Tony Awards: Florida Parkland shooting survivors deliver emotional performance of 'Seasons of Love'

Drama students from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas high school perform Seasons of Love at the Tony Awards
CBS News
Alexandra Richards11 June 2018

Survivors of the horrific Marjorie Stoneman Douglas high school shooting took to the stage at this year's Tony Awards to commemorate those who died in the massacre.

The high school drama department delivered an emotional performance of Seasons of Love from the hit musical Rent on Sunday.

A mesmerised audience cheered the young talent on as they performed under spotlights to an audience of millions.

The students received a standing ovation for the powerful performance.

Melody Herzfeld, drama teacher at the school received a Tony Award for excellence in theatre education from the Tonys and Carnegie Mellon University at the ceremony.

She hid alongside 65 of her students in her office for two hours when a mass shooter opened fire in their Florida school on February 14.

Since the Valentine’s Day massacre she has encouraged her students to express their emotions through theatre and music.

A week after the attack she directed her students in a performance of an original song called “Shine” at the CNN Town Hall.

The song was later released and all proceeds went to Stoneman Douglas families to support programs that provide healing through the arts.

Upon receiving her award, Ms Herzfeld said: “I remember on February 7th, sharing a circle with my beloved students, and encouraging them to be good to each other when times were trying, and to keep the family together," she said in her acceptance speech.

"I remember only a week later, on February 14th, a perfect day, where all these lessons in my life and in their short lives would be called upon to set into action ... We all have a common energy. We all want the same thing. We cannot deny it: To be heard, to tell our truth, to make a difference and to be loyally respected. We teach this every day in every arts class."

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