Seventh Grade Stages a Scene

Mandy Hayes’ seventh grade English class students participated in an activity called “Stage a Scene” as they continued studying “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry.

The play, set in the south side of Chicago in 1959, follows the Younger family as they attempt to improve their financial circumstances with an insurance payout following the death of their father, and deals with matters of housing discrimination, racism, and assimilation. 

“A Raisin in the Sun” was the first play written by a Black woman to be produced on Broadway, as well as the first with a black director, Lloyd Richards. 21st century publications such as The Independent and Time Out have listed it among the best plays ever written.

For the activity, “Stage the Scene,” students were tasked with creating a photo of a moment in the play, while being mindful of things like the set, props, blocking, facial expressions, and body language.