Carson students bring 'Yes, Virginia' to stage

About three dozen students at Carson School brought the beloved “Yes, Virginia” musical to life on the stage Dec. 20 at Seton High School.

The play is based on the story of 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon, who wrote a letter to the New York Sun newspaper in 1897, asking whether Santa Claus exists.

In celebration of the fifth anniversary of its holiday “Believe” campaign, Macy’s provided a grant to underwrite the production. Two Cincinnati Public schools, Carson School and Midway School, were among 100 schools across the country to receive the grant. Macy’s made the script and score for “Yes, Virginia The Musical” available royalty-free to the schools and created a free, digital toolkit on yesvirginiamusical.com.

The children in the play were treated to the whole experience of a professional production—from full makeup (provided by Macy’s makeup artists) to exceptional costuming. Macy’s Facilities and Visual team designed, built and decorated the entire stage set. Staff members of FamiliesFORWARD’s After-School Program, as well as Carson teachers, parents and Price Hill community supporters, guided the children through practice, rehearsal and the play itself.

Students involved in the production: Tamika Acoff, Michara Allen, Ryan Atkins, Ja’dah Brown, Keaira Brown, Paige Brown, Paul Brown, Delandrea Chenault, Nicoya Craig, Nicolette Estes, Lee Asia Foster, Richard Gallagher, Blake Griffis, Brooke Griffis, Makayla Hammons, Amaya Harris, Alisha Hart, Kamiya Hubbard, Randall Johnson, James Martin, Iyana Mincey, Kristina Montgomery, Leon Norman, Brianna Reynolds, Zion Reynolds, Denetria Robinson, Keoina Spencer, Camiya Starr, Gianna Twitty, Jada Waites, Kyria Walker, Julia Waltner, Miavanni Williams and Moriah Williams.

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— Story and photos by Bill Ferguson Jr.