♪ ♪ "The Cool and Strong": song begins ♪ ♪ The cool and the strong, ♪ ♪ the really really cool and strong.

♪ ♪ The cool and the strong, ♪ ♪ the really really cool and strong.

♪ ♪ Cool in school, your strong all day long.

♪ ♪ You're smart all around, basically you're on your game.

♪ ♪ The cool and the strong, the really really ♪ ♪ cool and strong.

♪ ♪ The cool and the strong, let's be smart learners ♪ ♪ all day long.

♪ (music fades) <Magic Strong> I can't do this.

<Dr.

Maxie Strong> Oh, no, you don't.

We're already late for the first day, and as principal, I have to set a good example for the other students.

You know that, right?

<Joy> Hi, Dr. Strong.

<Dr.

Strong> Hi, Joy.

<Joy> It's going to be a really great day, today.

<Dr.

Strong> It is, Joy.

I'll see you later.

<Joy> Okay bye.

<Dr.

Strong> What's up?

Lay it on me.

Because the whole hour ride here, you kept saying I can take care of myself.

I know what's going on.

Just be real with me.

Remember?

<Magic> Yeah.

I said it and I meant it.

Okay, so what do you think is going on with you?

<Magic> My dad is in jail.

My mom's about to go to rehab place.

And now you.

My Aunt that I don't even know has to take care of me.

<Dr.

Strong> Okay, That's only part of the story big man.

Yeah.

The adults in your life have things to work on, me included, but what about you?

Oh, you think, Nothing?

Okay, well, let me break it down to you and keep it real with you since I'm your new guardian.

Magic, you are a fifth grader reading on a third grade level.

We have to get you reading on your level.

Hey, you.

You're a smart kid, okay?

And I believe in you.

Now it's time for you to believe in yourself.

<Magic Strong> Where's my pack at?

You know the kids out there that feel me.

Adults are a trip sometimes, They mean they mean well, but some of us kids have it rough.

I know I'm smart, my grades just don't show it, but is it all my fault this is my fourth school in two years.

Say it with me, Noooo.

<Dr.

Strong> Magic.

Magic.

Come on.

♪ (School bell rings) <Officer> Good morning.

<Dr.

Strong> Good morning.

♪ <Magic> A, A, A.

Shoot.

I can't do this.

Maybe I do need to be in a lower grade.

<Dr.

Strong> Hey...no worries.

Right!

You can do this too.

<Mrs.

Hill> Dr. Strong, Dr. Strong.

There you are.

(heavy breathing) <Dr.

Strong> Goodness Mrs. Hill, what's wrong?

I just took the twins to their new small group class.

Something's up.

That teacher you've hired is he from Mars?

<Dr.

Strong> Wait, What?

<Mrs.

Hill> You need to see what I'm talking about.

(quick footsteps) <Dr.

Strong> Wait!

In my office!

Magic grab your bag.

<Janitor: Mr. Jackson> Rex Lemon, stop playing.

I told you before you left for summer break to come back to school focused.

<Rex Lemon> Reva, Reva over here.

<Reva Lemon> Stop yelling at my brother.

<Mr.

Jackson> Or what?

<Reva Lemon> Or, her!

<Dr.

Strong> Reva, calm down.

<Reva> Janitor Jackson is bullying us.

<Dr.

Strong> Well, you're too strong to be bullied and why aren't you in class?

<All> Cause of that!

<Magic> I wouldn't go to class in there.

<Mr.

Jackson> I wouldn't either, he's been posted up in my old space since 6 a.m. doing all sorts of weird stuff.

We'll need to call the fire department in a minute.

I could've been a better teacher than him.

♪ eerie music ♪ (Slam) (panting) <Magic> Is that my name Magic?

<Reva> Is that my name Reva?

<Rex> Is that my name, Rex?

(slam) <Rex> I know you're not scared?

<Reva> No but I'm smart too.

That's why I'm backing up.

<Rex> Great idea.

<Magic> This is my class.

<Dr.

