June 2016 Special Edition
CELEBRATING
JUNETEENTH In
HAWAII The Remix
FEATURING THE HONOLULU CAST OF “THE COLORED MUSEUM” BY GEORGE C. WOLFE
EXCELLENCE HAPPENS Special Edition, Juneteenth 2016
Cover Photo by May Godoy Inside Photo by John Kuamo’o
Thank you to John Kuamo’o for our show photos and Shazam Jamieson for the music played through out the evening of the performance including the mysterious African Drumming.
Honolulu’s For Colored Girls at MVT Sept. ‘15
What is Juneteenth? It’s a Celebration! We celebrate the official freeing of the slaves on June 19th every year. I say official because, mistakenly, many believe that once President Abraham Lincoln signed into law that all should be free which went into effect on Jan 1, 1863, it was two and a half years before many slaves heard of this joyous news. Galveston, Texas did a grand job at keeping this a secret and kept their slaves until June 19, 1965 when Union soldiers sailed into the city and “announced the end of the Civil War and read aloud a general order freeing the quarter-million slaves residing in the state.” (www.time.com, “A Brief History of Juneteenth June 18, 2008.) This has become known as Juneteenth and is a day to celebrate being free, opportunity and remembering who we truly are. It is important to remember, this is not a time for hate, exclusivity and especially not a time to forget. (Redundancy is sometimes necessary.) As each year passes, we have the opportunity to grow, to make a difference, to reclaim the lives that was lost long ago, to stand up and support what is right. I have always been told, never give in, never give out and never give up. This is the time to remember this and to practice this advice.• Don’t forget what was given up so that we can have, so that we can be, so that we can give back. We are free, and we shall never lose that. No one has our drums anymore! Jeanne Wynne Herring Excellence Happens Founder
Who are we? How does our history impact our identity? How do we decide what pieces of our lives we will take with us in the future? Understanding one’s own identity as a human being is arguably a journey towards a meaningful life. These are some of the questions that will be explored as Project1VOICE presents staged readings of George C. Wolfe’s The Colored Museum on Monday June 20, 2016. This is part of Project1VOICE’s 6th annual 1VOICE, 1PLAY, 1DAY which celebrates seminal works in the American theater—most specifically the African American narrative—with one night only stage readings that take place around the world on the same day. It is a powerful way to collectively ignite our voices for one cause—keeping the African American narrative strong, vitalB and alive now and for future generations. Project1VOICE will partner with theaters, museums and other diverse institutions around the world for an unprecedented evening of theater that will educate, enlighten and entertain.
The Following is Provided by Project1Voice
Hawaii’s Hitting the Stage
Erich McMillan-McCall ~ Founder/CEO ~ Project1Voice A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Erich received his BFA from Birmingham-Southern College. His Broadway credits include the Who’s Tommy and Chicago. He was a part of the national tours of Dirty Dancin’, Ragtime, Sunset Boulevard, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Dreamgirls, and Jelly’s Last Jam. His television appearances include roles on 30 Rock, One Life to Live, All My Children, and Guiding Light. He has worked in editorial fashion at VOGUE, GQ, VANITY FAIR and GLAMOUR magazines. Erich McMillan-McCall has found pretty steady theater work on stage, but his latest venture, as founder of Project 1 Voice, puts him behind the scenes, as the leader of a national initiative to put black theater companies in the spotlight. Learn More by going to http://iforcolor.org/erich-mcmillan-mccall/
Chicago tour 2007
What is Project1Voice? Founded by actor/producer Erich McMillan-McCall, Project1VOICE is a national organization whose mission is to strengthen and promote African American theater and playwrights through its innovative initiatives and approaches to audience development, volunteerism and community engagement, as well as fundraising. Project1VOICE focuses attention on the challenges confronting African American theaters and assists in providing solutions for sustainability and long-term institutional growth with programs that educate, enlighten and entertain. Project1VOICE seeks to preserve the legacy of African American theater and cultivate future generations of artists and arts patrons. What began as a grassroots organization for survival in response to the economic downturn of 2008-09 soon developed into a national initiative.•• Project1VOICE has produced 5 staged readings in as many years--Trouble in Mind by Alice Childress, The Amen Corner by James Baldwin, A Soldier’s Play by Charles Fuller and For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange respectively.• In 2013 a special staged reading presentation of Four Little Girls:• Birmingham 1963 was performed at the Kennedy Center in association with Howard University and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.• This event directed by NEC alum and Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad commemorated the• 50th anniversary of the bombing that killed the four girls in Birmingham, Alabama.• The reading was performed on the precise 50th anniversary date--Sunday, September 15, 2013.
