Originally slated for two shows, the Jubilee Theatre stage debut of “Bone Soup: A Kwanzaa Story” has been increased to four shows across its debut weekend
Acting With Mrs. Davis & Jubilee Theatre have announced a collaboration presenting “Bone Soup: A Kwanzaa Story” written by “Culture Queen” Jessica Smith Hebron and directed by ShaVonne Davis. Show performances coincide with the 2023 Kwanzaa celebration and conclude this year’s impressive lineup of shows presented at Jubilee under the artistic direction of D. Wambui Richardson. This unique opportunity affords a crop of high school-aged aspiring thespians the chance to use their creativity to educate and inform the community about Kwanzaa through acting, singing, dancing and other artistic expressions. This presentation of “Bone Soup” is the culmination of a free after-school musical theatre program for underserved youth in Fort Worth. Mrs. ShaVonne Davis, a locally known theatre educator and recipient of a 2021 BeyGood Grant from Beyonce Carter and the NAACP serves as Director. ShaVonne Davis is a Fort Worth native and proud graduate of HBCU Clark Atlanta University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts. Davis provides daytime and after-school theatre arts enrichment for various Fort Worth ISD campuses and local theatres. This youth production of “Bone Soup” furthers the goal of providing underserved youth equity in access to high-quality, free arts enrichment programs and opportunities.
Acting With Mrs. Davis teaches the transformative power of creative expression as a means of juvenile crime abatement. Many of the students experience unprecedented opportunities to explore the arts and discover a world beyond their imagination under Davis’ guidance. By the close of each program, students, learners, and artists are steps closer to destiny than they were when they began. At the bedrock of this historic collaboration is a desire to develop an interest in the arts, create performing artists to fill imminent opportunities, and ultimately, deepen the pool of local talent from which the Jubilee Theatre seeks to draw. In “Bone Soup: A Kwanzaa Story,” the citizens of Culture Kingdom use the seven principles of Kwanzaa to uplift their community with the celebration and implementation. Though not a traditional holiday, Kwanzaa was first observed in 1966 and is the original idea of Maulana Ron Karenga, activist, author, and professor of Africana. The tenets of personal and community advancement woven into “Bone Soup” teach both participants and partakers. Experience the enchantment of “Bone Soup” on Friday, December 29th, or Saturday, December 30th at the matinee or night performance.
Watch ShaVonne Davis on WFAA Midday with Tashara Parker
“Bone Soup: A Kwanzaa Story” is a magical play about the citizens of Culture Kingdom who use the seven principles of Kwanzaa to uplift their community.
Known for its iconic founder and ongoing productions, Jubilee Theatre is increasing its investment in the community with the advent of youth programming. This production powered by a youth-led ensemble is made possible in part due to the magic of Mrs. ShaVonne Davis, Acting With Mrs. Davis and Maroon 9 Community Enrichment Organization. Mrs. Davis extends her gratitude to The City of Fort Worth, North Texas Community Foundation, Arts Fort Worth, and United Way Tarrant County for their generosity and support of her work. These proponents of the Arts help make programs like hers a perennial success.
Ticket sales for “Bone Soup: A Kwanzaa Story” are underway and can be purchased at Eventbrite.
Local Small Business Awarded with Big Helping Hand from BeyGOOD and the NAACP.
Theatre Teaching Artist & Acting Coach ShaVonne Banks-Davis and her company Acting With Mrs. Davis got a huge lift from Beyoncé Carter’s BeyGOOD foundation and the NAACP. NAACP Empowerment Programs in union with BeyGOOD’s Black-Owned Small Business Impact Fund united to expand economic opportunity by awarding grants of $10,000 on the 15th of each month through the end of 2020. After a friend told Davis about the fund mere days before the deadline, she hurried, applied, and is beyond grateful to be etched in history as one of its recipients. For the Fort Worth native, the honor of this grant is personally inspiring on many levels.
“I am absolutely a Beyonce’ fan and I am most certainly in the “Bey-Hive”! I admire how a Texas girl can start from the bottom, rise to success, and give back to the community. I desire to do the same through my love for Theatre Arts and working with youth. It is such an honor for my work to be highlighted and supported by Beyoncé and the NAACP.”
ShaVonne Banks-Davis
Through Acting With Mrs. Davis, ShaVonne Banks-Davis seeks to impact change within communities throughout the DFW area, nationally and even globally, saying, “There are so many life skills to be learned from the study of Theatre. It is not only acting, but public speaking, critical thinking, team-building, culture, and self-confidence are all by-products of the academia of Theatre.” Upon returning from Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts, the Fort Worth native taught in the Fort Worth, Dallas, and Grand Prairie School Districts. While teaching, she realized the potency with which she could reach her students, their shared love of Theatre Arts.