Strong> Yes.

<Magic> Wow.

<Dr.

Strong>A smaller group settings should help you learn, but get back.

<Dr.

Strong> Will?

Will, open up!

<Mr.

Will Gray> One second.

(clapping) <Dr.

Strong> No, now.

(door slams) <Magic> Hey, let me in, <Dr.

Strong> Okay, talk to me.

<Mr.

Gray> I can't do this.

Those are real students out there, and they're failing, and I've never taught before.

How am I supposed to help them?

And then my room is not coming out, right?

<Dr.

Strong> No, no.

You decorated this room like a dream.

I mean, who would have known this used to be our janitor's space, right?

And how did you do all this in just a couple hours.

<Mr.

Gray> Do all of what?

Nothing has come together like I wanted it.

<Dr.

Strong> Okay.

I don't know what else you're trying to do, Will.

This is a classroom.

It's not a circus.

It looks fine.

<Mr.

Gray> Well, then let me share with you my vision.

<Dr.

Strong> Okay!

I didn't ask, but okay.

<Mr.

Gray> No, no, no, no.

I'm serious.

I'm serious.

Students need to learn in a magical place.

They need to be taken away to someplace new so that they can open their minds to learn.

<Dr.

Strong> That's why I got you here.

And that's what all great educators are for, to treat their students as they treat themselves and to have empathy during their dire situations and help them rise above it.

Right?

Come on, Will.

I mean, Mr. Gray.

You got this.

<Mr.

Gray> I don't think you understand what I'm trying to do here.

This.

This.

This is not for me.

<Dr.

Strong> Okay.

Okay.

How about this?

Just try today.

Just today.

<Mr.

Gray> Today.

Just today.

(door slams) <Mr.

Gray> Hey, hey, hey.

I'm Mr. Gray.

Come on in.

Have a seat.

Have a seat.

Have a seat.

Have a seat.

<Rex> You're funny looking, <Reva> You're funny looking, Rex.

<Rex> I know you are but what am I?

<Reva> I know you are but what am I?

<Rex> I know you are but what am I?

<Reva> I know you are but what am I?...

<Mr.

Gray> Well, I'm a teacher and I'm ready to learn.

<Magic> Why are you ready to learn?

Aren't you're supposed to be the teacher.

<Mr.

Gray> But teachers can learn too.

What's your name?

Okay...

Your names?

<Reva> What the heck is that?

<Rex> You trying to boil us or something?

<Mr.

Gray> Yes.

Yes, I am.

(maniacal laughter) <Duke> Move.

<Magic> What's your problem?

<Duke> He is, so?

♪ <Duke> Move.

♪ <Magic> Yo, stop.

<Duke> Rex knows his place.

That's right.

(Laughs) (Snap) (Water spurts) (Screams) (laughing) <Mr.

Gray> All right, guys, let's get back inside.

♪ After you, ma'am.

(snickers) <Mr.

Gray> Let's try this again.

♪ playful music ♪ <Rex> Are you a superhero.

<Mr.

Gray> Oh, goodness no.

My name's Will Gray, Magic's my game.

(Mr. Gray laughs) I got tricks up my sleeve that'll drive you insane.

Don't blink too fast or the flames won't last.

Are you ready to spark open your mind?

<Magic> Ohhh Ohhh Ohh!

Pick me.

<Reva> Wait hold up.

Hold up, wait a second.

If you're so big time, why are you here?

<Mr.

Gray> Uhhh...because I got let go of my job as a magician in Las Vegas.

Dr. Strong and I grew up together, and she told me about a school and some kids that needed some added support, and so here I am.

Here I is.

Here I am.

Here I is.

Why?

Because when I was your age, I needed some help too.

Now work with me.

<Magic> So she doesn't know you have magic powers?

<Mr.

Gray> Of course not.

You can't tell everybody your secrets.

<Rex> Well, I'm Rex Lemon.

This my twin sister Reva.

People say I'm too silly, and she's too sassy.

<Reva> Like I care what people say.