“THE COLORED MUSEUM” BY GEORGE C. WOLFE Celebrating 30 years "The Colored Museum simultaneously celebrates, satirizes and subverts the African-American legacy. Wolfe calls his play both, 'an exorcism and a party.' The Colored Museum explores contemporary African-American cultural identity, while, at the same time revisiting and reexamining the African American theatrical and cultural past. According to Wolfe, the legacy of the past must be both embraced and overcome."- Harry J. Elam, The Johns Hopkins University After a six month run at Crossroads, this satirical play of 11 vignettes moved to New York City•into the Public Theatre and in July, 1987, traveled to London, England where it began delighting and educating audiences at the Royal Court Theatre. •In his review of the original 1986 off-Broadway production of The Colored Museum, New York Times theatre critic Frank Rich stated the play’s central question — “How do American Black men and women at once honor and escape the legacy of suffering that is the baggage of their past?” Playwright George C. Wolfe faced this loaded question head-on in his play, embracing its paradoxical nature by creating a work of dramatic art he described as part “exorcism,” part “party,” and wholly satirical. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines satire as “a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn” and “trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm meant to expose and discredit vice or folly.” The purpose of satire is to entertain while simultaneously raising awareness by asking oft-ignored questions, presenting stereotypes for examination, and revealing truth and hypocrisy by dabbling in extremes. In The Colored Museum, Wolfe juxtaposes facets of African-American cultural history, both politically correct and not, which results in a biting comedic exploration of what it means to be black in America.
Photo Courtesy of azquotes.com
George C. Wolfe A two-time Tony Award winner, George C. Wolfe is a rare theatrical polymath; he has dominated the fields of playwriting, directing, and theatrical producing. The Colored Museum is his earliest success, premiering in 1986 at the Crossroads Theatre in New Brunswick, New Jersey before going on to play New York, London, and across the nation on PBS. On the surface, The Colored Museum is a collection of 11 hilarious and biting theatrical “exhibits” of AfricanAmerican life, stretching from slavery to the present. A young woman’s natural and relaxed wigs argue over who she should wear when she tells off her boyfriend. A stewardess on the Celebrity Slaveship tells her passengers to fasten their shackles. While the play is considered a forerunner of African-American sketch-form comedy — for many critics, without The Colored Museum, there would have been no “In Living Color,” “Dave Chapelle Show” or “Key and Peele” — for Wolfe the comedy is the vehicle, not the message. The Colored Museum, for all its humor, is filled with what Wolfe calls “pure unadulterated metaphor,” distillations of black experience that he believes are specific and evocative enough to resonate far beyond their time and place. “As a person of color, I was trained from very early on to see “Leave it to Beaver,” Gilligan’s Island,” or Hamlet and look beyond the specifics of it — whether it was silly white people on an island, or a family living in Nowheres, or a Danish person — to leap past the specifics and find the human truths that have to do with me,” Wolfe says. “I’m interested: is the reverse possible? Can people who are not of color leap past the specifics of who these people are and get inside the dynamic of who they are as individuals?” George C. Wolfe continues to celebrate the African American life through comedy and music, focusing on their struggles and celebrations of their identities. On April 28, 2016, Wolfe opened his latest show on Broadway, honoring the legendary Josephine Baker, "Shuffle Along". It is nominated for a Tony award.
