Westerville South Theatre Troupe 513 is bringing “Akeelah and the Bee” to the stage as part of a Black Voices Project to celebrate and showcase plays written by Black playwrights and feature diverse casts.
WSHS Theatre Director Matt Wolfe received a $500 grant in October through The Bette Marschall Memorial Education Fund of The Columbus Foundation to cover theatrical rights and production materials.
“We wanted a show that focuses on Black excellence and achievement in contrast to the stories of Black trauma that are often popularly portrayed on the stage,” he said. “We also wanted a story that audiences of all ages could enjoy and learn from.”
“Akeelah and the Bee,” a 2006 film written and directed by Doug Atchison, tells the story of a South Los Angeles middle-schooler who overcomes obstacles to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 at the school, 303 S. Otterbein Ave. Tickets can be purchased at the door at any cost.