It all started when the first-year principal of the Noel C. Taylor Academy spoke to a prayer group at Central Baptist Church one night.

Eric Anderson told the church group about the needs of his school for students with behavior and social problems.

The Staunton Avenue Northwest church group wanted to do a black history program, not knowing that students and teachers at N.C. Taylor were toying with the same idea.

Anderson and church members agreed to a partnership for the rest of school year, and the play just evolved.

Sixteen students worked on a play that was based on a poem from one of their classmates.

Two community performers stepped in and helped the students compose a four-act play out of 17-year-old Xavier Broughfman's "Evolution of Music."

Actress and dancer Roma Turner choreographed "Evolution," teaching students to dance to African drums.

Nicole Page, a singer and the founder and chief executive officer of Acting Faith Ministries, helped them pick the music.

The play starts with African dance and music, proceeds to the black Renaissance period and then takes on gospel music and hip-hop.

The N.C. Taylor students said they had about a week to rehearse before their first performance Feb. 24 at Central.

They were proud of themselves, especially because the church was full, said teacher Bridgette Bentley.

The troupe gave a second public presentation Feb. 28 at the school. On Feb. 29, they performed for their classmates.

"The beautiful part is that my students probably haven't been able to perform before an audience before. It gave them confidence," Anderson said.

Most of the 16 students said they attend church on a regular or sporadic basis and were surprised by the audience turnout.

Kierra Jenkins, 16, said she's so used to dancing in public that the performances didn't bother her. However, she said she was glad to perform with her school friends.

Classmate Rose Jennings, 17, said, "It just proved that just because we are here at Noel C. Taylor doesn't mean that we are all bad children and can't learn at a regular school."

"The children were excellent. The spirit of the evening was very high," said the Rev. Joseph Keaton, pastor at Central.

The partnership with N.C. Taylor is the first of two ventures Central started this year in an effort "to extend ourselves more into the community and do more outreach" and to respond to a school system request for volunteers from faith-based organizations, Keaton said. The church also has elected to work with Apple Ridge, an education, recreation and skill-developing program for inner-city youth.

Central's Wednesday prayer group of about 20 is working with the principal and teachers at N.C. Taylor on future activities.

"We are very excited as we meet with the principal and school to see what is permitted," Keaton said.

The prayer group furnished a full-course meal for the Sunday performance and prepared refreshments for the evening performance at the school.

The players praised Anderson and Bentley for the trust and encouragement the two educators bestowed on them.

The partnership with the ,church and the assistance of Turner and Page gave them confidence in themselves, several students said, adding they wouldn't mind performing at other schools.

They anticipate presenting another program at Central Baptist.

DeAndre Mack, 18, played a tribal chief, preacher and white bus driver in various acts.

"It helped us work together," DeAndre said, getting a nod of agreement from Bentley.

Not only did the play help "us understand and learn about black history, it made me feel like we were there," said Deresse Kasey, 17, who played a white man on the bus in a scene about the late Rosa Parks.

Umeko Jones, 16, had the role of Patti LaBelle accepting a music award.

"I felt good after the performance," Umeko said. "I felt like we accomplished something. We showed that we could do something and be somebody."