After spending time in Davis’ classroom, students with no experience and no initial interest in Theatre were soon performing for the community, winning Theatre competitions, and being accepted into advanced Fine Arts programs. This momentous joy punctuates Davis’ vision for her company. Acting With Mrs. Davis is a rescue for many children who regularly experience the heartbreak of having to discontinue their pursuit (of Theatre/Acting) because they can’t afford youth acting programs. Davis learned firsthand while teaching at-risk youth that the challenge is seldom interest, the real challenge is affordability. Knowing that many parents can’t afford extra-curricular enrichment programs is at the heart of Acting With Mrs. Davis’ activism through the arts.
Her teen group ended the year strong with a virtual production of “Bone Soup: A Kwanzaa Story” which aired live on Facebook. It’s no mystery that after spending time in Davis’ classroom, students with no experience and no initial interest in Theatre are soon budding thespians with their sights set on a future on stage.
“There are so many life skills to be learned from the study of Theatre. It is not only acting, but public speaking, critical thinking, team-building, culture, and self-confidence are all by-products of the academia of Theatre.”
ShaVonne Banks-Davis
Acting With Mrs. Davis endeavors to pay it forward, ensuring that cost will never be a deterrent to youth experiencing an opportunity to learn and love theatrical expression. Thanks to the NAACP’s Empowerment Programs partnership with BeyGOOD’s Black-Owned Small Business Impact Fund, Acting with Mrs. Davis will provide free virtual Theatre Arts classes for children ages 2-18 beginning with its spring season which begins in February.
“I really hope that the recognition provides more opportunities and collaborations with other like-minded individuals and organizations so I can expand my programs for the community. There is so much hidden talent in our community and our youth need a creative outlet to express themselves.”
ShaVonne Banks-Davis
Mrs. Davis also plans to make a scholarship donation to the Maroon 9 Virtual Fine Arts Competition and is currently conceptualizing the 2nd Annual DFW Virtual Youth Enrichment Summit for Middle and High School students. The funds will also aid in the planning and preparation for the “Youth Need Love” summer program for previously adjudicated youth.
When asked who’d she like to thank, Davis began, “I want to thank my parents, family, and friends for motivating me to enter the field of education and encouraging me to start Acting With Mrs. Davis. I want to thank every single student that I have taught for showing me the magic that can happen through Theatre Arts and helping me to recognize my gift. I also want to thank Clark Atlanta University and my favorite Professor, the late Carol Mitchell-Leon for showing me the tools to be a compassionate educator and leader. I live by the CAU motto, “I will find a way or make one.””
To learn more about Mrs. Davis, Acting With Mrs. Davis or sign up for classes, visit: www.actingwithmrsdavis.com.
2-weeks of free virtual workshops for Middle School and High School students
Theatre Educator & Program Director ShaVonne Banks-Davis is hosting the DFW Virtual Youth Enrichment Summit via Zoom from 4:00pm to 5:30pm until Friday, August 7, 2020. The online event features 2-weeks of free virtual workshops for middle school and high school students. The workshops are being taught by members of the Facebook Group, “DFW Black Mentors & Youth Organizations”. Over 50 students have registered and are participating in daily discussions and workshops on the topics of social justice, culture, leadership, and life skills.
“If the future lies in the hands of the young people who are attending the DFW Virtual Youth Enrichment Summit…we are good! They are so smart, ready, and aware.”
ShaVonne Banks-Davis, Organizer & Host
Through the support of Big Thought and the Dallas City of Learning, the event is free to all who register. Their support also provided the opportunity to give back to the community by being able to compensate the highly qualified Workshop Presenters for their expertise and contribution to the summit.
For full event details and registration, click here.
The DFW Virtual Youth Enrichment Summit provides a safe platform for youth to express themselves, meet other students, and engage in interactive workshops. The summit began on July 27 with a discussion entitled, “Being Black in the 21st Century” where students shared experiences and commented on topics such as police brutality, racism, and attending Historically Black Colleges & Universities. Over the duration of the summit, participants will explore areas such as creative expression, goal-setting, self-care, and healthy relationships.
“If only they knew how much I appreciate what this organization is doing to educate and inspire the next generation. Thank you Mrs. ShaVonne Banks-Davis and much success for the DFW Virtual Youth Enrichment Summit for years to come.”
Michael Guinn, MSW & National Spoken Word Artist
ShaVonne Banks-Davis with Acting With Mrs. Davis collaborated with the Maroon 9 Sickle Cell Support Organization to create the DFW Virtual Youth Enrichment Summit. Maroon 9 is dedicated to working with community partners to create free or low cost endeavors that support arts in the community, spread awareness about Sickle Cell Disease, and highlight important topics.
Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church in Garland, Texas invites you the Christmas Musical Drama, Written by Pastor Leonard O. Leach, The Scandal That Saved Us! Saturday, December 15th at 2pm and Sunday, December 16th, 8am & 11am. The Scandal That Saved Us tells the story of the Virgin Birth. Heavenly speaking, it was a miracle. Humanly speaking, it was a SCANDAL!
The production also includes original music and features the Mt. Hebron Worship & Fine Arts Ministry. The Scandal That Saved Us, this weekend ON THE MOUNT and its FREE!