<Rex> You do cause you cry at night.

<Mr.

Gray> Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

It's okay.

It's okay.

<Reva> No, it's not, I don't need him telling that!

<Mr.

Gray> Okay, look, we'll all be okay.

We just need to follow our dreams.

What are yours?

What are your dreams?

<Rex> This is easy.

Last night I dreamed that an ant monster came in.

<Reva> No, silly.

He means your dream job.

<Rex> Oh, right.

<Reva> Sorry.

I shouldn't call you silly.

<Mr.

Gray> It's never good to intentionally hurt someone's feelings, but being silly is not bad.

<Rex> Huh?

<Mr.

Gray> Silly is like thinking outside of the box.

Like dare to have fun, open to possibilities and Reva being called sassy is not a bad thing either.

It means that you stand up for yourself and your brother and that you're not a pushover and that you, - hey, can think on your feet.

<Rex> What about Magic?

<Mr.

Gray> Tough and rough can be great traits too.

It means that he's a protector and that he can handle more than most.

Look, we all, all of us have superpowers.

<Reva> Don't butter us up.

<Mr.

Gray> I'm serious.

<Rex> Once I saw a movie about the Tuskegee Airmen, I want to fly.

<Reva> Is that why you go flapping around like a bird?

<Rex> Yep.

I'm a plane.

<Mr.

Gray> Like Superman.

♪ <Mr.

Gray> You know what we need?

(upbeat dance music starts) A dance break.

♪ (door opens) ♪ (door closes) <Mrs.

Hill> So Mr. Gray was your best friend growing up?

<Dr.

Strong> I know, right?

He'd hang with me and my brother, and Will always, he just understood me.

<Dr.

Strong> And when girls from our hood would put me down, he'd lift me up.

<Mrs.

Hill> Oh, cool.

So he's pretty kind.

<Dr.

Strong> Yeah, but I don't know if kindness is going to cut it.

I'm just...

I'm not sure if bringing him here was a right idea.

<Mrs.

Hill> Look, we are down teachers, and you have a plan to help struggling students.

Don't second guess yourself or him.

<Mrs.

Hill> Umm.

<Dr.

Strong> What now?

Really?

♪ <Mr.

Gray>All right.

All right.

All right.

Let's get back to reading.

(Mr. Gray laughs) Yeah!

(music fades) <Reva> Magic and I didn't get to share our dreams.

<Magic> I don't want to tell him mines.

<Reva> Well, I do.

I want to be the governor or the president of a HBCU.

The person that runs the Army base.

Oh, oh, oh!

I want to be the person over a television studio.

<Mr.

Gray> Ahh, you want to be a leader.

<Reva> Exactly, that.

A leader.

<Mr.

Gray> Oh, why?

<Reva> Cause our parents are real young.

<Mr.

Gray> What's young?

<Both> 27.

<Mr.

Gray> That's young?

<Reva>My mama said she had to put her dreams on hold, because she had us.

She wants me to be a boss lady.

And that you can be Miss Reva.

<Reva>If I stop getting "F's" on my work all the time.

<Mr.

Gray> Okay, okay.

Magic.

Tell me your dream.

<Magic> I said I didn't want to.

<Reva> Why you scared it won't come true.

<Magic> Gosh, pack.

It's funny that my name is Magic Strong.

Even though, I don't feel so strong all the time.

I'm not sure if I'll ever see my mom again.

Did I just let them see me down?

Come on Magic, get it together.

<Mr.

Gray> Magic.

(clapping) Yah.

(Mr. Gray laughs) (Mr. Jackson gasps) ♪ <Rex> Wow.

How did we get here?

<Magic> And get changed?

<Reva> Yeah.

Where are we?

<Magic> We're in my dream.

<Reva> Yeah let's go.

♪ dramatic music ♪ ♪ <Magic> I have no clue why we're here.

<Mr.

Gray> Are we here?

Or are you dreaming?

<Magic> Either way, this is weird.

<Mr.