Photo Courtesy of nytimes.com , 2008 The Colored Museum Crossroads Performance
THE HONOLULU FLAGSHIP OF THE NATIONAL 1VOICE1PLAY1DAY One, remembers being at a television station where she worked only a few miles away right at the time the bomb went off.
How EH brought 1Voice To the Islands In the summer of 2012, I received a message from Leon Williams asking me if I’d be interested in working on this amazing project in 2013 with his friend who lived in New York. It was to commemorate the 50th ear anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement. He couldn’t stop talking about how wonderful his friend was and all the fantastic projects he was doing for the community Without a doubt, I said yes. Leon is wonderful, his friend must be too, and it was a project about the Civil Rights Movement. Of Course! I was put in touch with Erich McMillan-McCall via internet and he sent me the profile of this incredible company that gathers people from around the nation and convinces them to put on the same play at the same time. What dream was I in? This was brilliant? Why wasn’t Hawaii part of this? Then, I spoke with Erich verbally. Wow. If ever you are down, wanting to give up, thinking the world is a terrible place… he is the one to help you believe in nothing but good and achievement. I’ve been in theatre for over 30 years, but after speaking to him, I felt like this was a brand new experience that I couldn’t wait to try in a world I have never seen before and I wanted in. He sent me the script for “Four Little Girls” written by Christina Ham. The very first project I had the pleasure to bring to Hawaii as part of the 1Voice1Play1Day event was about the four little girls who were senselessly killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama because of hate. I read that script and just cried. Writing about it right now chokes me up. I had a wonderful turn out for auditions. A few auditioned who were around during the bombing.
It was a diverse cast. All ages. We had children who had to learn for the first time about a period when there was so much hate people were being killed in the streets, hung from trees and watched crosses burn in front of their homes. Our four little girls who played the leading roles learned for the first time about their history. However, they learned not to hate another race, but to love their own even more and to show more pride and to work even harder to be the best they can be. The rest of the cast was full of heart. They wanted to be a part of a show that reminded everyone of what was and what could be again if we don’t take action. The audience, of all races, left with that urge to make changes. The support for that first show was astounding. Doris Guttman from the African American Diversity Center Honolulu (that first show, my partner and the beneficiary) Father Walter Brownridge and St. Andrews Priory, The Honolulu theatre for Youth, Jeanine and her lovely family, and the cast, crew and speakers gave of themselves to make sure this was a beautiful and meaningful experience. It hasn’t stopped with that show. The same people and more give their love and support because this project means so much to so many. Being part of the 1Voice projects have revitalized my love for the performing arts. It has given it a deeper meaning. Excellence Happens hopes to bring as many 1Voice events to Hawaii, as it is able, to help support the community by providing opportunities, entertainment, education, benefiting nonprofits, inspiring, empowering and to give a voice to those who may not have one. As the Project1Voice slogan goes… How will your 1 VOICE• be heard?
FOR COLORED GIRLS Sept. 2015 Manoa Valley Theatre
HOME June 2015 Tenny Theatre
FOUR LITTLE GIRLS 2013 Tenny Theatre
Home and Four Colored Girls photos shot by John Kuamo’o
THE MISSION
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��� ���� �������,•yet nervous, about the mission of this year's 1VOICE1PLAY1DAY project when Erich McMillan-McCall of Project1Voice•described it to me a year ago. He gave me his vision of performing "The Colored Museum" in actual museums, using multiple directors so that we will have multiple perspectives, and to bring out a multitude of African American talent to perform each vignette. That last part scared me.
