January 2012
3 posts
4 tags
Moving from Getting Snacks to Having the Snacks...
When people attempt to look back and find that EXACT moment where they felt that shift in their professional career, they often tell some anecdote about people who once looked down on them breaking their necks to look up at them. No matter how sincere some of these stories are, their is always an air of snotty-ness attached the statement. …at the risk of perpetuating that, let me explain a...
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What Canceling "How to Make it in America" Means...
So one of the shows I got in to when I finally got HBO (I know, I know, but I never made enough money to pay for it. Thank God I can now #GeorgeJeffersonStrut) was their original series How to Make it in America. Set in NY, which generally would make me not like a show, the series chronicles the life of two mid-20somethings looking to stake their spot in America. Their medium: CRISP, a fashion...
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Alice Walker: A Reflection
As part of my new commitment to reading, I’ve decided to re-visit (or in some cases, visit for the first time) a lot of the books on my bookshelf. I’ve had a few people come over to the house and comment on my books. I often receive compliments like, “It’s so nice to see some people still care for the REAL book” and similar statements. I always feel like a fraud...
December 2011
4 posts
5 tags
NEIGHBORS: Preview of Docu-Profile of the Show →
At Mixed Blood we presented Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ play Neighbors. Freedom Radio producer Ralph Crowder attended a performance and was intrigued by the play and what it was trying to do and how it attempted to tell the story. He decided to film a documentary, of sorts, detailing the production and probing how the Black middle class is developed in America. Check out a quick clip. Hope you...
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Q & A with FOR COLORED GIRLS... Director Jamil... →
In conjunction with the production I talked about yesterday we did this Q&A. I got so engulfed with the production I never really had a chance to articulate all of my feelings about the work. Thanks again to @forumtheatre!
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November 2011
5 posts
7 tags
5 Hollywood Directors Avoid Talking About Race →
I might be hella late on this as I’m sure it has made its rounds in the artistic community of bloggers I belong to here on Tumblr but I couldn’t not post it. Shoutout to whomever hipped me to this (I think it was my boo Enchanta [ Dreamhard, don’t throw shade!]).
Like anything, this video and the commentary surrounding it, highlight a larger issue: lack of creativity. Now, more...
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My Company (Mixed Blood Theatre Company) is...
I’m so excited about this! Yesterday we spent a lot of time trying to revolutionize the way our global community can check out the work we do at Mixed Blood. Livestream is fairly new to us over here but we feel good about tonight. As you know tonight’s performance of “On the Spectrum” will be live broadcasted via #Newplay TV.
It has been overwhelming to see the support...
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Howlround- Zelda Fichandler: Address to the Stage... →
In the “Journal of the American New Voices Play Institute” there was an article by co-founder of Arena Stage, Zelda Fichandler. I wish I could have sat under her! What an inspiration! She is so insightful and in this article she articulates, just as well as she always has, the challenges we face in the American Theatre and proposes ways in which we can soldier forward.
I’ve...
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October 2011
1 post
3 tags
Business Cards
Damn, long time.
So last Friday I received my first set of business cards. It’s funny how a simple thing, like a 2”x5” piece of paper can mean so much. I never received business cards while working with Arena. In the grand scheme of my life/career trajectory, I’m sure that we’ll have a larger metaphorical meaning later.
So what does it really mean to have a...
August 2011
2 posts
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I Needed The Help
See what I did there? lol.
Anyway, I saw The Help over the weekend and it evoked a lot of thought out of me. It’s really hard to talk about it. I have a menagerie of feelings. I’m proud to know that we, as a people, have endured the life of the home servant. It makes me SO sad to know that after that, we still have so far to come. It pains me that the movie was more about the white...
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ARTICLE SHARE: "Flash Mobs: Being Young, Black,... →
So this article title almost has nothing to do with its content. This is coming from a white liberal who uses their “Black” friend to base their entire argument!
I don’t claim to be in to politics. I don’t watch a lot of the reporting or read a lot of the commentary. Not a big fan of being telling me what to think. I think and talk enough for myself, thanks. I find this...
