I’ve become a new Artistic Associate with a great Theatre Company Urban Theater Company. I am super excited about the work we are about to do as a team and the great things we have coming up. What is more exciting is the  great things the company does for Chicago. We are adding a light to a community of people not often shown in fine art, the urban community. UTC is committed to the creation and exploration of urban-inspired works that convey, illuminate and empathize with the human experience. Support us as we continue to grow and share  our stories!

I’ve been working on a great play written by Alonzo LaMont, directed by Chuck Smith, Zulu Fits with MPAACT Theatre Company.

This experience has been awesome. I love my cast and jumping into playing the little sister Neecee has been a trip. She is playful, fun and a bit careless. I hope you love her!

Here is a bit about the play:

Zulu Fits by Alonzo Lamont

Teenage internet sensations, “The Blow-Up Sistas,” decide to kidnap the black power advocate Jersey Jack Black from prison. The Sistas, their male cohort, and Jersey Jack Black all fall victim to a series of uncontrollable seizures Zulu Fits.
Zulu Fits appear to be connected to an enigmatic past and an uncertain future. When The Sistas reach Jersey Jack Black, his past, their present, and the mystery of Zulu Fits all converge and forge a new fiction for those with a revolutionary spirit.

September 16-November 7, 2010

 MPAACT – Downstairs Studio
2257 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (773) 404-7336
Website: www.greenhousetheater.org

Not everyone can act. Not everyone is talented. We are not all built for the constant challenge and growth of self it takes to be an artist. Some talent are just that and not artists, craftsman. For those of us who are it is our contribution to mankind, telling stories, maintaining humanity, for others it is seen as a meal ticket. Auditions are hard because you dont know why these others are in the room you just have to hope its all for the greater good and it doesnt matter who gets the role. Sometimes it doesn’t work that way and the person who lands the lead just wants the fame and glamour. Whatever happens auditions are out of our control. We must go into every one knowing we are enough, that we can tell the story. The kind of actor I want to be doesnt worry about the shape of my waist fitting the dress but does my life experience help illuminate hers? With each audition I feel like I have done my acting job for the day and brought my best truth to the character. Some auditions ask for less buts its up to you to add the integrity in your work. Don’t let the hot people distract you, work hard.

So this is just to my other soldiers in Auditionland. Keep on, Keeping on. We are fighting the good fight and there are only so many stories to go around so far, So to my writers keep writing, myself included. We all need a story to tell.

So I never thought I’d be singing, like ever, but I’m in a musical! I’ll be in CHICAGOLAND by Ike Holter and Kelly Kerwin at the Chopin Theater April 22-24, at 10:30 pm. Its an insane crazy journey through Chicago and its many inhabitants. Hope you come see me in my Weiner Cicle gear spitting hot rhymes. Its late so you have NO EXCUSE! Yo, can you spot me in this pic? Am I that brown?

I will be in the Strapped Play Festival as part of Ike Holter and Ryan Bourque’s ” The Great Depression.”  I will be with the mighty ensemble which features William Gillespie, Andrew Goetten, Jared Green, Rashaad Hall, Anna Rose Epstein, McKenzie Yeager and me!

Depression concerns a wide eyed optimist named Chuck (Played by Nic Demearis) as waits for an el-train to take him home from his graduation ceremony downtown. During the wait, he meets Molly (Briana DeGuardia), a recently fired secretary.

From then on it’s the oldest story in the book; guy meets girl, girl is suicidal, boy tries to stop girl from killing herself, people sing—you know, pretty standard Arthur Miller style drama here.

Please come support this and the other 6 amazing shorts March 25-28.

For more information click here

I am currently playing Mrs. Johnson in the cast of Depaul University’s production of A Raisin in the Sun. It is truely an awesome experience knowing that not only is it the 50th anniversary of the play, but  also showing at the original theatre Sidney Poitier stood on, The Blackstone. This story is one of hope, loss, community, family, money. It is full of a family’s ambition and dreams. I am encouraging any and everyone who is a Chicago native to come see it and realize the drastic connections between 1953 and today. The pressure of gentrification and racism are only a few factors in the journey of this family. Come see and draw from it a spirit that cannot be denied, but expounded upon.

Cast:

Ruth Younger–McKenzie Chinn
Walter Lee Younger–Levenix Riddle
Travis Younger–Elijah Griffin
Beneatha Younger–Kristin Ellis
Lena “Mama” Younger–Brittani Green
Joseph Asagai–Sean Parris
George Murchison–Chris Boykin
Mrs. Johnson–Shannon Matesky
Karl Lindner–James Gasber
Bobo–Nicholas Harper

To recieve tickets and information visit:

http://theatreschool.depaul.edu/theatre_school_showcase_0910_raisin.php