Bring out a multitude of African American talent to do a theatre piece in Hawaii is a daunting thought. New York ...absolutely. Atlanta ...but of course! Anywhere else in the nation there's•nothing to worry about. But, we are talking about an island where one show almost had to cancel because it couldn't get two African American actors. He also added another component that was simply beautiful. This was less about being African American, but more about living while being African American. Confused? Let me explain. He's vision was to diversify... reaching out to the LGBTQ community, the handicapable community, the military, and the list goes on; because lets face it ...there's more to being African American than just being African American. There is a thing called life and there’s this habit of living. But what of Hawaii? Where were we going to find this diverse cast of many? Erich and I talked about the diversity of Hawaii. What is beautiful about Hawaii is that it is amazingly•diverse. One thing that is often over looked is that we have cultures here in Hawaii that are of African descent. The very play we are performing touches on labeling and stereotyping, and for years we have over looked other cultures that carry the same distant blood and the same ongoing struggles. Excellence Happens is proud to present to you our directors, crew and cast. Rich with talent, imagination, experience and full of heart, we are•representing the diversity of Hawaii, touching on the struggles of trying to live as ourselves in America, and celebrating the idea that we do have the choice to be who we were born to be.
Amazing as it is, we managed to realize Project1Voice's•valuable•vision and became an equal part of this national empowerment.
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OU R D I RECTOR S
����� W���� H������, the Honolulu Flagship’s Executive Producer and the director of The Gospel According to Miss Roj, Last Mama on the Couch and The Party (in which she also played Topsy Washington,) is the Founder/CEO of Excellence Happens, LLC. This year Excellence Happens celebrates its
very own milestone. Five years ago Jeanné started EH as an online magazine using her photography skills and entertainment background to help celebrate Hawaii's artistic culture and community outreach. Moving deeper into the artistic culture and community outreach as a producer, EH has become an active player rather than an objective observer of an industry that possesses the opportunity to make significant changes. This will be Excellence Happens' fourth 1Voice presentation with Project1Voice. Through EH Jeanné has had the privilege to work with and have the support of such influential theatrical and community outreach organizations as Manoa Valley Theatre, Honolulu Theatre for Youth, St Andrew's Priory, African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii, TJ Mahoney & Associates and the Institute for Human Services in Honolulu. EH is also happy to have worked with several local independent filmmakers such as Lymari Graciano, 3 Dogs Lost Films, Level 6 Films, Ventureway, The Ninja Monkeys and Ohana Productions to name a few. EH has also continued its visual artists work in photography and has been honored to have worked for such promoters as Double-0Spot.
Jeanné has enjoyed over 30 years of diverse experiences in the theatre, film, photography and life. Whether it was on or backstage, in front or behind the camera or by creating her own story with the goal of seeing her words live onstage or screen, Photo by Erich Steinwandt Jeanné acknowledges that her gifts from the good Lord is meant for something so much bigger than she will ever imagine. So, she will just continue to experience and see what comes next. Jeanné humbly gives thanks to the cast, crew and all those who have lent their talent, time and money to ensure that this show is a success. Their gift is so that the viewers are entertained, empowered and inspired; and that the children of Soundshop gain more funds to use to grow their program and celebrate their identity through the arts. She also gives thanks to Project1Vioce for allowing her to bring this special project to Hawaii, her mother for her continuous support and encouragement, and to the good Lord who gets all the glory for every victory.
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�����• G������� �� directing "Git on Board" and "The Hairpiece". • Lymari Graciano would like to thank Excellence Happens and Jeanne Wynne-Herring personally for the opportunity to participate in Project 1Voice’s presentation of The Colored Museum as her theatrical directing debut. She is however no stranger to the stage. She has performed as The Lady in Green in last year’s Project1Voice production of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf. She is a graduate of the Academy for Creative Media at UH and is best known for being a controversial film director. Her films include: Take Back the Night, Shake your Money Maker, The Cruelest Night and Shero Transgender Superhero. Lymari Photo by Hunter Skeen chose “Git on Board” for the darker irony of the blatant racism that still exists in her life. She chose “The Hairpiece” because it reminds her of her own personal identity struggle with hair.• She dedicates all the vignettes to all the colored girls who love their hair.
