By John E. Morgan

COLLINSVILLE, Ala.—Two significant things took place in Collinsville last Thursday night. One, the city hosted a performance of The Integration of Tuskegee High School by the Mosaic Theatre Company of Auburn University. Bringing in talent of that caliber to perform for the public is an honor and accomplishment for any small town. Two, and perhaps of even greater significance, the performance took place on the recently restored stage of the historic Cricket Theatre in downtown Collinsville.  Thursday night’s production was the first major event held at the venue in decades.

The performance was a reading/recital of first-hand historical recollections from Tuskegee students, both black and white, who were there to experience the integration of the school in 1963. The students’ oral histories described the state of race relations before integration and then expressed the tensions felt by all as the world watched the conflict over integration. George Wallace and John and Robert Kennedy were mentioned, but the spotlight was on the  accounts of those who lived those days of integration at Tuskegee.

Tessa Carr, artistic Director of Mosaic Theatre, said that the students were involved because they care deeply about the issues presented.  This is Carr’s third year as director.  She said, “None of the students get course credit for Mosaic.  They do it because the love it and they love the subject.  They get a very small stipend to help with their expenses, but there is no other pay.”

It was obvious that the audience of more than 150 appreciated the group’s efforts.  It was also obvious that many in attendance came to celebrate the unofficial reopening of the Cricket Theatre.  The Collinsville Historical Association has invested thousands of hours to save the old theatre.  There is still much to do before the theatre officially reopens.  But on this night, there were only smiles of pride at how far they have come.  And smiles of happy memories of the past in the Cricket.