“Change it Up II: The Look of Love” is a production filled with poets, emcees and actors blending spoken word styles. Each element is centered on one theme: love.
“Generally we do plays,” said Kimberly Harding, a theatre professor and director of the production. “About four or five years ago, I wanted to explore spoken word and poetry.”
Singing sisters Melissa Hicks, a second-year theatre student, and Kim Hicks, a first-year theatre student, will perform Ingrid Michaelson’s “The Way I Am” in “Change it Up II: The Look of Love.”
The girls are from Newport Richey, Fla., and they have been performing for most of their lives.
“Singing is what we do,” said Melissa. “We sang two songs for our auditions.”
“I think the audience will be pleasantly surprised with how much talent is on FAMU’s campus,” said Kim.
Kim is also cast in the Essential Theatre’s upcoming play “Ain’ Misbehavin,'” directed by Harry Brice.
Cast members range from students to faculty, with faculty members like O.S. Lamar participating.
“When I heard about the show, I knew it was something I would want to get into,” said second-year transfer and political science student T.J. Legacy-Cole from Orlando, Fla. “Someone in the audience will be able to relate to at least one thing.”
The rehearsal process includes exercises where the cast members build up and pass energy to one another to clear their minds for the performance.
The production has been moved to the acting studio, severely limiting space for attendees.
Shakevia Garland-Stone, a third-year theatre performance and early childhood education student from Miami. agreed, but said the subject is one that audience members of all ages will be able to relate to.
“The audience should expect chills running down their spines, only because most of the stuff we are saying is what most of us go through,” said Garland-Stone.