Having trained arts reporters who understand how to navigate writing reviews of culturally significant projects and events on campus is important.

Together, we would soon be enthralled in a tale that pondered what it meant to trade the youthful exuberance of the promising ingénue for the stress, upsets, and nuisance of a hostile work environment. In short, we would learn what it meant to be “pressed.”

This year, the Edison Theater was empty on the weekend of Washington University’s annual Black Anthology production, and audiences all over the world watched BA from their laptops.

The performance, “Essential(s),” truly embraced the gifts of the digital age and brought me fully into the story and performances of the evening. 

The production is “a cultural show that allows for a spotlight to be presented on issues that are of importance to Black students, using mediums of acting and dance to convey those themes,” show producer senior Sophia Kamanzi explained.

This year’s Black Anthology, “Masquerade,” combined masterful writing, electric performances and enthusiastic dances to create a show that was as entertaining as it was thought-provoking.

After celebrating their 30th show last year, Black Anthology will return this weekend, bringing “Masquerade” to the Edison Theatre.

Hundreds of people filled Graham Chapel for Washington University’s 33rd annual commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In addition to showing the stories of Black people through the ages, this year’s production of Black Anthology centered around how people choose what art to create.

Despite the publicity, no one outside of Black Anthology’s executive board knows what the show is about.