Girls Trip Features Talents of Bolivar Central High School’s Music Department
An idea that blossomed while Bolivar Central High School (BCHS) band director William Griggs was sitting at a table with family at a Longhorn Steakhouse came alive on stage for two evenings when the production of Girls Trip was presented Thursday and Saturday, December 7 and 9, 2023, at the school.
“While my in-laws were eating on steak and potatoes, and everything else, I was writing a play,” said Griggs who shared with a laugh that he is vegan. “What I imagined was what it would be like for our color guard to go on a girl’s trip.”
Girls Trip – A Christmas play production by the BCHS music department told the story of the BCHS color guard girls, Alexis Dotson (played Alexis), Jasmine Horton (played Jasmine), Hope Marcell (played Hope), and Ca’Maiyah Tucker (played Ca’Maiyah), and their adventures on a girls getaway to New York City.
William Griggs, a 2015 BCHS graduate returned to his alma mater in the fall of 2023 as the band director. One of the goals Griggs had upon his arrival and in his new position was to make a positive impact on the students at BCHS as some of his former teachers did for him.
More than 40 students from the music department participated in the production. The full cast, along with the color guard, included the BCHS choir, band, and percussion students. Although the band’s participation was as background providing the transitions from scene to scene, it partnered with the choir playing familiar Christmas favorites that included “Carol of the Bells” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”. Student Reece McMahan took to the stage as a vocal and clarinet soloist for “Mary Did You Know”. The BCHS drumline also had its time on the stage and the color guard did perform as a squad. Griggs who has a degree in music education and has performed professionally for several years, also performed a couple of solos on the piano.
The students started working on the Girls Trip production in October. Griggs noted the color guard put in extra time to perfect the routines and acting to present a great show for their family, friends, and the community. Band and choir members Aiden Byrd (played Airline Security), Avery King (played Pilot Voice and Announcer), and Jayden Wilson (played Caroler Leader), stepped into acting roles. Other scenes from the production included dance and lip sync performances by the color guard, and a shoutout tribute to BCHS student Kemia McClellan (#Kemialivin), who passed away in October 2023. It was performed to Kemia’s favorite song, “Can We Talk”, by Tevin Campbell.
Student choir members are Kristine Anderson, Tanisha Anderson, Kendall Baker, Alexandria Doyle, Daniel Draper, Erica Draper, Michael Draper, Daniel Fletcher, Samarria Jones, Alexis Joy, Avery King, Je’an-Christian Mayhue, Tyricus McKinnie, Nevaeh McNeal, LaKeith Patton, Abigail Rivera, Julio Rivera, Paris Smith, Jayden Wilson, and Ja’India Woods.
Student percussion members are Jonathan Banks, Courtney Boyle, Dalton Forsythe, Jaydan Gander, Azavian Harris, Benjamin Hazelwood, Brysten Hill, Mareece Mullins, and Allannah Geanes.
Student band members are John Baker, Jonathan Banks, Caden Bethuram, Addisyn Blanchard, Matthew Boatwright, Diego Chavira, Courtney Clark, Charvariez Crisp, Darnell Ducoing, Nicholas George,, Terrianna McBride, Reece McMahan, Ajay Sain, A’Keia Shorter, and Tamaiya Smith.
Behind the scenes of Girls Trip are William Griggs – author, director, and producer; Alisa Sain and Alunna Sain – audio visual team; and Michelle Boatwright – stage director.
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