Gray> Why, you said this was your dream.

<Magic> Yeah.

I want to play football one day.

<Mr.

Gray> How bad do you want your dream?

<Magic> I want my dream bad.

<Mr.

Gray> Ahhh!

<Mr.

Gray> Magic.

You said you want your dream, bad.

And though we're here, I can tell you've got a lot weighing on you.

I get it, because even as an adult, I lost my dream when I lost my focus.

I don't want that to happen to you.

Though life is heavy, you have to get your education, man, or else how are you going to get back here in the future?

Go, sit and really think about that for a minute.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ <Mr.

Gray> All right, guys, come on in!

Oh, come on Reva.

<Rex> Magic, your turn.

This is your dream, can't you beat her?

<Magic> I'm, good.

<Rex> Don't let a girl show you up.

<Magic> Pack, isn't that who I helped out at the water faucet?

I don't know what I'm afraid of.

Yes, I do.

Failure.

Anybody out there get me?

I haven't thrown a football since my dad left a year ago.

Life without him is hard.

<Mr.

Jackson> Dr. Strong, Dr. Strong!

Dr. Strong!

Dr. Strong!

<Dr.

Strong> Whatever this is now, I don't have time.

I'm heading to the lunchroom.

<Mr.

Jackson> You better make the time.

Your new hire is strangely dangerous.

<Dr.

Strong> Quit exaggerating.

<Mr.

Jackson> The class, vanished into thin air.

<Dr.

Strong> Vanished?

<Mr.

Gray> Alright, and.

<Coach Shane Beamer> Hello, Magic.

Hey, Rex.

Hey, Reva, it's Shane Beamer here.

And Magic, I heard you want to be a football player when you get older.

And I'm here to tell you, you can.

<Rex> Oh, my God.

(Mr. Gray laughs) How did you do that?

<Mr.

Gray> Magic!

<Reva> Wow, that was cool.

<Mr.

Gray> Magic?

That's not enough.

Okay, then how about.

(Mr. Gray snaps fingers) ♪ dramatic music begins ♪ ♪ ♪ <Coach Beamer> Hey, Magic.

<Magic> Oh my gosh Coach!

<Coach Beamer> I'm here to tell you, you can.

You can accomplish your dreams.

You can be anything you want to be.

You can do anything you put your mind to.

How do I know this?

Because when I was your age, I wanted to be a head football coach.

I know what it's like to ant something with all your heart.

I'm here to tell you that when you work hard and do things the right way, there's no stopping you in life or on this field one day.

You got it?

<Magic> I got it.

<Coach Beamer> Now give me a fist bump ♪ <Magic> Guys, guys, did y'all see that?

<Rex> See what?

<Reva> We see you still haven't answered Mr. Gray.

<Mr.

Gray> Magic, have you learned anything?

<Magic> Yes, sir.

If today start off bad, I just need to stick with it and believe things can turn around.

And never stop trying to be better.

<Mr.

Gray> Sounds good to me.

Back to class.

(snaps finger) ♪ <Mr.

Jackson> I tell you they were here, they were here.

They vani.. <Mrs.

Hill> You know what?

Let's take you down to get a muffin.

Get your blood sugar back up.

Come on.

<Mr.

Jackson>I don't want no muffin.

>>You all do your work.

<Reva> What work?

(snaps finger) <Mr.

Gray> I want to thank you... <Dr.

Strong> Oh?

<Mr.

Gray> For seeing in me what I didn't see in myself.

<Dr.

Strong> So does that mean you're staying?

<Mr.

Gray> Maybe just one more day?

(laughs) <Dr.

Strong> See.

(Mr. Gray laughs) <Mr.

Gray> Let me get back to working for the best principal in the world.

<Dr.

Strong> Oh, you don't have to say that.

<Mr.

Gray> It's true.

You give you all for this school.

You do.

<Dr.

Strong> So many give up on students like this though, you know.

<Mr.

Gray> Oh, it's a great thing there are people like you in the world that don't give up on kids and people that are struggling because that's the real magic.

