Last month, I had the distinct honor of performing in a generational shifting stage play, entitled, “Black is Eternal”. Produced by husband and wife power duo, Vincent & Ebony Powell.
Before I begin the post performance debrief, there is gold to uncover in how my name was ever added to the playbill. A friend of mine taught me the code to live by, “book your next gig while you are on your current gig.” That’s exactly what happened.
While prepping for a Juneteenth activation for my full time job, I shared casual conversation with the BIE producer and director. At the time, I was blissfully unaware of the magnitude of his work. The depth, the significance, the immortality of this play, I was blind to it. I’ve learned that sometimes, this works to my advantage.
It’s hard to shrink my way out of something I don’t understand the enormity of. I listened to the producer mention how hard he’s working to balance the demands of Juneteenth while directing this play. My ears perked at the thought of joining this balancing act. Again, I just go where the wind leads me. “It’s no use arguing with the wind.” to quote the classic Carmen Jones.
I said to him, “Well you know I have a strong command of the English language…” in an attempt to sell myself. He immediately complied. “Well, good–come to rehearsal tomorrow.”
Yikes! Tomorrow–that’s so soon. Again, this is what I get for wielding that gift of gab. Yapping right into my next big break. No regrets. No excuses. I’d already done the leg work of being a bit more visible by raising my hand. Now, it was time to move my feet.
There is a characteristic quickness about our destiny. When it calls, when it pulls–there is a sense of urgency. That feels just right. Never rushed beyond rationale. However, it’s speedier than the voice of doubt. Too much time to ponder and you’ve talked yourself out of your blessing. A perfect middle ground necessary to follow your voice and your voice only.
Starting the next day and the following two weeks, I embarked on a journey I never saw for myself. Rehearsals every week, that escalated to every night. Wardrobe. Mastering the choreography. Of course, I couldn’t just “be in the play.” I had to utilize myself all over. Leveraging all the talents I possess that bring glory to the stage.
I’d always dreamed of being in a stage play. I missed out on taking drama in high school, simply because Journalism had my heart. This was the window of opportunity I needed to explore that swimlane.
This experience taught me so much about humility and the sacred art of performance. The dedication, the compassion and the courage of the Black voices we as the ensemble embodied. I had the distinct pleasure of reciting poetry from Alice Walker’s “To Change the World Enough.” While also paying homage through dance to the legendary Beyonce and Sam Cook with “Bigger” and “Change Gone Come.” The most fulfilling performance however, was narrating the 1856 Independence Day speech delivered by Frederick Douglass. Time travel unlocked with just our voices.
To sum up the way this experience transformed me, I put it into poetry.
Black is Eternal Is___
How we invite pain to have a seat next to joy.
It’s all the evidence–with no explanation.
It’s an outright refusal to be erased.
A birthright to life after death.
The elimination of death altogether.
It’s the echo of freedom in the key of forever.
A generational curse canceled by a blessing.
It’s a ritualistic response.
Black is Eternal extends Juneteenth into July.
It’s unveiling the golden truth despite the sad lie.
An exposé on how our creativity…
conquers
corrects
cements.
7972 films presents:
Black is Eternal. ✨
I have the deepest heartfelt gratitude for everyone involved in making this play a stand-out success. We had sold out shows and an energetic four-day run at the historic DeLuxe Theater in Houston. This was my theatrical debut. This was a dream deferred that finally came to pass.
The dance world is not through with me yet. I’m honored that the theater world took a chance on me as well. This is an experience I will not soon forget.
-acp
