Artist Statement

When people ask, “What do you do?” I tell them,”I help to heal souls through theatre.” My theatrical works focus on the importance of communities taking an active role in helping others to succeed; living by the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.”  Why is this important to me? I spent a good part of my life at my grandparents on Willow Street, in Pennsylvania. The elders and neighbors encouraged me, loved me, hugged me, worked me, and well – told on me. You better believe if I did something wrong, or did something positive, my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles heard about it. I was raised to be courteous and to give back more than I take. I was raised to strive for success and to teach someone along the way. I was raised to love myself and be who I was destined to be.  I learned many valuable lessons from my Willow Street family, and I laugh to this day thinking about picking weeds in an elders yard. I didn’t realize it back then, but today I appreciate what weed pulling taught me – patience, caring for others, and good “ole” conversation. Today, the voices of Willow Street, the lessons taught by my parents and my extended tribe shape my characters, and the lessons I learned are woven into each piece I write. It is my hope those who experience my work, will leave inspired, and return to their community and be a catalyst for positive change, therefore impacting the lives of others, just as my tribe inspired me.