All of those searches lead you HERE! I have to personally say that The Tofu Chitlin’ Circuit is not just a labor of love…it’s my LIFE and I’ve been directing plays and preparing for next year’s events!

Thank you all for supporting me! I try to update the FAN page on Facebook and looked today to find out we have over 800 followers!  We’ve made a huge milestone with our list so WE’RE HAVING A PAR-TAY!  Check back here for more details. I can’t thank you enough!

Dopeness!

Wow! I have had a world wind experience for the past 3 months. I wrote, rehearsed and performed my first ever one-woman show called I Do for Congo Square Theatre’s Festival on the Square.  I Do was about Naima, a 30-something woman on the brink of marriage, has cold feet.  She tries to gain advice from her saucy sister Ravi and her level-headed best friend Karen. I played all three characters. Unfortunately the video nor the pictures came out.  So I really don’t have anything to show here. But I plan on performing it again.  Surprisingly I wasn’t nearly as nervous on stage as I thought I’d be.

In March, I wrote and directed a piece for WBEZ Public Radio‘s Alternative Theatre History Off-Air Series called Baba Wole. Baba Wole centers around a ritual sacrifice at The Goodman Theatre in 1979 during the production of Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman.

Photo Credit: Jerry Schulman From Left to Right: Kenyetta Benton (Dancer), Obari Cartman (Drummer), Marc Rogers, Jim Shinkle, Kimm Beavers, Tiffany Williams, Keinika Carlton, LaNisa Frederick

I was doing so good with this blog and all of a sudden got caught in deadlines and rehearsals. So what’s new? I am working with several directors from around the world in an installation for About Face Theater, Hypocrites, and Collaboration’s The Woyzeck Project.  We are calling our production “W.” The directors hail from Germany, Canada, New York and of course Chicago! The idea is to create a contemporary analysis on the play Woyzeck by Georg Büchner.

I’m also participating in 50 plays by Joe Janes. A writer, producer and founder of Robot vs. Dinosaur. Within 50 plays Mr. Janes will write 50 10 minute plays. Hopefully by July you’ll see more original The TCC productions in my new series called “Throw some D’s on it!” Check our FAN page on Facebook for more info. I normally keep that one up-to-date.

For now, I’ll just share this video and allow you to enjoy your Thursday.

I’ve been looking for contemporary versions of Medea by Euripides and I found this cool, claymation video on Youtube.

Short, thorough and hilarious without being overly “serious.”  Beyonce’s Single Ladies took on a whole new meaning.  I can’t wait until you all see my version of this tale!

DIRECTOR’S NOTES: The problem that I have with Greek mythology plays is the performance.  They are turned into such a “snooze” fest.  I’m not saying we trivialize the theme of betrayal and infidelity.  But isn’t there a more energetic and artistic way to present the work.  I think directors lose the audience when they direct from an old translation or when they over think the story.  These stories have happened in “real” life.  This isn’t a new tale, there are tons of women who have murdered their children or the man’s lover because of betrayal.  These women “snapped“!  Sometimes you have to find another way to tell these stories that will keep the audiences’ interest.  In the case of the claymation, a little Beyonce’ never hurt NOBODY!

Chuck Berry from London Sessions courtesy of Go Head On!

Now, I could have easily created a post on Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B Goode” or “Madelline” but why would I do something like that?  There’s a Laurel Thatcher Ulrich quote that says, ”Well-behaved women rarely make history.”  So in the spirit of making history…check out Chuck Berry’s “Ding a Ling” song.  (Even The Simpsons’ got in on it too.)

“Ding a Ling” was Berry’s only number 1 hit on the U.S. Pop Charts.  Of course people wanted to ban it for it’s innuendo and tone…I can think of-a many songs that we should ban RIGHT now with no innuendo or creativity.  One particular Chicago crooner comes to mind.  Anyway-I thought this was hilarious!  You have to have a sense of humor to be apart of The Tofu Chitlin’ Circuit.

I loved the old Chuck Berry-he was a true performer and is always looked over as being a true pioneer of Rock and Roll.

Theater Notes: I love how hesitant the audience is until he gently coerces them into singing the chorus.  He’s humourous and his genuine demeanor eases the tension in the room.  I think we can take a couple of lessons from Mr. Berry.  If you want the audience to participate, you’ve got to make it fun, however, just don’t play with your Ding a Ling!

I absolutely loved this video when it premiered back in ’99.  The Roots were good at creating cool videos.  This one of course, is no exception.  I love how the Flapper Girls are opening and closing the curtain and how The Roots change movement as the song progresses.  I told you theater is everywhere!

This is the Tofu Chitlin’ Circuit’s creed for 2011.  Are you ready?  I sure am!  Happy New Year and artistic possibilities! Are you looking for the next movement in theater?  Well, look no further!  Check us out as we bring some really cool programming your way!  Stay tuned! Enjoy Movement Mondays!

I told you I can find theater EVERYWHERE!  This video is all about theater.  The braggadocio of  T.I.’s subconscious is where the marketing of your brand has to come from.  The TCC has been built on word-of-mouth but of course, that won’t be enough to sustain us.

The “Do-It” mantra…like Nike (Just Do It) is a major motivator within The TCC.  In the theater, there isn’t an already-made audience.  You have to create a place where they will feel comfortable coming to you.  You have “to do” what you need to do to get those “butts in the seats.”  Not anything illegal now…get ya’ mind out of T.I.’s!  (LOL!)  But you understand where I’m going with this.  You have to build a brand that audience members will subconsciously support.  Consequently, T.I. is a great example of this. Even with his current situation, he still has massive supporters.

Two wonderful things are happening right now. The TCC has been commissioned by WBEZ Public Radio to participate in WBEZ Public Radio Off-Air Series featured here.  I will be featured at Congo Square Theatre Company’s Festival on the Square during their women’s voices night on February 22, 2011.  Along with our new A La Carte series called “RHYTHM N’DUES!”  Stay tuned for all of the ducks to fall into a row!

I always crack up when I see this video of “The Power of Shout.”  I know it might be a little sacrilegious but it just goes to show how people really DON’T care where they are!

We are having a new A La Carte!  Our A La Cartes’ are discussions concerning a particular topic in the theater.  Last year these discussions were very successful.  We are looking forward to a wonderful discussion about For Colored Girls and how it relates to the film directed by Tyler Perry.  Just look at our panelist!  Barbara Allen, Jackie Taylor and Sergio Mimms.  Can’t wait to hear what they have to say…can’t wait to hear what YOU have to say!!  Come for the discussion…stay for the wine!