July 2011
2 posts
1 tag
It's been way too long
Life has been beyond crazy since the last time I posted something. Here are the highlights:
I no longer work for Arena Stage
I do work for Mixed Blood Theatre Company
Mixed Blood is in Minneapolis, MN
I’m driving 20+ hours next Saturday and moving my whole life
I directed/produced my first professional show
The critics LOVED it
Still trying to figure out this whole dating thing (over...
COLORED PEOPLE'S THEATRE GETS FIRST MENTION!! →
coloredpt:
I’m super excited to announce that we received a mention in the DCist blog! They seemed to have enjoyed our brief preview at the DC Fringe Festival Preview event this past Friday and listed us as one of the shows you want to see!!
So blessed to be receiving this kind of buzz before we open!
Don’t be left out! Get your tickets here!!!
June 2011
1 post
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Colored People's Theatre: A Dream Come True! →
belcantoaria:
dreamhard:
coloredpt:
I had no idea when I moved to DC less than two years ago that this day would come. Now here we are, TWO WEEKS away from opening the first show in CPT’s history! Wow! What a ride!
It is a testament to the belief we all had in the work and the desire to create a space where we can explore the…
ATTENTION: IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF THE GREATER DMV AREA,...
May 2011
11 posts
4 tags
Updates (5/30)
Happy Memorial Day to all!
This week is going to be quite a busy and exciting one! We start rehearsals for CPT’s production of for colored girls who considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf tomorrow. I’m super excited. I think we have a great cast assembled and I can’t wait to get to work.
Producing this show has been a great learning experience. Producing at Arena is SO...
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Article Share: "Top 10 Reasons to Support the... →
As if one really needed 10 reasons. THE ARTS ARE IMPORTANT!! That should be reason enough. I think this article does a good job in listing some of the not so obvious reasons why the arts, and the artists who create it, need your support. Check it out and go donate (ideally to my theatre company…)!
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Can He Kick It? Yes He Can! →
Another outdated article that I wanted to comment on during the days leading up to the NFL draft.
It’s no secret; football means a lot to me. I am the person I am because of my tumultuous love affair with the game. From my years playing the game, to my horrible divorce from it, to my infatuation with everything NFL, football is ingrained in me. One my favorite parts of the NFL season is the...
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Updates: Week of 5/23
Man!
My friends from home were here last weekend. #nosleeptilTuesday was definitely in effect as I swear I haven’t been to bed before 5 since Wednesday… I take that back, I was in bed by 11 Sunday night, only to wake up at 3:30 to take them to the airport. Today will be a struggle…to say the least…but it was worth it…
I was able to sneak in a solid round of...
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ARTICLE SHARE: "Is The Tyler Perry Hate... →
Yes, another post about Tyler. Like everyone else, I’m tired of the conversation about him, but of course, and especially because I’m directing the PLAY for colored girls… misinformed friends, family and strangers have asked the dreaded question “so are you trying to be the next Tyler Perry?” I can’t even begin to tell you how much this question boils my water...
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Article Share: "When Gay Men Insult Women" →
I have to admit that reading this article was a real sincere wake up call! Thanks to Ameneh I was introduced to this article.
Me, Ameneh and another one of our co-workers (homosexual, multi-racial male) were having a conversation about, what else, sex and relationships. During the conversation, I committed the same faux pas that the article details. After the conversation, I was sent the...
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Article Share: "Luther Campbell running for mayor... →
This article is a little outdated. It was one of the one’s I’ve been meaning to comment on for a while not but never got around to it…
I think Campbell actually has a legit shot here. After reading about his platform, he seems to be saying the right things. Here is an excerpt from the article:
expansion of small businesses, creating affordable housing options, including secure...
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Updates (5/16)
Man it is surprising how the ups and downs of life can take a toll on you. I went back and read the last “Updates” post and realized how optimistic I was about stuff two weeks ago. Man, things have changed.