Yeah.

(claps) All right.

What are we doing?

<Students> Huh?

<Mr.

Gray> What do you mean, huh?

<Magic> Pack, thanks for staying with me.

Even when it's hard, things can get easy.

I don't know how it'll be having my Aunt as my principal and my guardian, but today I learned that it doesn't have to be bad if I give it a try.

It's cool to be a strong learner, what's the magic point?

Whatever's going on with you, you can get a win.

Yes?

Yes.

You can!

♪ "You Can": song begins ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (song ends) ♪ "The Stage": song begins ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Every place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the place I act my age ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the only place ♪ ♪ the place I can be silly ♪ ♪ Every place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the place I act my age ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the only place ♪ ♪ the place I can be silly ♪ ♪ Silly ♪ ♪ I'm walking on stage ♪ ♪ cause it's my favorite place ♪ ♪ and when I'm there, wild, everybody smiles ♪ ♪ I like to see ♪ ♪ the crowd have fun ♪ ♪ cause school is out ♪ ♪ and homework's done ♪ ♪ Hey!

It's my favorite place ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the place I act my age ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the only place ♪ ♪ the place I can be...(silly) ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the place I act my age ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the only place ♪ ♪ the place I can be... ♪ ♪ Silly ♪ ♪ ♪ And when I'm on the stage ♪ ♪ I really have a ball ♪ ♪ Cause when I scream and rap ♪ ♪ all the people clap ♪ ♪ I like to hear ♪ ♪ the crowd scream for me ♪ ♪ Cause that means ♪ ♪ they are happy as can be ♪ ♪ Hey, it's my favorite place ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the place I act my age ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the only place, the place I can be...(silly) ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the place I act my age ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the only place, the place I can be... (silly) ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the place I act my age ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the only place, the place I can be silly.

♪ ♪ be silly ♪ ♪ be silly ♪ ♪ be silly ♪ ♪ on the stage ♪ ♪ I can be silly ♪ ♪ be silly ♪ ♪ be silly ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the place I act my age ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the only place, the place I can be (silly) ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the place I act my age ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ It's the only place the place I can be silly ♪ ♪ My favorite place is the stage (Yeah, uh) ♪ ♪ it's the place I act my age ♪ (music fades) >> Hey everybody my name is Cameron Ellison and I'm auditioning for the role of Magic Strong.

I am ten years old in the fifth grade.

>>Hello my name is Jour'nee Whetstone and I'm auditioning for the role, Reva Lemon and I'm 9 years old in the fourth grade >> Hi my name is Dominic Carter I'm auditioning for the role of Rex Lemon Reva's twin brother and I'm 11 in the 5th grade.

>> Today we're going to be playing multiple scenes from our show the Cool and the Strong We hope you enjoy.

<Magic> I know I'm smart, my grades just don't show it.

But is it all my fault this is my fourth school in two years.

Say it with me.

<All> No.

<Rex> Well, I'm Rex Lemon This is my twin sister Reva People say I'm too silly, but she's too sassy.

<Reva> Like I care what people say.

<Rex> You do cause you cry at night.

<Reva> Hmm.

<Magic> Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

It's okay.

<Reva> I don't need him telling that!

<Rex> Yo, Magic You remember that thing I told you about not going into a lady's pocketbook, right?

Well, I think the point is if we're not supposed to go, we're not supposed to go.

<Magic> Okay.

<Rex> But if that's true, so is the opposite.

<Reva> My mama said she had to put her dreams on hold because she had us.

She wants me to be a boss lady.

<Magic> Well, that you can be Miss Reva.

<Reva> If I stop getting "F's" on my work all the time.

(laughing from production crew) >> I'm Hope Shealy and I am 12 years old.

...but today we were out of peanut butter So I asked my sister what to give him and she said a tuna sandwich (production members clap) That's it.

Thanks Hope.

Nice.

You can do what you want to Do whatever it is you put your mind to You can do what you want to Do whatever it is you put your mind to You can.