Intern Spotlight: THE LYNN AND TONY DEERING PRODUCTION INTERN JACK DEE AND Digital Media Fellow Jasmine “JaiBee” Baxter
Jack Dee, the Lynn and Tony Deering Production Intern, and Jasmine “JaiBee” Baxter, the Digital Media Fellow, have been hard at work helping to create and organize The Ground on Which We Stand. This project asked 100 children of the Baltimore Chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc. to delve into black history and interpret the ideas of iconic leaders and intellectuals. Through text, poetry, song, and dance, these children took a sold-out audience through the history of black excellence.
Learn more about Jasmine and Jack’s perspective on the process:
Last Sunday, 92 Baltimore children from pre- K to 12th grade graced the stage of the Pearlstone Theater in The Ground on Which We Stand: An Exploration of Black Excellence. In partnership with the Baltimore Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., this performance was directed by our supervisor, Associate Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif.
Starting in November, we began meeting with all grade groups of the chapter to learn about their talents and strengths, and to hear what they hoped this performance would achieve. Stories, poems, songs, and text began to form from these discussions, and soon after the narrative arc of the piece began to take shape.
After weeks of rehearsal, numerous late nights, and mountains of snacks later, the hour and a half show finally came together and was performed to a full house.
The Ground on Which We Stand provided a unique opportunity to expand and grow as individuals and artists—whether by creating the visual narrative through videos (Jasmine), or taking care of all of the details associated with producing a show (Jack), or spending countless Sunday afternoons working directly with the students (both). We are so proud of all the children of Jack & Jill, Inc. that performed and could not be more honored to be a part of Baltimore Center Stage as it continues to be a source of positive change for Baltimore and the world.