I’ve always wanted to be a writer…one of my proudest moments was in the 9th grade when Ms. Simms handed me my essay and said, “You’re a good writer.” Another was when this super hot, intellectual Kappa guy wrote an editorial in the Southern University Digestabout how campus beauty queens were basically whack. I, a proudly elected campus queen, wrote a reply that was published and people responded favorably. A final memory was when I was selected Editor in Chief of a law school paper. My final editorial raised hairs, causing my Dean to not acknowledge me at graduation. I realized a long time ago the power of my written word. But I was hesitant to say I was a writer.
I remember telling my friend Holly over brunch that I wanted to write more. She said I had to meet her friend Jewel. I checked out Jewel’s blog and was immediately intimidated. She was a WRITER writer-as opposed to me, a person who liked to write. Jewel and I kept in touch and she invited me to a gathering of writers of color in New Orleans. Her goal was to create a space for writers in the city where we can cultivate our stories. This meeting was full of heavy hitters and we had to share something we had written. My favorite Times Picayune writer Jarvis DeBerry was there and he read from a piece I had read in the paper. His wife Kelly recited an original poem that was amazing. My now friend Kasimu there and he shared a post Katrina story that was hilarious and melancholy all at once. Nik Richard was there and read from his PUBLISHED book. My now friends Gian, Jamey, Maurice, Jeri and Jewel (and many others)…we all went around sharing these stories. I was OVERWHELMED with the talent in that room. I felt like I was among great writers and awaited them to tell me thank you for your interest but you’re not ready yet. That never happened. Instead they embraced me and have been nurturing my writing ever since. When it was time to produce my play, it was my writer’s group that helped iron out the kinks. I am a part of a something bigger than myself and we are sharing our stories.
Now everyone can see what we’ve been up to as our group gets ready to host our first summer reading series! I’m OVERWHELMED with emotion as I share this with you. I’m daily realizing my dreams and this is yet another reason why I am so grateful my journey found its way through New Orleans!!! Save the dates so you can come share our stories!
I had the thrill of my acting lifetime when I got to be a part of a production of FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF. Ricknise, our stage manager on the show, is a mass comm major. Here’s a great piece she did on the show!!!!
Last fall I was thrilled to produce my first stage play HIP HOP IS ALIVE for the New Orleans Fringe Festival. It was an exciting, amazing experience that strengthened my belief that I AM a producer! My play was strongly drive by music, the hip hop soundtrack to my life. The festival recognized that and now I get to speak about how music plays a part in my creativity in this month’s after the fest convo!!! I’m BEAUCOUP (look it up) excited!!! All of my creative ideas start with music! And I can not wait to share how! So if you’re in New Orleans on Tuesday, April 17 , come check me out at the Fringe Fest’s Pillow Talk at the Lost Love Lounge from 7pm-9pm!!!!!
On January 28-29 I auditioned for a production of FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW WAS ENUF. A fan of the choreopoem, I HAD to audition. That day I had A LOT going on! I had a brunch with my friend/colleague, a shoot for my friend Gian’s short BOTCHED, an audition for a student film at UNO and lastly, the FOR COLORED GIRLS audition. By the time I got to the audition I was excited but while waiting for my turn, I got a bit cocky. I could tell I was the oldest in the room and the girls were so chatty…not like film/tv auditions where it is dead silent. My ego got ahead of itself and when it was finally my turn to audition, I sucked! It was the kind of suck where I had to just keep smiling because I knew it was horrific. Luckily the director was looking for a bubbly, smily type so I got the callback. I knew I had to bring it the next day and boy was I right-she had us all perform in front of one another and these young women were bringing it! I was overjoyed when I got the word I had made the play because it was truly a competitive field. I felt a sense of accomplishment and instantly began to feel overwhelmed. The play opened in just seven weeks!
We rehearsed everyday except a few days off for Mardi Gras. The material was unlike anything else I’d ever experienced. There wasn’t any dialogue or stage direction so paying attention to our director’s notes during practice was essential. During this I was still working daily as a travel coordinator on a TV, getting to know my new boo, wrapping up one job and starting a new one in the midst of rehearsal – so things were crazy. But the material, the cast/crew and the director made me feel as if it was going to pan out. And did it ever!
