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.
R. Prophet, former lead of the multi-platinum group Nappy Roots, has gotten a similar deal to Master P’s landmark deal. R. Prophet’s label, VVS Music 1, teamed up with Ray Hamilton (former CEO of Legion of Doom Dj’s) of That Rabbit Distribution in a joint venture with Sony Music Orchard to deliver his highly anticipated album, “THE VOICE.” The anticipated smash hit “Jesse James”, a single on the album, is sure to crash radio waves worldwide. R. Prophet’s witty lyrics also make reference to R. Kelly’s behavior, and some may even say it’s an R. Kelly diss.
The single “Jesse James” gives you NWA, going against the grain, rebel vibes. “I just want people to know my truth and how I’m really feeling. Some folks may think it’s a diss but it’s me speaking my truth. If Kelly takes this song as a diss, then that’s on him. He got a lot more to worry about then my upcoming #1 hit single,” says a very outspoken R. Prophet. “Jesse James” was inspired by the police brutality R. Prophet came face to face with a few years back. R. Prophet is an advocate against police brutality after surviving being tased 15 times at the hands of Kentucky State Police in which he was already reportedly awarded in a $1 million dollar judgment previously from the state of Kentucky. The single is a story of power, control, love and hate.
R. Prophet is currently signed to Public Relations Agency MayLee Media. For all press/media inquiries email deidre@mayleemedia.com Be sure to stay connect with R. Prophet on all social media platforms. Facebook.com/rprohet and Instagram.com/rprophetofficial
About R. Prophet: R. Prophet is an American Rapper, Actor and TV personality. Known by most as the former lead of Grammy Nominated Group, Nappy Roots, R. Prophet has been changing the music scene since the early 2000s. Currently R. Prophet is developing hip hop educational tools for children. He has also been acting and recording his solo album with hopes to raise awareness of police brutality. One of R. Prophet’s biggest honors, in addition to being nominated for two Grammys, is the appointment to the Board & Advisory Council of the Muhammad Ali Center where he serves as the youngest member alongside Diddy, Denzel Washington and more. Stay tuned for more to come with Rap Artist and Actor R. Prophet.
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 07: Geoffrey Owens attends the press launch for FringeNYC 2012 at the New School for Drama on August 7, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images)
Yesterday, I read a story about Geoffrey Owens. He was snapped at a Trader Joe’s ringing up customers. The picture was then aired in a report on Fox News and The Daily Mail shaming him for his current job status. I read the report and felt compelled to respond. Though I am a digital media entrepreneur, I am also a cashier, campus monitor, daycare van driver, pizza delivery man, mail room coordinator and deli clerk-per my “work” resume. My media and journalism resume read much differently and I’m proud of both.
At the age of 12, I started my first business: “Winfred’s Window Washing Service”. I worked that job until the age of 16 when I took a weekend job at a local insurance company.
My first “job” was at 14 when I began sacking groceries at Winn-Dixie. From there, I became a cashier and then a produce clerk. In college while in pursuit of my degree, I stocked groceries and scooped ice cream at a regional ice cream restaurant. Once I switched instruments, I was able to make a decent living playing music, which I currently do full-time. I’m always in search of the best opportunity and remain prepared to take advantage of whichever opportunity arises, first.
In 2012, I was offered the opportunity to travel to Japan. I was able to leave my job and return to work following the three plus weeks abroad. However when I returned, I noticed that my supervisor was harsh with me. The other employee in my department was coddled and treated with favoritism because he had little help while I was away. I left with full confidence that my job was safe, what I didn’t count on was the cold reception upon my return. I returned to Japan in 2013, unemployed at home. That year and the next year were trying times for myself and family. The dream, the accomplishments meant nothing with no prospective employment on the horizon.
As creatives, finding work can be one of the most excruciating and humbling experiences. Countless creatives must rely on entrepreneurship to sustain them as they audition, submit work, proposals, await callbacks and project start dates. Conversely, many traditional jobs don’t offer the temporary support many creatives need and their multiplicity of jobs in between “work” is viewed disparagingly as it were a bad credit score.
How do you fill in the blank explaining your long time off between jobs as: “worked as an extra for a feature film” or “toured as a lead guitarist for two years”? For those of us in the creative arts industry, when “work” is hard to come by we have to rely on “gigs” until we finally get the “job” which is more commonly acceptable for creatives of a certain, younger age. The older you get, it’s frowned upon and friends and family demand that you “grow up” and get a “serious” job.
Sometimes, a serious “job” can feed you and your family for years to come and create a secure future even unlike traditional work. A good album, residual royalties even regular touring and gigging as a musician can all provide in ways a 9-5 could never.-that’s the beauty of creativity. Unlike traditional work, creative work has a life-span that doesn’t always translate to lifelong financial security. During the length of time between work lapses, the issue of continuing education arises. Techniques change, laws change methods change, how is a creative expected to stay sharp without real-time work?