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������ ������ ������� both hats of actor and director. She had her stage debut in Honolulu at TAG theater in 2005 as Beneatha in A Raisin in the Sun, which was revived in the Fall of 2015. She joined the cast as Ruth. She has been seen on stage in other plays at TAG, Kumu Kahua Theater, as well as, the University of Hawai’i. It was at TAG that she also had her directorial debut directing two August Wilson’s plays including Radio Golf and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. She also directed a short play during the playbuilder’s festival in April 2016, written by local playwright, Mark Tjarks. She is delighted to be working on this special project with producer Jeanne Herring along with other talented local directors. She invites you to mine the many pearls in The Colored Museum.
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��� M������� D������� of Photo Session and Lala’s Opening, is making his directorial debut. You may have seen him at Diamond Head Theatre in such notable roles as Carmen Ghia in “TheProducers “, Jacob in “ La Cage Aux Folles” and most recently as Delores VanCartier's double in “Sister Act”. Twan would of course like to thank the Lord for his many blessings and Jeanne Herring for this great opportunity. MUAH!!!
OUR CREW
Y The warmest mahalos to those who make the world turn behind the scenes. Though they do not receive the well deserve applause these are the oneswhocertainly deserve the accolades.
Dance Captain and Lady in “Last Mama on the Couch’ Nikki Guess
Pianist Sean Choo
Administration and Props Manager Sara Ward
Production Managers and Stage Manager Erich Steinwandt and Jaime Brice Assistant Stage Manager Christina Sutrov
Editor, Dance Captain & and Dancer in “Last Mama on the Couch” Jared Duldulao
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ND INTRODUCING YOUR HONOLULU, HAWAII CAST OF
“THE COLORED MUSEUM” T
In No Particular Order
��� J�������, ��� plays the role of Mama in Last Mama-on-theCouch, is extremely proud to be working with such Directors as Jeanne Wynne Herring, Lillian Jones, Twan Mathews and Lymari Graciano. She is also honored to be included in the talented cast and crew of Project1Voice’s production of “The Colored Museum” by George C. Wolfe. As an experienced stage actress she has appeared in many stage productions from OffBroadway to Honolulu. She has portrayed a variety of roles, such as a priestess of Hecate (a Halloween production) to a gospel singer in a memorial production of “The Four Little Girls-Birmingham 1963”. Recently accepted by the Relativity Studio Acting School for “Film and Television” for further training, she has accumulated her share of hands-on experience in film and television work.
The acting bug first bit her as a teenager growing up in church where she performed as a singer in the choir and received training as an evangelist. Her first acting role in a film went as far back as 1976, starting with “Roller Coaster” (by Universal Pictures). More recently she performed in TV’s, “Last Resort” (Cinderella Liberty episode-by Sony Pictures-ABC).
Tony also enjoys playing drums (djembe, trap-set and bongos) as well as swimming, and does a little writing on the side. She is presently writing a biography on a colorful naval personality. She is also in the makings of owning and developing her own music label business called Design ‘N’ Minds. She hopes to one day do a role in a major science-fiction/horror or comedy film. According to Ms. Jamieson, “Comedy-wise I would love to someday work with
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���� M����� B. Malacas, dancer, is a 39 years old mother of three including a family dog. She married her high school sweetheart. She was born and raised here on the island of Oahu. Noble enjoys a variety of music which made her love for dance emerge. She has a background dancing hip hop, hula and Tahitian in her younger years. In her spare time, she dances along with her X-box, enjoying time with family and friends and volunteers.
