When the lights came up on the final night of my play Emergence-See! at a small New York Theater Festival, stage & screen legend Ruby Dee stood with tears in her eyes and I knew my journey with the play would change. After years of self financed workshops and knocking on countless doors to no avail, this artist/activist who is considered "The Queen" in the African-American community and revered as a incredible talent in others was telling me she believed in my voice as an artist and felt "my work should be performed in stadiums."
Two years later after traveling with Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis to the Kennedy Center and around the country, Ruby Dee presents my play Emergence-See! in Harlem on February 28, 2006. We had nearly 3000 reservations for a 750 seat theater, and who is in the audience but Oskar Eustis, the Artistic Director of The Public Theater. He offers me a contract on the spot.
Less than a year later I am performing my solo play Emergence-See! at The Public under the precise direction of Kenny Leon (Broadway's A Raisin in the Sun & Gem of The Ocean.) Dreams do come true!
As an artist, I am interested in exploring the truth that we are all connected. We all have white bones, we all long to have our dreams realized, to love and be loved. In my play, a slave ship rises out of the Hudson River in front of the Statue of Liberty in 2006. Like this metaphor all the of plays' characters have to face obstacles floating in front of their freedom. Over the course of 90 minutes, I play 43 diverse NY characters responding to this unexpected phenomenon and how it affects their personal journeys to be free—free to love, be who they truly are, make their lives beautiful.
As I developed this play over the past six years, I envisioned diverse audiences enjoying the play and being provoked to laughter, tears, and personal exploration. As audiences flock to Emergence-See! at The Public, I am moved by the sea of faces looking back at me and by the heartfelt responses each night. I am moved because of the confirmation that we each have a unique story to tell, that the way to the universal is through the personal, and that when we our purpose is clear and we do not give up, our stories will be heard.
To purhase tickets to Emergence-See! visit www.publictheater.org