This tear-jerking and deeply relatable play left students eagerly wanting more. A
Southern Thing was a stunning production written and directed by rising senior Isaiah
Clay. The play followed the journey of Kelsey, portrayed by Vibra Hopkins, an incoming
freshman navigating her first year at Southern University. Alongside her is Ashley,
played by Lakeya Rubin, Kelsey’s roommate, and DeVon, portrayed by Riggous Alluctt,
the love interest caught between both women. The play seamlessly incorporated familiar
campus experiences—from the classic moment of dropping a cup in the café and
everyone clapping, to late-night “Pretty Wednesdays” and after-parties.
While the production highlighted the fun and vibrant aspects of freshman year, it also
delved into more vulnerable, emotional moments. In one powerful scene, Kelsey delivers
a heart-wrenching monologue about feeling lost, isolated, and betrayed by her “friend”
and roommate, Ashley. The play also gives Ashley’s perspective, showing how she, too,
felt alone and betrayed but expressed her pain by lashing out and mistreating others.
Future Kelsey, played by senior Jodeci Ashford, guided younger Kelsey through these
difficult moments, helping her find strength and resilience, culminating in a powerful
stand for herself in the final scene.
Jodeci Ashford reflected on her role, sharing, “To be Future Kelsey is something every
young woman at an HBCU should experience. They say if you can survive Southern
University as a young lady, you can survive life—and I felt that.”
The play made a lasting impact on the entire student body, from freshmen to seniors, who
filled the theater each night the production went on. A Southern Thing captured a
universal experience that all Southern University students could relate to. Freshman
Amori Hagans commented, “As a freshman watching this play, I could relate a lot. It
made me realize the importance of being yourself, knowing who you are, and loving
yourself.” Even upperclassman could relate, such as Junior, Empress Dabney recalls “As
an upperclassman it was beautiful to see how Kelsey struggles happened to all of us, it
was a great representation.” The play alone speaks volumes to student’s freshman and
juniors alike, the emotion it evoked tells how much work was truly put into this
production.
It’s inspiring to witness the creative vision of a fellow student and the powerful effect this
well-thought-out production had on the student body. Isaiah Clay, reflecting on the
process, shared, “To finally bring this two-year-in-the-making story to life is surreal, and
it’s so much more rewarding than I imagined.” The production truly brought the Southern
University community together, and the overwhelming support from the student body has
been nothing short of incredible.
