THE TIME WARP TAKES ON NEW MEANING IN HISD MEATAXE MIKE'S MUSICAL PLAY THE ROCKY HORDE TAKEOVER SHOW
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles recently made his debut as a playwright with his musical play, "The Rocky Horde Takeover Show". The play, which was part of the convocation ceremony for Houston ISD teachers, was met with mixed reviews, to say the least.
Miles himself played the role of a diner owner who mentored students in a town with an "antiquated" public school system facing reforms from a new superintendent. The play was intended to showcase Miles' vision and plans for the district, which include longer instructional days, scripted lessons, pay-for-performance evaluations, and converting libraries into "team centers" for differentiated learning and discipline. But instead, it showcased Miles' questionable sense of humor.
The play was met with criticism and backlash from many teachers, parents, students, and city leaders, who viewed it as a "propaganda play" that disrespected the fine arts department, mocked the media, and ignored the concerns of the community. Some teachers also complained about the disorganization and overcrowding of the professional development sessions that preceded the play at NRG Stadium.
One of the student performers, Comfort Azagidi, a rising senior at Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, expressed their regret and embarrassment for being part of the play. They said they were "tricked" into participating in the show without knowing its true purpose until the second day of rehearsals. They said they were offered service hours for their involvement but felt uncomfortable with the script and the message of the play. They also said Miles did not show up to rehearsals until the day before and did not remember some parts of the play he wrote.
Azagidi's story has sparked outrage among parents and teachers in Houston ISD. Many people have criticized Miles for using students to promote his agenda. Some people have also called for Miles to resign. But Miles is not backing down. He defended the musical, saying that it was meant to be a "light-hearted" celebration of education. He has also said that he did not intend to make fun of anyone. However, it seems that he unintentionally made fun of himself.
Miles' musical play has been described as "a load of propaganda poo" by some critics. Others have suggested that he stick to his day job as a superintendent and leave the writing to those who know what they're doing.
It remains to be seen what the long-term impact of this controversy will be. But one thing is clear: if Miles wants to be taken seriously as a superintendent, he should probably stick to making policy decisions instead of writing musicals.
MEATAXE MIKE COVER THE TIME WARP
It's astounding
Your brain is fleeting
Madness takes its toll
But listen closely
Not for very much longer
You've got to keep control
I remember doing the Mind Warp
Thinking those thoughts when
The craziness would hit me
And the confusion would be calling
Let's do the Mind Warp again
Let's do the Mind Warp again
It's just a thought to the left
And then a memory to the right
Put your hands on your head
You bring your thoughts in tight
But it's the mental thrust
That really drives you insane
Let's do the Mind Warp again
Let's do the Mind Warp again
It's so dreamy
Oh, fantasy free me
So you can't see me
No, not at all
In another dimension
With analytical intention
Well-secluded
I think too much
With a bit of a mind flip
You're into the thought slip
And nothing can ever be the same
You're spaced out on logic
Like you're under hypnotic
Let's do the Mind Warp again
Let's do the Mind Warp again
Well, I was thinking in my room just a-having a drink
When a voice in my head gave me an evil wink
It shook me up, it took me by surprise
It had a new idea and a devilish guise
It spoke to me and I felt a change
My mind was racing, never would it be the same
Let's do the Mind Warp again
Let's do the Mind Warp again
It's just a thought to the left
And then a memory to the right
Put your hands on your head
You bring your thoughts in tight
But it's the mental thrust
That really drives you insane
Let's do the Mind Warp again
Let's do the Mind Warp again
So put on your thinking caps, folks, and let's do the Mind Warp!
Mike Miles and the Rocky Horde Takeover Show (Thumbs) https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/mike-miles-ken-paxton-pornography-art-18301757.php
‘A fever dream’: Mike Miles stars in musical about himself as disorganization plagues Houston ISD teacher training – Houston Public Media https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/education-news/hisd/2023/08/17/459821/a-fever-dream-mike-miles-stars-in-musical-about-himself-as-disorganization-plagues-houston-isd-teacher-training/
Houston ISD student regrets performing in ‘propaganda play’ starring Mike Miles – Houston Public Media https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/education-news/hisd/2023/08/18/459920/houston-isd-student-regrets-performing-in-propaganda-play-starring-mike-miles/
HISD student: I was 'tricked' into doing 'propaganda' play https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-students-propaganda-musical-18303434.php
THE DEFT DIVE
FROM BARD AI
The story of the Houston ISD student who regrets performing in a "propaganda play" starring Mike Miles.
The student, Comfort Azagidi, is a rising senior at Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She was one of several students who performed in a musical number at the district's convocation ceremony on Wednesday, August 17, 2023. The musical was about Mike Miles, the state-appointed superintendent of Houston ISD.
Azagidi said that she and the other students were told that the musical would be about the importance of education. However, she said that the musical was actually a "propaganda piece" that was designed to promote Miles and his policies. The musical included songs and skits that praised Miles and made fun of his critics.
Azagidi said that she felt "tricked" into performing in the musical. She said that she did not agree with the message of the musical and that she felt uncomfortable being used to promote Miles.
