Cast Of 'Ain't Too Proud' Performs For Students At Big 10 Ballroom

The national Broadway tour telling the life and music of The Temptations is in town and paying tribute to the original band.

The cast of "Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations," including an Oklahoma native, visited the historic Big 10 Ballroom, where the original band once played in the 1960s.

Pictures on the walls honor the Black musicians who paved the way.

On April 5, the cast inspired some Tulsa students to also go after their dreams.

Stars of the show sang "My Girl" acapella on the same stage The Temptations performed on about 60 years ago.

Michael Andreaus is an Oklahoma native and plays "Otis Williams," the founder and last surviving original member of the band.

"Knowing that we're introducing this space to these young people with that song, it all comes together in such a beautiful way,” said Andreaus.

There was a special lesson for 10 students from Booker T Washington High, who got to ask questions.

“That goes to show you that you see it, you speak it, you can do it," said one of the cast members.

The teens are part of A Pocket Full of Hope, a Tulsa non-profit focused on getting students involved in the arts.

"As someone who wants to do what they do, it's really cool to hear how they made it and what inspired them the most,” said Niya Rhodes, a junior at Tulsa Booker T. Washington.

There was another unforgettable moment: Students singing with the cast.

"It's really surreal,” said Rhodes. “Kind of hard to believe it."

Dr. Lester Shaw watched with pride. He is the founder of A Pocket Full of Hope and spent the last 15 years restoring this historic building.

"The performers didn't have hardly any place else to perform but for venues like this, where actually gave them that opportunity,” said Shaw.

A venue with a storied past that is restoring hope for generations to come.

Cast members said they are also looking forward to visiting the Greenwood Rising Museum.