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���� C���� W����� (not pictured) graduated from Solano Community College in 6/2005 with an associates degree in Acting and Technical Theater, he also graduated from the schools Actor’s Training Program. Paris has also worked with SRT in Santa Rosa. While acting with Solano College Theater Paris enjoyed being an costumer for various productions and took part in a few productions as an actor. Previous roles Paris has played include: Victor from “Cabaret”, ensemble member of “Disney’s Beauty and The Beast”, and George Murchinson from “A Raisin in the Sun”. Paris considers himself a triple threat because he can dance, act and sing. Paris has a passion for fashion and pageantry, animals and health and wellness. He is very excited to take part of this amazing collection of African American plays and would like to give special thanks to his family and friends for all of their undying support.
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���� C�������, ������� the role of Lala’s Assistant in Lala’s Opening, is a first generation American. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and her parents are from the beautiful island of Jamaica. Her parents always instilled in her that she can achieve anything in life! Shana moved to Hawai'i in 2013, with hopeful expectation embarking on a new journey in her personal life and career. She has had a rewarding experience working with homeless female veterans. Also, during this time she was in the process (unknowingly) of self-discovery that lead her on the path of self-love. In 2014, she became a Certified Creative Love® Coach to work with single men and women enhance their love life through self-love.
Shana holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Richmont Graduate University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University. Also, she participated in a collaborative book project with Nikki Woods, now she's an Amazon best selling author and award winning author (African American Literary Award) of the book SHIFT: 20 women share stories of strength, courage, and succeeding against the odds. Here are some FUN tidbits about Shana; she's a self-proclaimed food, cooking is therapeutic, avid bookworm, aspiring globe-trotter, and Self-Love Ambassador!
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RIQ JAMES, M��� Roj in was last seen on stage as the Gardener/Sgt. Doppell in MVT's Harold Maude. Other previous credits include Oscar/Ensemble in 42nd Street, Sailor/Islander in South Pacific with Tony nominated actress Loretta Ables-Sayer, Park Keeper/Poseidon in Mary Poppins all at DHT; Dan/Butler in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Storyteller in Children of Eden in Naperville, Illinois; He has also worked as a Stage Manager for MVT's production of Clybourne Park, Closer Than Ever, Becky's New Car, and The Who's Tommy. He is set to appear in Twelfth Night in July at the Hawaii Shakespeare Festival.
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������ “L����” K����, dancer, was born in Chicago, IL to a first generation Irish and African-American family. Her unique ethnic background has enabled her to ascend many cross-cultural barriers. Johanna spent 8 years in the US. Air Force and 2 years with the Department of Defense as an Antiterrorism Officer in the Middle East and Europe before moving to Hawaii in October 2013. She currently works as Apprentice to the Senior Minister at Unity Church of Hawaii and is a first year ministerial student at the Barbara King School of Ministry in Atlanta, GA. She plans on becoming a Senior Minister of a congregation (somewhere in the world) after ordination. Johanna is the mother to three wonderful children and they love to enjoy time together relaxing at the beach and watching movies together. When not studying or engaged in family or ministerial work, Johanna spends her free time reading, writing and publishing spiritual texts and books.
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LISON L. B. MALDONADO, portraying Lala in Lala’s Opening, is a Photo Journalist and former Chaplain’s Assistant in the Hawaii Air National Guard.• She attends the University of Hawaii full-time as a double major in Creative Media/Film Animation and Theater for Youth.• In her spare time, she directs the youth group S.T.A.R.S. at Joint Base Pearl Harbor/Hickam.• Alison is a huge supporter of community theater and has performed at Diamond Head Theater as “Sister Mary Clarence” in Sister Act, as the “Bloody Mary Understudy” in South Pacific, as “Calpurnia” in To Kill a Mockingbird , “Queenie” in Show Boat, “Rose” in Stepping Out, as one of “The Dynamites” in Hairspray, “The Fairy Godmother” in Cinderella, as a member of the ensemble in The Full Monty, “Mary Magdalene” in Jesus Christ Superstar, “The Sour Kangaroo” in Seussical, the Musical and as “Sarah’s Friend” in Ragtime.• •Additionally, she has performed at Manoa Valley Theater twice in the role of “The Acid Queen” in Tommy, “Brenda” in Smokey Joes Café, and as “Diana Ross, Patti Labelle, Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin” in Beehive, The 60’s Musical, and as “Geneva Lee Brown” in The 1940’s Radio Hour.•• Her other stage performances also include shows at Palikū Theater and the former Army Community Theater.•• She is currently a back-up singer for Grammy winning Artist Yvonne Elliman and feels blessed to have performed back-up with other artists including Joe Puerta of Ambrosia, John Ford Coley, Mariah Carey, Benny Mardones and The Pointer Sisters.• She sends love and blessings to her family for their never ending support.• Finally, Alison is extremely grateful to Jeanné Wynne Herring, Twan Matthews and the staff at Excellence Happens for the opportunity to perform with such an amazing cast of fellow thespians.
