Art is Not a Mirror: How Theater Can Build a More Just Future

Aamirah has been involved in theater since she was six years old. Performing felt natural. One early memory stands out: She was at Potomac Mills Mall in Northern Virginia with her mom and came across one of those “spontaneous mall experiences,” the kind where someone might try to sell perfume or run a public demo. This time, it was a modeling agency inviting kids and families to walk a mini runway. Aamirah held her mom’s hand and walked the runway, completely enjoying the moment.

But even before that, the desire to perform had already taken root. She was creating dances and putting on little shows for her parents long before any official stage. As Aamirah got more involved in school theater programs and local community productions, her passion for performing deepened.

“Growing up, I had ambitions to be someone who could act in movies, design high fashion garments, sing at concerts, model for magazines, and have my art in galleries, all at the same time,” she recalls. “I am grateful that I never lost the drive to be successful and pursue the things I’m passionate about. However, what I didn’t recognize as a child—but understand now—is that not everyone has access to the same opportunities and resources.”

Aamirah McDonald is a JMU college student and a member of the Valley Scholars Program, which helps local, talented students become the first in their families to earn their college degree. The central focus of the program is to foster and encourage a desire to learn, while also building skills that will help students achieve the academic success necessary for college attendance. Aamirah describes Valley Scholars as a “golden opportunity” to visit the James Madison University campus as a young person and learn more about its opportunities and activities.

Aamirah has performed in a variety of theatrical productions over the years, beginning with early roles that left a lasting impact. One of her first pivotal experiences was in Who Is Viola Swamp? From the Miss Nelson book series, where she played the character Victoria, a role she remembers as especially fun and formative. She also performed in a production inspired by Hamlet. In high school, she appeared in Fiddler on the Roof.

In high school, Aamirah’s days rarely ended with the final bell. She played baritone in the band, sang in the choir, ran track and field, and did both sideline and competition cheer. “I was definitely staying after school every day,” she recalls with a laugh.

That sense of purpose and balance followed her to James Madison University, where she continues to wear many hats. Aamirah is double majoring in Theatre—with a concentration in Performance and Theatre Education—and in Independent Scholars, where she designed her own major titled Creative Social Justice and Art Advocacy. She also minors in African, African American, and Diaspora (AAAD) Studies, further grounding her work in creativity, identity, culture, and activism.

Her involvement in theater has only grown over the years, with numerous additional performances during her time in college. “At first, I wasn’t aware of how amazing the theater program was here.” JMU’s Theatre BA program is nationally recognized for its well-rounded structure, encouraging students to explore all aspects of theater. One foundational course helps students develop skills in multiple areas, including costume design, scenic design, lighting, and management.

For Aamirah’s first show at JMU, she signed up to be the sound board operator for The Humans, a spooky fall production. It was her first technical role, and not only did she enjoy it, but others quickly recognized her aptitude for it, encouraging her to pursue sound design.

That encouragement sparked a journey into design and tech. Aamirah went on to design sound for a studio show called Games We Play, co-sound design the mainstage production of (Anon)ymous and serve as assistant stage manager for Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, a fast-paced, unconventional show. These hands-on experiences offered her deep insight into the art of theater.

Though she had started in performance, she realized she was gravitating more toward design and tech roles, which led to a period of reflection. She questioned whether she still wanted to perform. To reconnect with that side of herself, Aamirah enrolled in a solo performance class. The class was a little daunting, but exhilarating. Students were responsible for every element of their one-person shows: writing, directing, sound, and design. The experience taught her valuable lessons in creative autonomy and self-advocacy, reinforcing the idea that artists are their own “enterprises” after graduation.

Over time, Aamirah developed a strong interest in film. During high school, she primarily focused on acting, but once she got to college, she expanded her repertoire and involvement, taking on roles in sound design, directing, and performing. These experiences have deepened her appreciation for the craft, and she’s come to truly love the film industry. She worked as a sound mixer, producer, and extra in two student films, Empire Dirt and Agent Coffee, both of which went on to be selected for the New York Short Film Festival and the Lia Off First Time Filmmakers Festival, respectively.

With funding from a summer federal Pell Grant, she was able to participate in the JMU in New York Program. This six-credit, four-week intensive film boot camp offers students the chance to spend three weeks in the Big Apple. Students choose two out of three course options and collaborate in groups to write, direct, shoot, and edit a short narrative film. Prior to departure, they attend a required lighting and cinematography masterclass with a professional cinematographer. They also participate in rigorous screenplay workshops.

