skip to nav skip to content

Positively Milwaukee: Giving Back

  • Print

**UPDATE: This show has been extended to the weekend of March 5.  More info on the CAPITA Productions website!**

MILWAUKEE - To see the latest production inside North Division High School's auditorium, you would think it's a professional show.

Student Tyara Bennett gushes, "This experience itself has been amazing."

Frank Gatson, Jr. is directing the production. He explains, "I don't want the kids to get in a Ford Pinto, I want them to get in a Mercedes Benz, with the production aspect."

Frank knows a little bit about great production. The North Division alum has choreographed and directed for superstars like Beyonce, Mariah Carey, and Michael Jackson.

Now he's bringing that experience back to his hometown. Sam Guyton is a 5th grader performing in the show.

"It's really nice to work with people that are already there, and have made it, cuz then that makes me feel like I can make it too," Guyton says.

Frank is directing this year's production of 'We Are The Drum'--an annual celebration of African American history. This year's show also features a section called 'We Are The World'--a tribute to the king of pop.

"That's why Michael Jackson was so great--he was humble, he was a perfectionist, he was a hard worker," Frank explains.

Frank is passing on those values to these young performers, and students like Deandre Sabatino are getting the message.

"You have to be good, can't be fooling around backstage, or in the wings--you have to be on time," Sabatino urges.

Frank's getting a little help from his famous friends--like choreographer and dancer Chris Grant--who came all the way from Florida to help out.

"I've been dancing since I was 2 years old, looking up to Michael--Moonwalker, Thriller--and I just stayed with it," Grant says.

Frank hopes young kids in Milwaukee stay with it, and that the community comes out to support them. He says matter-of-factly, "I think they should come out because we're honoring a great person named Michael Jackson, and also we're honoring the great kids of Milwaukee. Period."

The show is presented by CAPITA Productions, Inc. It runs Friday and Saturday night at 7:30, and Sunday afternoon at 4:30 at North Division High School. It's located at 1011 W. Center Street.

Next Article in Positively Milwaukee: Two Men Who Give Back are Positively Milwaukee

0 COMMENTS

ADD A COMMENT

Storm Team 4

    advertisement

    advertisement

    TODAY'S TMJ4