Celebrating 20 years since its inception in 1989, Black Anthology is holding its annual performance tonight and tomorrow.

As the group celebrates this milestone, it is focusing on how the show has evolved throughout its history.

In its current form, the production is one solo show with a continuous plotline. In its earlier incarnations, the show was composed of several skits.

Cast members will not share the secret of what the content of this year’s show will be. According to sophomore DeMarco Mitchener, it is a tradition to not reveal the plotline before the opening performance.

The issues that Black Anthology presents are meant to be universal. They generally put an emphasis on the black community. Previous Black Anthology themes have included hip-hop and homosexuality.

According to Mitchener, the current format of Black Anthology is an effective way to convey the performance’s message.

“It is more about getting our point across. It is not all about flashing lights. It is just one thing that sets us apart,” Mitchener said.

The format of Black Anthology deviates from other cultural performances on campus such as Diwali, Lunar New Year Festival and Carnaval, which are all largely based on dance and music.

According to freshman Vaishnavi Hariprasad, a Diwali participant, including dance in a cultural production allows more of an opportunity for people to take part in it.

“Personally, I would rather take part in a dance than a play.” Hariprasad said, “But I think it definitely sets it apart form the other cultural performances that happen over the year.”

Although Hariprasad said she is less likely to audition for a production without dance, this factor will not stop her from seeing Black Anthology.

“I don’t think it makes it more or less likely that I will see it,” Hariprasad said.

Some students are not as aware of Black Anthology as they are of other campus cultural performances.

“I have heard the name tossed around, but I don’t really know what the group does,” Hariprasad said.

According to junior Heather Skanes, director of Black Anthology, one of the group’s main objectives is to make the Washington University community more aware of black culture.

“It deserves a lot more respect than it is given. It needs to be shared in the same limelight as the others,” Mitchener said.

Another objective of Black Anthology is to open peoples’ eyes to controversial issues.

“It is important to be able to talk about things that we would not normally talk about. Things that are taboo in the African American culture,” Skanes said.

Auditions for this year’s performance were held in October, and the cast has been rehearsing one to five days each week since November. Students can see the culmination of this work this weekend at Edison Theatre.

“It’s a window into the African American community,” Mitchener said. “We are making sure that this is an accepting place for everyone.”