Center for Strategic Communication

President Barack Obama makes closing remarks following a performance of musical selections from "Hamilton" in the East Room of the White House, March 14, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama makes closing remarks following a performance of musical selections from “Hamilton” in the East Room of the White House, March 14, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Today, the “world turned upside down” in the White House. The President and First Lady welcomed the cast of Broadway's Hamilton to the White House to host a day full of student workshops, Q&A, and performances, continuing their ongoing effort to highlight all different kinds of American art.

 

“We wanted to change things up here in the White House a little bit. We wanted to open the doors really wide to a bunch of different folks who usually don’t get access to this place.”

First Lady Michelle Obama

 

Hamilton captures the story of our nation's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, using hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and more musical styles to bring history to life. The creative minds behind the hit show have also worked with nonprofit organizations and foundations to make the musical accessible to as many students as possible, along with developing educational materials to expand on the context of the show. Today, members of the cast workshopped this curriculum with local students in the East Wing.

 

And of course, the President had to get in on the fun. Watch him try to freestyle-stump Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show's star, in the Rose Garden:

 

Wait for it… #Bam4Ham

Posted by The White House on Monday, March 14, 2016

 

Check out some other highlights from the day:

Cast members perform musical selections from the Broadway musical "Hamilton" in the East Room of the White House, March 14, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
Cast members perform musical selections from the Broadway musical “Hamilton” in the East Room of the White House, March 14, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)