“Visions 2021”: The World May Have Stopped, but the Arts Never Did

  On Dec. 8, 2021, I sat and enjoyed the array of talent displayed at this year’s Magnet production of “Visions,” a spectacle the Krop community hasn’t seen since 2019.

     “Visions” has been showcased at Krop for over 15 years, with the purpose of allowing the Krop community to witness what the Magnet programs have to offer and the built up talent within them. It is showcased yearly in December and is a multi-strand performance that involves the Art, Band, Chorus, Theatre, Dance and Orchestra magnets.

     “The arts are important. It’s what drives this world,” Theatre teacher and “Visions” director Jamel Booth said. “Every single class in this school has importance, especially for the magnet students. This is the reason that they’re here. Their talent should be seen and be something that is cherished and appreciated, not looked over.”

    The night consisted of beautiful performances, ranging from energetic and whimsical to slower melancholic pieces. Chorus performed songs about holiday cheer, including “African Noel” and “My Favorite Things,” and unleashed vocals and chords the auditorium hadn’t heard in years.

     Theatre showcased some of the newer members, as seen in the “A Nightmare Before Christmas Pantomime,” where horror and the holidays come together to give an entertaining and charismatic performance. From “Mean Girls” pieces to monologues to scenes from “Aida,” (specifically the final performance of “Dance of the Robe”) everything left me transfixed and in awe of the Magnet Program once again.

     Harmonious jazz ensembles, solos and the triumphant Band magnet filled the auditorium with peace and left me with an appreciation of the immense talent that each individual student has.

     Art students’ works were displayed in an exhibition room led by Art teacher Julie Shakher, and Photography teacher Krystal Leal. This year, the exhibition room was a stark contrast to the PowerPoint presentation they’ve had years prior, and showcased the fulfilling talents of many diverse art forms, including pieces from junior Satya Richard, whose second experience in “Visions” was more sentimental.

     “This was my first ‘Visions’ show since freshman year,” Richard said. “Even though I have done exhibitions before, I felt like it was a bit more special since it was with other classmates in person.”

     While some students felt that the showcase was a new beginning following the time spent home last year, others saw it as a goodbye.

     “It hit me the last night of ‘Visions,’” senior Skii Hilaire said. “I realized that we’re seniors and this is our last time with ‘Visions,’ where everyone comes together and represents what they can do and what they practiced for.”

     Understanding the hard work and dedication that comes from each department is important. The performers, teachers and coordinators took an abundant amount of time and preparation when it came to the show, and it paid off. Magnet students are challenged with the task of balancing academics and the pressure of upcoming performances. Full days, almost 12 hours, are spent at Krop, especially within the weeks leading up to the show.

     “Our practice times kept on going up,” junior Maliki Reid said. “They went from 3 to 6 to 3 to 9:30 p.m. and just kept increasing, but it’s because we wanted to make sure that everything we presented was perfect, or really close to it.”

        Seeing new faces on stage and the familiar ones from years before is a testament to the blend and continued range of talent in the Krop Magnet program. Whether you were able to witness it in 2011 or 2021, there’s no question of the talent and dedication shown. “Visions 2021” is an emblematic notion that the arts were never put on hold during the pandemic, it was only waiting for a comeback.