MUSICAL STAGEPLAY TO BRING 1930’S ACTRESS HATTIE MCDANIEL BACK TO LIFE IN AN AWARD-WINNING PERFORMANCE IN SAN FRANCISCO
Hattie McDaniel was the first African American actor to win an Oscar for her performance in “Gone With the Wind” in 1940.
A one-woman musical stageplay in her legacy, “Hattie McDaniel… What I Need You to Know!” starring Vickilyn Reynolds, will premiere in the Bay Area at the Cowell Theatre from June 21 to 24, 2018.
The late Hattie McDaniel (left) and actress Vickilyn Reynolds (right)
Rich-Rey Productions LLC has announced the Bay Area premiere of Hattie McDaniel… What I Need You To Know! starring actress Vickilyn Reynolds as Hattie McDaniel, the trailblazing Gone with the Wind Academy Award-winner. Hattie McDaniel…, directed by Byron Nora, will perform from June 21 – 24, 2018 at the Cowell Theatre located within the Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture (2 Marina Blvd, Landmark Building C, Suite 260, San Francisco, CA 94123).
“I am very excited to open in San Francisco,” said Vickilyn Reynolds. “I had such a great time when I was there with the tour of George C. Wolfe’s Bring in da noise, Bring in da funk. The people of San Fran are a kind and giving audience and I look forward to this run there.”
Hattie McDaniel… What I Need You To Know! takes the audience on a dramatic musical journey exploring Hattie’s life from her early childhood, her relationship with her family and her difficult decision to leave and move to Los Angeles. Audiences will witness her pursuit of artistic dreams during a time filled with racism and segregation. director
In addition to Ms. Reynolds and Mr. Nora (Director who also serves as Lighting and Set Designer), the creative team includes Alyssa Champo (Stage Manager), A. Lee Reynolds (Executive Producer), Kevin Mayes (Costume Designer), Mylette Nora (Costume Designer) and Shelia Dorn (Wig Design).
Attendees to the musical stageplay are encouraged to dress up in 1930’s attire.
How to attend:
Tickets range from $25 – $100 and can be purchased online at www.fortmason.org/event/hattie-mcdaniel-play/, by calling (415) 345-7500, by sending an email to ticketing@fortmason.org or in-person at the Box Office.
(To inquire about sponsorship opportunities or ad placements in the program, call 562-381-0594.)
Critical Acclaim for Hattie McDaniel… What I Need You To Know!
“[Vickilyn Reynolds] makes McDaniel such a likable presence that it’s a pleasure to spend some time in her company.” — The New York Times
“Vickilyn Reynolds is a vocal powerhouse.” — Dan Bacalzo, TheaterMania.com
“If ever a woman were born to portray pioneering Denver actress Hattie McDaniel, it’s this gardenia-wielding doppelganger.” — The Denver Post
“Actress/singer Vickilyn Reynolds aims to expand the public’s knowledge and appreciation of her with the riveting one-woman powerhouse show.” — Huffington Post
This weekend, R&B superstar KeKe Wyatt joins the cast of “When My Heart Stopped” co-starring in two amazing shows at Fort Worth’s Scott Theatre. Starring in the play are: Ronald Clemons, Desiree King & Michelle Thomas, which is written, directed and produced by HMPA visionary, Jeanette Greenwood.
Play synopsis:
A Husband & Wife struggles to stay together after the death of their child. After several attempts of counseling and therapy it seems as if they cannot bounce back. When Grief counseling starts to cause grief…what else can you do?
Grief counseling helps but not when new love interests arise… This is an interactive production with 5 of the Top Grief counselors coming to support the project.
About Headline Mentors &Performing Arts
Headline Mentors & Performing Arts is a 501c3 non-profit organization serving Tarrant and surrounding counties. Headline Mentors & Performing Arts was founded by Visionary Jeanette Greenwood in January 2009. Headline Mentors started in 2001 as a tutoring agency. Jeanette Greenwood alone tutored underprivileged youth in reading. She would use her home and libraries to assist youth in reading.
Jeanette dreamed of offering services to the community and assist at-risk communities with any and all communities needs from, hunger, poverty, low-self esteem, lack of self-worth, educational deficiencies and family bonding.
Headline Mentors & Performing Arts currently partner with the Tarrant County Community Youth Development (CYD) Program which consist of 5 agencies HMPA Inc. (Headline Mentors & Performing Arts), Big Brothers & Big Sisters, N.I.C.A,Boys & Girls Club & Girls Inc. All part of a juvenile prevention program aimed atprevented at-risk youth from entering the juvenile system by providing FREE servicesto youth in targeted areas.
Headline Mentors & Performing Arts provide mentoring to both youth and adults in the performing arts. We take the performing arts and use it to channel negative energy while bringing positive results in the lives of those we mentor.
Headline Mentors & Performing Arts teach life-skills and acting which is now their biggest attention grabber for youth of all demographics and economic status! Acting for A Greater Cause program now serves the 76106/76164 and looking to share our programs with more communities.