“It was like a crash course, with screenwriting, learning how to film, and learning how to direct,” Aamirah remembers. “It was lots of fun. That’s the dream right there.”

Soon after, Aamirah auditioned for Silent Sky and was cast as the understudy for the lead role of Henrietta. She also assistant-directed the popular play. Currently, Aamirah is performing in a production called [Re]Written, which evolved from a collaborative class in the fall into a full-length production. This show, similar in spirit to solo performance but ensemble-driven, features a large cast of students. After months of development, the show is now heading to the main stage.

For her self-designed Independent Scholars major, she has intentionally built an academic pathway around electives that align with her artistic and activist interests. She has taken courses such as Global Black Feminist Politics, taught by the inspiring Dr. Jamie Swift, a professor she previously studied with in an AAAD course. Additionally, she enrolled in Race, Class, and Justice, where she deepened her understanding of systemic inequalities. Her larger goal is to merge this academic foundation with creative disciplines like theater, film, and music using the arts as tools for social justice. Currently, in a media performance course, she’s been exploring how being behind or in front of a camera (or on and off stage) offers opportunities to advocate for herself and others who feel misrepresented or misunderstood through their work.

Aamirah feels that her journey has often been a subconscious one, guided by the choices she makes about what to create, what to engage in, and what to surround herself with. “The values that my mom instilled in me, and the kinship between my sister and me, kept me grounded through all the things I was doing,” Aamirah explains. She first learned about the Independent Scholars program through a friend already involved in the major and immediately saw it as an incredible opportunity.

As part of the Valley Scholars program, she’s also had the chance to volunteer in the community, including assisting with citizenship classes in Harrisonburg. It is an experience that she’s found deeply rewarding. Through this work and personal reflection, Aamirah has remained mindful of the broader world beyond campus. She is aware of how easy it can be to become insulated within the university environment. Rooted in the values of her family, culture, and community, Aamirah stays deeply connected to what matters most. She is committed to volunteer work that reflects her passions and creates meaningful change.

During her first two semesters at JMU, Aamirah participated in the Make Your Mark on Madison program. She is an active member of the BIPOC Board within the School of Theatre and Dance, where she has served as Secretary, then Vice President, and now leads as President. She is also on the board of Alpha Psi Omega, the service theater fraternity, and became a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

“I’ve had strong examples in my life of perseverance that have led me to want to instill that in myself and share it with others. Even though there was a lot going on, my mom always encouraged me to keep going, and I really cherish that, not just in our relationship, but in how I’ve learned to support myself.”

Aamirah has taken part in a wide range of experiences at JMU, embracing the university’s openness to exploration and personal growth. One memorable example came during her freshman year when she applied to join the Tiger Rescue Program for Alternative Fall Break. The trip took her to North Carolina, where she joined a group of fellow JMU students to volunteer in a completely unfamiliar environment. Not naturally a camper, she fully committed to the experience, pushing herself to try something new.

Aamirah’s advice to prospective students is to try everything and not let fear be a deterrent. She believes that being afraid of something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. In fact, it often means that it is worth pursuing. Even if no one else has done it before, you can be the one to take that first step. You might inspire others to follow. Aamirah also encourages students to lean on their support systems when things feel overwhelming and to embrace the unknown nature of their journey. It’s okay not to have it all figured out.

For Aamirah, the Independent Scholars program has brought her joy, especially because it allowed her to more fully use the time she has at JMU. “With interdisciplinary study, it’s almost inevitable that there’s something we’re all deeply interested in. And that often intersects with something else. For example, take theater. I think of the Brechtian quote: ‘Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it.’ Theater, likewise, isn’t just a reflection of us; it’s also about how we choose to build up or dismantle the world around us.”

In her view, all JMU students have the power to build something entirely new for themselves. “Anyone can do it,” she says, noting that many people are already engaging in interdisciplinary work without even realizing it. That’s why she encourages students to be intentional about charting a course that’s uniquely their own. Rather than taking electives without direction, she believes in pursuing interests with purpose and actively seeking them out instead of waiting for them to appear.

Aamirah’s plans for what comes next are ambitious. She’s considering relocating to New York or Atlanta to further explore film. She is attracted to renowned institutions like Tyler Perry Studios. Graduate school is also on her radar, as she hopes to build on her existing film experience through advanced studies in directing and production. Aamirah is also continuing to develop her voice as a creator through playwriting and podcasting, and by seeking new ways to share the stories that uplift people.