That’s where we found Mr. Geoffrey Owens last week when a woman rather ironically named “Karma” photographed him at work at a New Jersey Trader Joe’s dutifully cashiering at the grocer. Fox News and the Daily Mail made a story of the sighting which has since caused both a firestorm of fierce backlash and a tsunami of support for Owens. Known as “Elvin” on The Cosby Show the brilliant actor played the role of the oldest daughter Sondra’s (Sabrina LeBeauf) husband.
Since the Cosby Show, Owens has furthered his thespian work with appearances on numerous shows and films and various stints as a teacher/professor. As of last week, he’s also ringing up groceries! While much of the support for Owens says this don’t matter, I believe it does!
As a creative, we’re always working for or toward the next “job”. Paychecks and even the lack of paychecks are in no way indicative of our work prestige. The fact that Owens is at work at Trader Joe’s isn’t a problem, the thought that he couldn’t or even shouldn’t is.
Of all the conjecture surrounding the picture and report, no one has proof that he has to work at Trader Joe’s out of necessity. Even if he does “need” the job, when did gainful employment become news? Can you imagine that someone was wise and aware enough to know that a cum Laude graduate of Yale University who co-starred on one of America’s most remarkable sitcoms of the 80’s and most recognizable faces in television wouldn’t create enough of a stir to drive up consumer traffic and ultimately profits at the store?
He could work in a corporate setting, use his resume to become a casting director, writing coach, acting coach or anything else he could imagine. Instead, he’s a darn good cashier today! We have seen actors don and doff weight, change their hair color, grow beards and much more for their next role. Whether Owens’ latest job is for a role or not isn’t important. What is important is the life lessons for creatives and non-creatives alike.
Life goes on, regardless of your dubious or famous past- what you do with it is up to you! Many of us creatives work “day” jobs and dream at night. For many of us still striving, this is our reality. So, the next time you see your favorite Instagram comedian tearing your ticket at the movies,your favorite blogger/vlogger ringing you up or the next social media celebrity bringing you food, don’t take a picture…take a selfie! The dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately. You need to see us working hard! It’s grunt work, it’s dirty work and sometimes…it’s ugly work! Artists don’t have to starve and kudos to the men and women who are working to make sure that neither they nor their dream do!
We are teachers, gigging musicians, stockers, hairdressers, seamstresses, event planners, executive assistants, receptionists and transcend what the current job title insists. Regardless of the job, creatives like Geoffrey Owens will never be out of work!
Personal development, empowerment, and accountability are the focuses of the new From the Fire: Leadership Academy for Young Men operated by At the Well Conferences, Inc. – a provider of events for teens since 2009. The inaugural two-week boarding program is located on the campus of Princeton University and tailored to minority male students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds that are currently in the ninth, tenth or eleventh grades of high school. From the Fire seeks to cultivate scholars through Leadership Development, Mentoring, and an exceptional Rites of Passage program. From the Fire is currently accepting applications.
The Program Chair is the actor and director Delroy Lindo. He has provided memorable performances in films such as The Cider House Rules, Heist, Clockers, Crooklyn, Malcolm X, and Ransom. Lindo’s passion for the plight of minority boys is leading the actor to take an active role in the program’s development. Lindo states, “My hope is that the experience of From the Fire will give students a boost to take the next steps in whatever goals they have planned for their lives. I want this program to stand as a profoundly encouraging dynamic for our young people.” The keynote speaker is actor, producer, and humanitarian Danny Glover. Glover has been a commanding presence on screen, stage, and television for more than 25 years.
From the Fire’s curriculum and programming is research-based and designed by a team of educators and leaders with decades of experience in adult and young adult education, social change activism and community development. It is rooted in the spiritual and intellectual traditions forged in the justice struggles of African American and other global minorities. The program’s core beliefs and practices are guided by an indomitable faith in the courage, creativity, and potential of the students. The Leadership Development component will provide transformative education in the form of small group projects, critical reading and writing sessions, a financial aid and scholarship boot camp, dynamic speakers, and interactive leadership workshops.
Mentorship is offered as a form of “deep caring” in order to overcome widespread indifference to these most vulnerable young men. The program will welcome successful male leaders from across the country to serve as mentors for the students. Each participant will be paired with a mentor who receives training and the opportunity to attend the event’s Closing Ceremony at Princeton University. The program desires to develop relationships that flourish into a lifelong bond.
The Rites of Passage component will be a journey of self-discovery that unlocks the hidden resilience of the students as fundamental to their manhood. Included are a host of experiential activities that create and hone life skills. The program will end with a memorable Closing Ceremony and surprise guests.
Tuition and fees are $2,995 for the two week Academy and include boarding at Princeton University, curriculum, meals, and field trips. Full scholarships are available based upon need. Toby Sanders is the Co-founder and Director of Curriculum of From the Fire and holds a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. He states, “The young men who will attend From the Fire are the key to their own transformation. We are offering guidance and instruction that encourages these students to see the power within them and others.”
From the Fire will be held July 22-August 3, 2018 at Princeton University, Princeton, NJ. The application deadline is March 31, 2018. For more information and to apply, go to www.atthewellconferences.org.
