Frank Black Middle School in Houston, Texas put on a performance of the musical Hairspray starring 8th grade students. The performance followed the plot of the 2002 film adaptation, with Meredith Jacoby as Tracy Turnblad and Evan Neff as Corny Collins. Though performed by middle schoolers, the students knew their lines and choreography well and the lighting, props, and set were effectively designed. The performance consisted of songs like "Good Morning Baltimore" and "You Can't Stop the Beat" that highlighted dances from the 1960s era depicted in the story. The musical conveyed themes of racial integration during the Civil Rights movement.

1. Frank Black Middle
School Production:
Hairspray
By: Ashlynne Boles

2. When and where?
O At Frank Black Middle School, Houston Texas
O Preformed by 8th graders

3. Description
O This performance of hairspray was based on
the New Line Cinema Film written and
Directed by John Waters.
O The main performers are:
O Tracy Turnblad – Meredith Jacoby
O Corny Collins- Evan Neff
O Link Larkin- Adam Jhaver

4. Description continued
O The work was created at Frank Black Middle School in
Houston Texas.
O The performance flowed from beginning to end just like
the movie Hairspray. Although middle schoolers were
playing the part, I felt like they practiced extremely
hard to know their lines and choreography.
O The lighting that was used correlated with each scene.
I felt that the props and set was well put together and
the students knew how to use them properly. There
were no instruments but the stereo system was used
for sound effects and music.

6. Analysis
O The performance was set up by musical numbers
O Good Morning Baltimore
O The Nicest Kids In Town
O Mama, I’m A Big Girl Now
O I Can Hear The Bells
O The Madison
O It Takes Two
O Welcome To The Sixties
O Run And Tell That
O The Big Dollhouse
O Without Love
O I Know Where I’ve Been
O Hairspray
O Cooties
O You Can’t Stop The Beat

7. Analysis Continued
O Throughout the musical there was repetition
of some songs. They focused on dance
moves that were created in the sixties
because that is the time period of the
musical.
O There was a big racial influence in this piece
because of the time period. Blacks weren't
allowed on television and the musical is
about a revolution so that there would be no
separation.

9. Interpretation
O The performance as a whole made me feel
joyous that such young students have found
an outlet and are genuinely good
performers. The work as it was written
made me realize that things have changed
from the sixties and segregation isn't what it
used to be. It is really an eye opening piece
that makes you think throughout the whole
musical.

11. Evaluation
O The musical was well put together. They did have
some technology issues and I think that was
their biggest set back. Success wise I didn’t see
a student mess up and their lines were flawless.
Even their dance moves were perfect and they
stayed in character the whole time.
O I’ve seen high school and college level musicals
that were better but only because they had more
resources and better equipment. For 8th graders
they did outstanding.

12. Critiquing
O If other people were to watch this specific
musical, I would say don’t compare it to a
college level musical because it will be different.
I would say to watch the choreography and see
how well it matches with the movie because it is
very accurate.
O This musical was not original it was based off of
the movie and musical that was already made.
It was however my first time seeing younger
actors play these big roles which was
outstanding.