Our 12th A La Carte is TOMORROW!
When I set out to create a place for people to talk about theater I got a lot of naysayers. ”Who wants to sit around a room and talk about theater?” ”What’s the point?” Well, 12 A La Cartes later and I hope people see the point. The A La Cartes are part promotional platform for artist and theater companies, part networking, part educational and a whole lotta fun! We’ve had healthy debates, tantilizing food and great panelist that shared their experiences and expertise! The pièce de résistance is our audience! If it wasn’t for you; we wouldn’t be able to create programs that explore the “behind-the-scenes” look into the world of theater.
As I reflect on this year, I am thankful for our huge supporters. The Bronzeville & North Kenwood Community and my theater family! Without you all this year we would have not had the energy, creativity and perservance to keep things going. The Tofu Chitlin’ Circuit looks forward to seeing you all tomorrow as we PARTY like its’ 2009! Thank you for all of your support; we can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on for next year!
Sydney & Elise
C0-Founders of The Tofu Chitlin’ Circuit
Our devoted sponsors!
The Digital Youth Network
An urban calendar of events produced by Stephanie Green
Faie African Art Gallery located in Bronzeville
Ayana Contreras authors this funky, hip website!
OMG! I can’t belive it! Did you see this? Shawn Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett-Smith have done something REVOLUTIONARY! I can’t believe it! These hip moguls have done the ultimate in “supporting the arts” by signing up to be the newest producers of “Fela!” currently running on Broadway.
This is a huge leap for theater; especially black theater. When black producers with such clout and a huge built in audience decide to back a project like this you know it’s got to be special. I think everybody should see this show. It should be just as massive as ‘RENT’ or ‘WICKED’. We have to support our own. The arts aint dead yet! Read the review here and let me know what you think! I’m really going to squeeze some penies together to see this show. Not because they told me too, but because I love Fela the artist and this looks like a wild ride!
This little light of mine…I’m gonna let it shine. I remember singing this song as a child and wanting to let my light shine so that people would see my good works. I was thinking about this song and going back to church or as one of my students like to call it “Chuuch!” I thought about Tyler Perry’s road to wealth, fame, and a mega-following. He started out in the church; wrote a piece about the women folk in his life and has been hearing “Cha-Ching!” all the way to the bank. But it’s not about the money of course, it’s about the audience that he had when he brought his work to the people; instead of asking them to come to him. (That’s a whole ‘nuther topic altogether.)
I thought about this last month when I went to see PJ Morton, a soul-stirring, genuine, passionate and uplifting singer from Atlanta by way of New Orleans. PJ, as I like to call him, had a unique upbringing. His mother and father are both ministers to “mega-churches.” And for a while, the critics thought that PJ should sing “sacred” songs due to his upbringing. He of course challenges these critics here:
Anyway, he persevered and I truly believe his ministry in those songs of love, devotion, triumph and pain move people in ways, even if you don’t go to church on Sunday, anyone could receive.
PJ has a loyal following. He has a serious “church” following from what I’m told. A lotta “you betta sang PJ!” going on in the concert. A lotta background added vocals from his parishioners I mean, concert goers. But did he do it right? Did he start in the sacred of institutions to build a fan base? I love PJ and I’m not one of the people that he would normally see on a Sunday afternoon. But for some reason, I’m moved by his work. His honesty, integrity, redemption, encouragement and love illuminates through his songs.
I often wonder about that. How do I create an audience base when no one really knows me? Is church the option? Will my light shine bright enough for people to follow it? What do I have to say that will move people to join my vision? Now, I’m not trying to make going to church trite but most of the plays that I’ve seen lately have a very large church member following. I just want to know how do I get people to hear my words, believe in my passion and support me the same way many artist in music and theater have? Help me out here. What do you think? And in the meantime, I’m going to work on my vision. Someones gotta hear me. “If you build it, then they will come!”
My niece, Jayla loves Michael Jackson. How this phenomenon happened is beyond me. For some reason she heard the music and was transfixed like so many of us. I drove my grandmother to see my two nieces and sister about a month ago and this is how the story goes.
