Thursday, February 12, 2026Let it Shine: The American Civil Rights Movement
10 AM & 12 PM
This powerful production will introduce audiences to poignant events and notable names of the Civil Rights Movement. This acclaimed show focuses on the tumultuous years between 1955 and 1968 and shines a light on important milestone in our history, including: the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the SCLC, Brown v. Board of Education, Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and more come to life in this powerful tale. Through stories and song, Let It Shine shows the high price that was paid by those who fought for equal rights during this turbulent time.
Running Time: 40-45 minutes, plus talkback!
Appropriate for: Grades 3 – Adult
Price: Title 1 Schools: $12/student, with 1 free chaperone ticket for every 10 students;
All others: $15/student, with 1 free chaperone ticket for every 10 students.
STUDY GUIDE
CURRICULUM STANDARDS
Let it Shine Curriculum Standards
VPA curriculum standards
1. Performing / Presenting / Producing
These standards apply to how you are presenting the live performance, focusing on the impactful portrayal of the Civil Rights Movement through song and story.
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1.3.12.A.1: Perform selected scenes or acts that demonstrate an understanding of character development, theme, and emotion, especially in the context of historical figures such as Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
(The performance will focus on the historical and emotional impact of key events in the Civil Rights Movement, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Brown v. Board of Education decision.) -
1.3.12.B.1: Engage in performance critique, demonstrating knowledge of theatrical production elements such as staging, choreography, and costume choices, and their impact on the audience’s understanding of the historical themes presented.
(Students will reflect on how the staging, music, and design choices contribute to the understanding of the Civil Rights Movement and its historical context.)
2. Responding
These standards focus on how students will engage with the performance intellectually and emotionally after attending the show.
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1.4.12.A.1: Analyze and evaluate dramatic performances using specific criteria, such as acting, direction, design, and how the key events and figures of the Civil Rights Movement are portrayed.
(Students will reflect on how the performance effectively conveys the themes of equality and justice through the stories of the people involved in the Civil Rights Movement.) -
1.4.12.B.1: Critique the live performance, considering how the director’s vision, acting, and design choices work together to illuminate the emotional and historical impact of the Civil Rights Movement.
(This applies to analyzing the show’s portrayal of key figures and events, such as Rosa Parks’ courage or Dr. King’s leadership.)
3. Connecting
These standards help students connect the performance to broader cultural and historical contexts, particularly the impact of the Civil Rights Movement on society.
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1.2.12.A.1: Analyze how historical context, cultural values, and aesthetic choices influence the artistic representation of the Civil Rights Movement.
(The performance provides an opportunity to discuss the broader context of the 1955–1968 period, helping students understand how the Civil Rights Movement shaped modern culture.) -
1.2.12.B.1: Connect the themes of justice, equality, and resistance presented in the performance to contemporary issues related to civil rights and social justice.
(Students will connect the lessons of the Civil Rights Movement to modern-day social justice movements and issues of equality.)