Azagidi's story has sparked outrage among parents and teachers in Houston ISD. Many people have criticized Miles for using students to promote his agenda. Some people have also called for Miles to resign.
Miles has defended the musical, saying that it was meant to be a "light-hearted" celebration of education. He has also said that he did not intend to make fun of anyone.
The controversy over the musical is the latest in a series of challenges facing Miles. Miles was appointed superintendent of Houston ISD in July 2023. He has since faced criticism for his plans to remove librarians and convert school libraries, as well as his handling of the district's budget.
It is unclear what the long-term impact of the controversy will be. However, it is clear that the musical has damaged Miles' reputation and divided the community.
FROM BING AI
The Houston ISD student who regrets performing in a musical play starring Mike Miles, the state-appointed superintendent of the district. I will try to provide you with a deep dive into this topic, based on the web search results I found.
The musical play was part of the convocation ceremony for Houston ISD teachers on Wednesday, August 18, 2023. The play was written by Mike Miles himself and featured him as a diner owner who mentored students in a town with an "antiquated" public school system facing reforms from a new superintendent. The play was intended to showcase Miles' vision and plans for the district, which include longer instructional days, scripted lessons, pay-for-performance evaluations, and converting libraries into "team centers" for differentiated learning and discipline¹.
However, the play was met with criticism and backlash from many teachers, parents, students, and city leaders, who viewed it as a "propaganda play" that disrespected the fine arts department, mocked the media, and ignored the concerns of the community¹²³. Some teachers also complained about the disorganization and overcrowding of the professional development sessions that preceded the play at NRG Stadium².
One of the student performers, Comfort Azagidi, a rising senior at Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, expressed their regret and embarrassment for being part of the play. They said they were "tricked" into participating in the show without knowing its true purpose until the second day of rehearsals. They said they were offered service hours for their involvement but felt uncomfortable with the script and the message of the play. They also said Miles did not show up to rehearsals until the day before and did not remember some parts of the play he wrote¹²⁴.
Azagidi took to social media platforms such as Tik Tok, Instagram, and Twitter to share their experience and dissatisfaction with the play. They wrote: "I do not support anything that this man is doing; a lot of us students were tricked into being in this show" ⁴. Their posts gained attention and sympathy from people in the HISD community and beyond.
Miles defended his play and dismissed the critics as "naysayers" who did not want to change. He said the play was "great" and something that HISD had not seen before. He also said it was a disservice to the students, teachers, and staff who worked hard to put on the convocation in five weeks¹.
The controversy over the play is one of many that have surrounded Miles since he was appointed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to lead Houston ISD in June 2023. The TEA intervened in the district because of mismanagement and alleged illegal activity by previous board members and also because Wheatley High School had a string of failing academic ratings from the state⁵. Miles has also announced plans to eliminate 2,347 jobs from HISD's central office, expand his reforms to 150 schools over two years, and enact a district-wide pay-for-performance model for all teachers²⁶.
Bing, 8/19/2023
- (1) Houston ISD student regrets performing in ‘propaganda play’ starring .... https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/education-news/hisd/2023/08/18/459920/houston-isd-student-regrets-performing-in-propaganda-play-starring-mike-miles/.
- (2) HISD student says they were 'tricked' into performing 'propaganda' play. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/hisd-student-says-they-were-tricked-into-performing-propaganda-play/ar-AA1fsVFT.
- (3) Education News – Houston Public Media. https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/topics/news/education-news/.
- (4) Houston ISD parents and students fear Mike Miles’ reforms will tear the .... https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/education-news/hisd/2023/08/08/458892/houston-isd-parents-and-students-fear-mike-miles-reforms-will-tear-the-community-fabric-of-their-public-schools/.
- (5) City leaders criticize Houston ISD superintendent Mike Miles over plans .... https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/education-news/hisd/2023/07/26/457933/city-leaders-criticize-houston-isd-superintendent-mike-miles-over-plans-for-school-libraries/.
- (6) Mike Miles: The Controversial Visionary for the New Houston ISD. https://m.stylemagazine.com/news/2023/aug/16/mike-miles-controversial-visionary-new-houston-isd/.
- (7) Mike Miles: The Controversial Visionary for the New Houston ISD .... http://stylemagazine.com/news/2023/aug/16/mike-miles-controversial-visionary-new-houston-isd/.
- (8) Houston ISD's new superintendent Mike Miles wants to use same approach .... https://abc13.com/houston-isd-state-takeover-of-hisd-largest-district-in-texas-mike-miles/13410708/.
- (9) HISD student says performers were 'tricked' into Superintendent ... - MSN. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/hisd-student-says-performers-were-tricked-into-superintendent-mike-miles-convocation-play/ar-AA1fsClQ.
- (10) HISD superintendent pokes fun at recent issues in staff musical pep .... https://abc13.com/the-mike-miles-show-hisd-musical-houston-isd-first-week-of-school-tea-takeover/13672125/.
- (11) undefined. https://embed.hpm.io/458956/458892.