My sister turns on MJ’s Don’t Stop (Till you get Enough) and my niece looks around like she’s obligated to perform and is not really happy about it. She sits around for a moment and then decides to move. After Don’t Stop. my sister plays Thriller and this is when Jayla looses it. She’s dancing, jumping, moving around to the beat (Yes, she can follow the beat. See the rapping vid after the jump.) But anyway, my sister walks out to grab something from her car and my niece follows her. Now keep in my 70+ year old, Sanctified grandmother is sitting there trying to look amused but is bemused by all of the noise so I decide to turn it off. I reach up and turn off the song as my niece, baby bully, comes running back into the living room and starts yelling at me. “You turned down?” “You turned down?” “No, Jayla, I turned it off, you walked away…it was too loud.” “Don’t turn Jackson down!” “Down turn Jackson down!” I never take Jayla’s rants for granted she’s a Capricorn and super serious at times; especially when someone has made her mad. She was striking her fist in her hand as if she was going to hit me. She very very upset. This tiny tyke all of 2 was really upset, but I can’t help but analyze it as a theatrical performance!
This uninhibited, unabashed two-year old had taught her aunt a lesson. She had me question my own directing visions. How do I get my fellow actors to express such raw, uninhibited emotions on stage? How do I not stiffle their instincts? Should I just turn on MJ and let it rip? I wish I could have filmed this rant but she probably would have stopped. Which got me to thinking about my own work. Because I didn’t go to the best university for directing, many people won’t see my work or know who I am. Would recordings of my plays validate my directing in the same way that it would if I was in a LORT house? Or any house for that matter? I don’t know…in the meantime, enjoy my nieces performance!
Don’t Stop!
Jayla Raps:
I’m really bad at this blog. I simply can’t seem to be consistent with it when I have so many other things to do. By day, theater teacher to the stars. My little shining stars at the University of Chicago Charter School (NKO campus) and by night, part-time theater critic for Soleil’s To-Do and Co-Founder of The TCC.
I love theater, I really do. All of it. From the gum under the seat to the sticky floors to the graffiti bathrooms in seedy places. I love it all and I really miss it. It’s been about a year since I’ve directed a play. You’re probably wondering what have I been doing in that time? I had a baby. Not a human baby but a theater conservatory I like to call The Tofu Chitlin’ Circuit.
Here I go, starting over it seems with a new project called “Black Thang” by Ato Essandoh. I’m really excited and nervous about it. Will people like it? Will I be able to cast it? Will people see the passion, love and respect for theater I have in this piece? Will I be able to step out of the way to create a work that speaks to my vision as a director?
My baby is developing, we’re in the crawling phase. Well not quite crawling yet, but kinda like that side ways,Vietnam elbow to the ground on your stomach drag. I’m quiet humbled by the experience, the people and the creators grace this year, it’s taught me a lot about focus, strength and determination.
While you ponder your year and what it has brought to you, ponder this-sometimes we have to crawl back to what we love. It’s the only way to enter into your greatness.
(And although Chris Brown may be going through his own trails, I really thought the song was powerful. Even if he didn’t write it or even if it’s a sorta apology to Rihanna and all the many fans he’s hurt or lost. He’s starting over…shouldn’t we as humans have a little bit of compassion? Enjoy the words.)
I found out last week that I’m allergic to peanuts, shrimp, sesame seed and believe it or not soybean. Now, I’ve been eating soy for awhile…I even named a company after it. So you can imagine the lack of options I currently have. I don’t eat red meat or any type of scavenger fish so what is a girl to do? I guess I’ll have to eat by bread and water alone or maybe Mr. Donuts; a Korean donut company that is made with tofu. I didn’t know that tofu had so many options! While I was perusing videos on youtube I found this. I still like tofu and I may have to get a second opinion about eating it but in the mean time, check out this video.
Hey Circuiteers,
The Tofu Chitlin’ Circuit is back with another thought-provoking conversation that’s sure to rustle some senators and shoe-throwin’ journalist! Artist were known for speaking out against the injustices of the time. But what happens when
the funding is cut, government sanctions become law and overall fear settles? Is the artist voice still valid? Join in the discussion and stay for a scene from “Ten Square,” the highly anticipated production by MPAACT THEATRE and PEGASUS PLAYERS THEATRE!
WHEN: Monday, September 28, 2009
WHERE: The Digital Youth Network
1050 E 47th Street
Chicago, IL 60653
TIME: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
DONATION: $3
So you like comedy right? Well, who doesn’t! Seems like comedy is possibly the most attractive genre in film, tv and theater right now. Just look at the success of The Hangover or any film with Seth Rogen. These guys won’t be at our next event, but we have a great line-up of comedians and sketch groups as we ask the question: What’s the Funny? Exploring comedy with stand-up comics and sketch groups. Join us for the Watermelon Edition. Watermelon Martinis & Margaritas will be served!
Our summer was a huge success with Shish Kabob’s and Popcorn. Here I’m sharing pictures of our summer Family Reunion. Enjoy the photos!
