USM students performing songs, social issues

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Americans have seen various social issues transpire in our country this year.

Members from the Southern Miss School of Music found an artistic way to help convey dialogue.

Director of Showbiz Harmony, Dr. Michael Lopinto said, "We realized that so many were happening in our world. There were murders, there were so many legislation-type things that were being passed that were affecting rights of many of our community, shootings: both of police and by police. And you can react to that in one of two ways. You can get very angry about it and I think that anger can be channeled into something that we're trying to do. Something that's a little bit more positive."

The production team of Mary Poppins and students from different backgrounds and ethnicities will perform songs that will tackle social issues at this year's Showbiz.

"I think audiences are going to really enjoy this as it both informs and touches them and hopefully inspires them to go out and try to make this a more harmonious place to be. And we have to figure out ways to make this work or it's going to be a really rough place for us to live in," said Lopinto.

The show will take place October 13 at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center.

You can purchase tickets from the Southern Miss Ticket Office.