About Bridges
Drawing on lessons and insight from the book “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria” the story follows students as they navigate their racial identities, address issues of race at their suburban school, and challenge a music education system in need of change. Original music and story written and performed by high school students from 8 Philly area schools. See videos of our writing collaborations here. Interactive performances engage diverse high school audiences in important conversations around race, community, and love.
Auditions are open…Join Our Team!
We’re looking for high school musicians, singers, rappers, actors and dancers to join our team for an intensive summer program. During the program students will dive deeply into the characters from the Bridges musical, prepare music, staging, choreography and improv with their characters. Our mission is to connect diverse youth from city and suburban schools so you will expand your network and build friendships with kids from different communities around the Philadelphia region.
The program will run from July 7th-August 8th and will tentatively meet Monday-Friday from 1-5.
Most rehearsals will take place at KIPP Dubois Charter at 5070 Parkside Ave.
Students will be paid $15/hour plus transportation (if necessary).
Selected students must agree to doing a minimum of 15 school performances during the ‘25-’26 school year. Most performances will be on weekday mornings and you will go back to your school after the performance. Students will be paid $15/hour plus transportation for each performance (generally $100 total per performance).
Performances will be interactive and students will engage in conversations with the audience IN CHARACTER so improv skills are a key component. Students will be trained during the summer program to improvise in character and to engage in difficult conversations around race, identity, community, and love.
Interested students should send a sample video on IG @PHLSoundExchange or email to [email protected]. Priority given to students who can demonstrate singing, rapping, acting, and dancing abilities.
On his first day as a the new kid senior year at Tracer high, Tahmir quickly realizes that life in a predominantly White suburban school is going to be a challenge. His shadow Alexa is one of the few other Black students at the school and is bullied by some of the other Black girls for “acting too White.” Mr. Thompson, the music teacher tries to tell Tahmir he’s not qualified to attend the college music audition trip but Tahmir wills his way onto the bus anyway. He convinces Alexa that while they’re in West Philly they should go to Level Up so that she can learn what a loving, supportive Black community looks like. She is moved by the experience and ultimately rides for Tahmir when the college rep tries to deny him the opportunity to audition. Together the kids learn to love and accept themselves and use their talents to shine a light on a broken music education system.
Alexa: The straight A student who gets bullied by the other Black kids at the school for “acting too white.”
Tahmir: The new kid from the city who uses his talent to challenge the status quo.
Clarissa Thompson/Receptionist (Double Cast): Alexa’s best friend and Mr. Thompson’s daughter who learns how to use her voice in conversations around race.
Tiffany/Shanae (Double Cast): School bully (act 1) / Level Up Dance Star (act 2)
Mrs. Irving / Nisi / Level Up Dancer (Double Cast): Tahmir’s Grandmother/School Bully (act 1) / Dancer (Act 2)
Mr. Thompson/Philly U Rep (Double Cast): The biased music teacher / college rep.
Jamal/Unc (Double Cast): Black kid flirting with Clarissa (act 1): Founder of Level Up (act 2)
Theo & Emmett: Horn players