One woman’s quest to end youth violence through the arts has taken on a new meaning after a deadly shooting on the west side of Fort Worth. ShaVonne Davis is a Theatre Teaching Artist concerned with the way youth in Fort Worth “act.” This goes well beyond behavior, but the expression of their aspirations as well as frustrations. Davis began her “Conflict Resolution Through Theatre” workshops as a pathway to deter youth from fighting and gun violence that affect both school time and after-school interactions. Following a drive-by shooting on the city’s west side, Davis is again acting with compassion.
Neighbors in the Las Vegas Trail neighborhood said they’re shaken up and worried about everyone’s safety following the shooting Wednesday night.
ShaVonne Davis talks about her conflict resolution workshop in the Las Vegas Trail area of Fort Worth.
The surge in peer-to-peer violence has revealed a startling truth: both the victims and the perpetrators are younger than before. The “Conflict Resolution Through Theatre” workshop recognizes the need for intervention and works to prevent future violence by teaching young people conflict-resolution techniques that resolve disputes in safe and non-violent ways. Juvenile deaths from gun violence outnumber those from auto accidents, suicide, and other forms of homicide. No life is expendable and, with a renewed sense of the preciousness of life, students may find themselves working to help preserve life instead of harming each other.
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 through her love of Theatre Arts. Mrs. Davis has led numerous community initiatives that provide citizens with access to food, clothing, toys, life skills, and much more. Maroon 9 Community Enrichment Organization and Acting With Mrs. Davis regularly collaborate to host programs to avert juvenile delinquency and steer youth in the direction of a future replete with possibilities for life beyond high school.
Davis’ youth acting troupe, “Kids Acting with Purpose” is preparing for a production of “Harriet Tubman: Take My Hand and Follow Me” written by Kathryn Schultz-Miller this summer and is still riding high on the heels of four sold-out shows of “Bone Soup: A Kwanzaa Story” at Fort Worth’s historic Jubilee Theater. When asked what drives her passion and desire to reach youth through theatre arts, Davis said, “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.”
In 2023, Davis held a symposium on teen violence at Southwest High School which gave students a chance to speak with law enforcement and community leaders about the rise in violent crime among teenagers. Davis began this year teaching her conflict resolution workshop at LVT Rise community center in the area where the shooting happened and looks forward to continuing programming throughout the city.
For more information about Kids Acting With Purpose or how to bring the “Conflict Resolution Through Theatre” workshop to your school, community center, or church, contact Mrs. ShaVonne Davis at 682-200-9261
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.
