Attending a Performance (+2 Pts) - Class of 2027

 

During my trip to New York City, I attended the 10-year anniversary performance of Hamilton. The musical reimagines the story of Alexander Hamilton through hip-hop, rap, and R&B, featuring a cast primarily composed of people of color. The performance was powerful and emotional, blending history with modern culture in a way that kept the audience fully engaged.

I was amazed by how the musical used contemporary music styles to make historical content exciting and accessible. Seeing the story told by such a diverse cast made me reflect on how representation changes how we connect with history and whose voices we consider part of the American story.

This experience connects closely to my coursework in African Diaspora and the World and American Government and History. In both classes, we’ve discussed how narratives of power, identity, and freedom are often told from limited perspectives—and how retelling those stories through new voices can challenge the way we understand history. Hamilton embodies this by centering Black and brown performers in the founding narrative of the United States, reminding audiences that America’s legacy is deeply tied to the contributions and struggles of the African diaspora.

It was inspiring to witness how art can educate, empower, and entertain while also encouraging critical thought about race, representation, and the meaning of freedom.

– Arianna Smith-Forte