The last fourteen days have been ridiculous. DOWN: I’ve damaged professional relationships. UP: I’ve been featured in an article (scroll to the bottom) written by my...
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Article Share: "Ethnic Notions" →
Sometimes you come across something that blows your mind and you wish that you had time to explore it further. Well this is mine! This documentary produced/directed by Marlon Riggs and narrated by Esther Role discusses the early commerical/social images of Black people in American culture and how that has created the America we live in today.
As a progressive Black, the images were troubling at...
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Article Share: "White Women Do It, Too: 8 Things... →
Let me start off by saying I’m SICK AND TIRED of this conversation. It’s the same rhetoric over and over again. If it isn’t a story about why Black women are single, or why Black men don’t want Black women, it’s a story on how the “other” side has it so much easier in the dating world. Everyone is looking for someone to blame or someone to yell at for...
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Updates (5/1)
Updates (5/1)
Well Osama’s dead.
Another hella busy work weak at Arena. A lot less fun stuff (award shows and opening nights). I’ll be in NYC (if you’re there, hit me, I’d LOVE to chill!) on Friday to hear Katori Hall’s Pussy Valley. It’s an interesting play and I’m excited to see the work she’s done on it. Charles Randolph-Wright’s SkinDiver starts its week long workshop on Sunday. It keeps...
April 2011
16 posts
5 tags
Clybourne Park wins the Pulitzer Prize for Drama
I wish I could say that I’m happy about this. I’m not. Not that I felt that someone else should’ve won (I’m actually not familiar with the other plays that got nominated) but more upset that this now gives this play more validity.
Again, don’t take that out of context. I like the play. I really do. I think it is an interesting story about loss. Exactly that, LOSS....
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Article Share: "Gates looks at black experience... →
This is a documentary I think everyone should check out. Not only is Henry Louis Gates a great scholar but this is an issue that has a lot of resonnance. The diaspora is often pitted against one another (due to the affects of racism and colonialism in general) but Gates’ documentary and this other kool documentary called ”AfroLations” really do a good job at showing how...
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Article Share: "Top Grossing African-American... →
Not really much to say here. Just check out the movies. Surprising what is in the top ten. Surprising what’s not (Tyler Perry! Thank God). Also interesting to see what the call an “African-American” comedy. I guess if you have a few key Blacks it’s an AA comedy. lol. What movies do you think should be on the list?
It’s also interesting to view this article as...
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Updates (4/25) and responses from last week's...
This week should be kool. I’m attending DC’s version of the Tony’s tonight. Our Managing Director paid for the tickets so I’m gonna go. Missed them last year so I’m excited to finally check them out. Producing mode will be in OVERTIME at work this week. There is a lot to get done on all my projects this week. We’ll have the Colored People’s Theatre casting...
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K.O.S. Determination: Response to judesview:... →
kosdetermination:
Tumblr only lets you answer with what, 120 characters? That ain’t enough to make a point.
In regards to Meagan Good’s upcoming role in “Video Girl”:
Some of the best character portrayals are negative. If they were shining examples of our race, then it wouldn’t make for a very interesting story….
Really enjoyed this response right here!
I agree that all portrayals...
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Cultural Borrowing or Cultural Appropriation: What...
Came across this post (shoutout to afrocentricmiss and colormysoul. So many good DMV blogs!) while going through my mrjdjude Dashboard.
I’ve never claimed to be a hip-hop head, on the contrary, I’ve openly and publicly stated that I’m NOT a hip-hop connoisseur.
What does “authenticity” mean in reference to Hip-Hop, an art form often based on “sampling” music from other...
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ARTICLE SHARE: "Meagan Good Stars In New Film... →
So I encourage you all to watch this clip. I’m very conflicted on this one. While I want to see more movies featuring Black actors and stories that normalize a Black experience, I’m not sure if I want this movie to come out. It reflects the hip-hop generation and I’m not sure if this is either an accurate or positive reflection (not all need to be positive but all need to be...
