SJHHS’s drama program is currently preparing for their newest show: Diversity on Display. The performance will include a variety of monologues, songs, and scenes written by people of color, and performed by students of color.

After being in contact with student activist group CUSD Against Racism, drama director Cambria Graff decided to implement the idea of a diversity showcase. The showcase is being put on solely by the BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) community at SJHHS involved in theater, including behind the scenes technicians. 

Sophomore Leilani Obana, who’s both Vietnamese and Filipino, will be doing a scene about Vietnamese immigration to America during the Vietnam War from the show Vietgone along with sophomore classmate Zoe Hendon. It tells the story of the challenges Vietnamese immigrants faced and many obstacles they overcame. 

“This showcase is also really important to me because I think our scene…really helps break specifically Asian stereotypes…I feel as though when stereotypes in general are reinforced, especially racial ones, it kind of feels as though that’s all certain groups are seen as,” said Obana.

Especially in the media, minorities are often underrepresented. This showcase aims to display the diversity in the drama program, and to hear the voices of those traditionally unheard.

“I think a lot of the times people of color who are artists or people of color who do a lot of things really they’re just really underrepresented and really under appreciated I feel, so I think it’s really important to have this opportunity to really shine a light on people of color who have created such beautiful pieces and share them with others because they don’t often get that recognition that they deserve,” said Obana.

As many minorities struggle with acceptance in themselves, Diversity on Display is a great way for the BIPOC community to share their stories and showcase their talents.

“It’s a cool opportunity to really share how proud we are of our backgrounds and our cultures because I know at least for me it’s something I’ve struggled with and I know a lot of other minorities who have struggled with that as well,” said Obana.

Diversity on Display will virtually run for about 40 minutes. The show is pre-recorded, and will be available for streaming on April 30th. Tickets can be purchased from the SJHHS drama website.