The show opened on Friday, March 30 and to say it was well received would be an understatement. There were audience members who had seen the piece in the 70s and thought it was on point and clearly presented. On Sunday when we wrapped after our set nine performances, I felt an extreme sense of empowerment. I had set a goal of delivering a good performance and had done the work to make it a reality. Every night was new and that forced me to grow more and more as an actress and as a person. Moreso every night I had to listen to Ntozake’s words over and over again. And they sank in. This was a process I had no idea would move me as much as it did. As one of the last lines of the show states, “I found God in myself and loved her fiercely,” exactly what this project made me do! I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to see what comes next!
trust – noun: reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.
I am not so good with trusting. I figured out early on that sometimes people’s best intentions can fall short. In my youth, unfortunately I wasn’t able to trust the people in my life. Those who were to nurture me fell below the mark time and time again. I attached that falling short to some form of lack within me (ie: I must not have deserved whatever it was they were supposed to do so that’s why it didn’t work). The result: I just do it all on my own. I’m self-made and for every act of kindness in my life I’ve gone above and beyond to show my appreciation/gratitude as well as pay it forward. Have I always been trustworthy? No I haven’t. The main reason is because I don’t like to say no but I digress…this isn’t about if folk trust me but rather why its difficult for me to trust folks. The major issue is when to trust and in whom to place that trust. Le siiiiiiiggggggggghhhhhhhh. And now I’m in a position where it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to do everything on my own. I’ve got to trust…
But here’s the thing…I know that people fall short-I do ALL THE TIME. But I also come through for folk ALL THE TIME. I think the key isn’t trusting them (or me) but placing my trust in the Most High. He’s always got my back NO MATTER WHAT so I’ve just got to TRUST that He’s going to place the correct people in my life at the correct time. So I’m going to continue to work on trusting HIM and as a result the THEMs will work out just fine. My favorite number is 37 (heehee my Spring ’97 folk know why). I flipped to my favorite Bible book for times like this, paired it with my number and look what I found…I know everything is going to work out.
Trust in the Lord and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him. (Psalm 37:3-5, 7a)
In July I applied to produce a play in the 2011 New Orleans Fringe Fest! Guess what? I got selected!!! Introducing my latest endeavor…HIP HOP LIVES!
So….add actress to my list. Click here for tickets.
Democracy:
One of the most fab things about living in America is that we get to elect our officials. If you know anything about American history, this right has not always been granted to all the people. As a black woman, I hold the right to vote in the highest regard. Today is election day and a lot of things are going on in the country right now I do not like. There’s an emerging group of people who seem to view what it means to be American a lot differently than I do. The fact is at this period in time, America is still a democracy. We all get the opportunity to voice our opinion. I urge my fellow Americans to get out there and VOTE! These are interesting times in which we live-I feel they’ll go on to be historical! Do your part to get your views heard in the next chapter of American history!
Since I began to work in physical production, I get to meet new and interesting people on every new job. One of my favorite people to work for to date was Clark Johnson. I served as his assistant on the pilot of DELTA BLUES (later changed to MEMPHIS BEAT). Clark is an amazing person! Super down to Earth, really engaging and definitely about supporting local businesses and workers. It was so great to work with him! I’ve been watching THE WIRE and started Season 5 last night. I knew that Clark had directed the show during the first season. He told me when we wrapped DELTA BLUES that I should get into THE WIRE. HE was right – I LOVE IT! He told me he made a brief appearance in Season 5. He’s a jokester and his “appearance” is as one of the main characters during the season! I saw the first episode of the last season last night and he’s good! (He starred in HOMICIDE back in the day but I never saw that show either.) Anyway, yet another example of an industry vet that does not place himself in a box! While there are 700,000 things that work my nerves about my career choice, opportunities to work closely with greats such as Clark are amazing. I feel so fortunate and hope that my future work somehow reflects all the great mentors I’ve had throughout my career!
Tonight I’m making my feature film debut!!! It’s an indie…it’s a very small role…it may get cut BUT I’m acting in a movie!!! VERY excited. I mean, I’ve done tons of my own stuff and of course I was in a music video (lol! my claim to fame can be viewed here), but this is different. Someone called me to cast me in their project just b/c she thought I can do it. I’m pretty stoked! And very prepared. I’ll try to take pics on set but in the meantime, you can click here to learn more about SIREN SONG featuring DAVIDA CHANEL!!!
