition but in the broader implications of sidelining a cultural celebration that offers vital visibility to Black stories and voices. Lynch said that the production had historically involved students of all backgrounds, creating space for shared cultural understanding.
“In a time where Black history is under threat of being erased, this show gave our students and others a chance to learn and experience these stories firsthand,” Lynch said.
Denise Ward, founder and president of the HSPVA Black Alumni Network, shared a similar perspective. She noted that the decision came as a shock, especially given the lack of consultation with key stakeholders such as Black alumni, parent groups and the Black Student Union. “We were not invited into the conversation,” Ward explained. “There were vague reasons cited, student fatigue, sustainability concerns but no real data, no surveys, no inclusive dialogue.”
Ward also highlighted the roots of the Black History Production, which dates back to 1980 when Black students used a school-wide “interim” period to tell their own stories through performance.
“It started as a student-led initiative and grew into a flagship event for the entire school community. It became a safe space, a cultural milestone and for many, a source of pride,” Ward said.
What troubles many community members is not just the decision itself but how it was handled. Lynch pointed out that parents and students were informed after the fact, leaving them feeling excluded and unheard.
“Decisions that affect student experience, especially culturally significant ones, should include the voices of those most impacted,” she said. “If the table is too small, make it bigger.”
“The production mattered to Black students. And it mattered to everyone who watched it, learned from it and found community in it. That kind of legacy shouldn’t be erased. It should be celebrated.”
Jasmine Lynch, a parent of a junior visual arts student
Recently, a meeting between school leadership, concerned parents and advocates has spearheaded initiatives such as the “Legacy Worth Protecting” letter, which calls for collaboration rather than confrontation.
“What we want is partnership,” said Ward. “This is an opportunity for HSPVA to show its commitment to inclusivity, not just in theory, but in practice. Cultural programming deserves more than a placeholder. It deserves support, structure and a seat at the table.”
Elijah Primas, a senior and the only Black male in HSPVA’s upper-level theatre department, described the cancellation as disheartening.
“With an email being all that we got for a production that’s been a pillar of this community, it felt like we didn’t matter,” said Primas. “That show, it’s our Super Bowl. When I’m on that stage, I feel 10 feet tall.”
The production offered him a rare sense of belonging.
“Freshman year, I was the only Black guy in my class,” Primas said. “This was the one time I got to connect with people who looked like me, who got it.”
The decision also removes a key space for Black students to collaborate artistically across disciplines.
“In the theatre department alone, we can’t do an all-Black show, we don’t have the numbers,” Primas told the Defender. “The Black History Production was the only place we could all come together.”
At a recent meeting with administrators, Rivas said the decision was due to scheduling conflicts and stress concerns. Still, Primas said the community’s emotional reaction revealed just how significant the production is.
“I saw Black mothers crying, students shaking. It broke something in me,” he said. “This isn’t just a show, it’s our history.”
Though no immediate resolution came from the meeting, Rivas remains hopeful.
“It felt like the start of more conversations,” he said. “And I pray that’s what it leads to.”
