For the first time in Westside history, the high school’s musical will be featuring two black leads. Tatenda Chivero and Brandon McMiller will be the leads in Westside’s “Sister Act”, which will be running from Oct. 25-28.

Chivero said she is very excited to be making an impact on Westside history and hopes to see a variety of backgrounds being represented in years to come.

“It feels great [to be the first black lead in Westside High School Musical], because I’m kind of making history, and it’s also surprising that there hasn’t been an African American lead before, but I think that this musical is changing some things and hopefully there will be more diversity in lead characters in the future,” Chivero said.

Chivero and McMiller both believe that their race and how it is portrayed has had a great impact on the show.

“[My race] helps to shape the show in the fact that it emphasizes how different the main character’s side of the story is from the nuns,” Chivero said. “You could say that she is this very independent, very wayward character, in contrast to the mostly white nuns who were in the convent.”

The African American culture is also a large factor in the show and is represented throughout.

“I feel like my race is definitely represented throughout this show in many ways,” McMiller said. “I feel like it is more of a cultural thing, the African American culture is very significant and has its own stamp, and I feel like this show not only represents that and showcases that through one character, but showcases that as an individual no matter where you come from or what background you have, it’s important to be able to embrace other people’s cultures and other people’s backgrounds, and anything else that you see, while opening up to a new environment.”

Both actors agree that the overall theme of the show is constantly displaying diversity, acceptance, and love. According to Chivero, “Sister Act” will be a very eye-opening musical. McMiller strongly encourages everyone to come to the show.

“It would be a great opportunity for them to embrace what the show has to offer and not only support the theatre program, but support the arts in general,” McMiller said.