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Are Festivals That Big of a Deal?
This post is a continuation of a post I wrote on Arena’s New Play Blog.
I’ve really invested a lot of mental space (and there wasn’t really much there to start with) into thinking about festivals. In the #newplay world, it seems to be an integral part of what we do. Everyone is trying to get their plays to these festivals, administrators flock to them like they are some kind of...
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Molly Smith Metzler's Elemeno Pea
Molly Smith Metzler’s Elemeno Pea was by far my favorite play of the entire festival. Was it the most well written script? Probably not. Did it feature the best direction? No. Was I blown away by the performances? Not really? So then why was it my favorite? Because it spoke to so many experiences and it seemed like the only play that asked me questions without answering them before I had a...
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Updates for 4/18
So this week’s updates are little late but whatever.
I just got back from Denver. It was a GREAT trip. I went out there to continue conversations with a theater about a possible “Producer in Residence” position. Conversation went REALLY well and things look good. There is still some logistical (payment!) stuff to work out but it seems like this may be the next spot.
I say...
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BOB, The Devil at Noon, The Edge of Our Bodies and...
Sorry to flood you all at once with my Humana thoughts but I wanted to get them out this week. I’ll talk about the last piece tomorrow and a wrap-up Friday.
Peter Sinn Nachtrieb’s BOB is a very smart and well-written work. I also enjoyed the direction by Sean Daniels. The story is a commentary on American society. Follows an abandoned child (who was left in a bathroom of a White...
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Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them
I had the chance to see this play in Denver during the NNPN National Showcase of New Plays a while back. At the Showcase, it was presented in a stage reading and at Humana, the play was fully staged. While I really appreciate the staged readings, as an art form, and what it can do for plays, there is nothing like seeing a play fully staged; all of the added elements really bring a story to life in...
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Updates: Week of 4/11
Updates:
I think most of this week’s posts will focus on my trip to Humana a few weeks back. I’ll take a look at the plays, some artists and my overall feelings about festivals. I did a larger post on Arena’s New Play Blog so check that out for some context.
This week I’m headed out to Denver. I’ll get there late Thursday night. I’m super excited to go because...
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WatchSome of the kids from the elementary school singing the Negro National Anthem. Warms my heart to see them…at times… lol. Working with kids has its high moments and its low ones. Just this morning I had to pull a student aside who was having a rough morning. After “working it out” we went on to share a couple of good moments. I couldn’t imagine not working with the...
March 2011
15 posts
1 tag
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Modern Family: Best show on TV?
I’ve talked about how I love Modern Family all over my twitter account and on my other blog. I can’t help it. I think it is wonderfully written, so poignant, and most of all, funny as hell! What more can one want from a TV show?
Well that’s just it. Modern Family gives you all of that, plus some. It is the epitome of diversity. And it’s just not diverse for diversity’s sake. It...
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ARTICLE SHARE: "March Madness Race Wars and Jimmer... →
I’ve talked about white athletes before on this blog but this article by Buzz Bissinger is an interesting read. Here is a seemingly indignant white man who doesn’t understand why a great college player like Jimmer Fredette is receiving the type of hype that ‘s surronding him right now.
Granted, I like Jimmer. I think he is a cold-blooded shooter, and that is what wins in...
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Weekly Update
Check them out here
Over the weekend I was at the Humana Festival in Louisville, Kentucky. The annual festival, in its 35th year, was hosted by the Actors Theatre of Louisville. It was an interesting weekend and I plan on devoting a few blog posts or so to breaking down all of my thoughts. You can see some of the things I thought about, as well as other people tweeting during the “Industry...
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ARTICLE SHARE: "Classroom Heroes: D.C. Performer... →
I’m shouting out this article for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, for the artist that they are honoring. My homie Paige is an amazing actress, dancer, B-girl, teaching artist, motivator, etc. and this article doesn’t even begin to articulate just how much she means to the kids she serves. I’d also add that she motivates those she works with. I’ve been moved by...