BLM quotes and lyrics incorporated into this year’s play, To Kill a Mockingbird

Lukas Zywicki, Writer

In the upcoming drama performance, the theme and story is based off the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. But, there is a twist to it. In this version of the play there are quotes from Macklemore songs and Black Lives Matter quotes being incorporated into it.

“To Kill a Mockingbird was chosen because the freshman read it,” Director Lori Thompson said. “I think the story comes alive to them when they see it, and don’t just read it. It also brings up issues that are big in today’s world, like racism.”

Along with the play, modern day quotes from the Black Lives Matter campaign and Macklemore lyrics are being added to the script.

“We are also showing things like that young man that was shot for wearing a hoodie,” Thompson said. “Macklemore is white so it might help connect the different races. We might add in a montage of clips of people like Martin Luther King.”

Adding in the modern quotes is not only an aspect that Thompson is emphasizing. It is also important for the actors to understand the quotes and decide whether they like the idea or not.

“I think it is really cool because it brings a modernistic factor into it,” senior Chapin Kartsounes said. “It brings life to the fact that racism is still a big deal,”

The quotes that are being added to the play could be considered controversial and could possibly anger groups of people or bring up a negative influence.

“The quotes are very controversial but at the same time, they are mild,” Kartsounes said. “We are going to be quoting [the song] ‘White Privilege II’ in the play. It will bring light to the important issues.”

The quotes that are being added are from modern day or the last 5 years. But the actual play and novel took place over 56 years ago.

“The storyline will stay the same, it will still be in the 60’s just with some modern quotes added in,” Kartsounes said. “They do not say anything that will make the time questionable.”

Adding quotes from the Black Lives Matter campaign and also some Macklemore lyrics are playing a big role in this year’s play To Kill a Mockingbird may cause some trouble this year But, Thompson, and the actors in the play, feels that the risk is worth every single quote.