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�� ��� ��� from Los Angeles, California Hollywood comes the up and budding celebrity actress, Ms. Terry Tiandra Bookhart! You have seen this brilliant and very vibrant, beautiful young lady on the hottest T.V. shows of the season such as “CSI” Las Vegas where she portrayed the role of Lulu. You have also seen her Campaign and heard her lovely voiceover work on “Starzin Black,” the ever-so and never ending intriguing movie channel that brings you the latest and greatest inspirational movies and television shows imagined! Ms. Terry hasworked alongside some of the most talented and finest Movie/Television actors, directors, and producers in the entertainment industry such as: Quincy Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Pattie Labelle, Aretha Franklin, Steve Harvey, Stacy Dash, Dr. Dre., Pharell, Bill Duke, Al Freeman, Monique, Glen Plummer, Cedric the Entertainer, Tachina Arnold and the list goes on…and on…and on! Ms. Terry is a One-Stop Shop! She is, “Classy, Hardworking, Brilliant, as well as resilient in her work,” says Steve Harvey from “The Steve Harvey Morning Show”. We Anxiously await and anticipate more work from the captivating and exciting young artist. “She definitely has the “IT Factor,” says Glen Plummer, leading man and star of South Central”. Ms. Terry has performed all over the world, and is now an author of “Hollywood Actress Tells It All” as well as Producer of her first film “Calista House”. Ms. Terry Tiandra Bookhart absolutely loves her craft and would not change what she does for the world! STAY TUNED!!!!!!!
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��� A�� S������-G���, playing the role of Janine in The Hairpiece (not pictured) is a theatre enthusiast and has worked backstage and onstage at TAG, MVT and DHT and the former Army Community Theater for many years. Her most recent TAG performance was as Jessie in Storefront Church. Her other acting credits include The Miracle Worker as Viney, and A Lesson Before Dying as Miss Emma at TAG, Dividing the Estate as Mildred at MVT, and You Can’t Take It With You as Reba at HPU. Her Stage Manager credits include Hollywood Arms Seven Guitars; and Red and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. She also has appeared in two episodes of LOST and a HU student film Born in Hawaii. Mary Ann is happy to be working with a very dedicated group of actors in this production of The Colored Museum.
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��� A������, ��� plays the role of the Woman in The Hairpiece, is extremely excited to be joining the cast of The Colored Museum. Hope has appeared in a commercial for Kapiolani Community College and recently completed a music video for Wai Lana which will be made available via the Internet for viewing in June. Hope enjoys singing, writing, studying Japanese and watching Korean dramas in her spare time. When asked, Hope describes her love of Acting as a way that she can express her emotions through the characters she portrays and each project has continued to bring about amazing experiences. Her first time on a film set in 2011, was when Hope realized Acting would forever be an important part of her life. Currently living in Mililani, HI, she has been represented by the Kathy Muller Agency for over 5 years. Hope would like to thank the producer, Jeanne’ Wynne Herring, the director, Lymari Graciano, her castmates and the crew for the opportunity to be a part of this project. Hope also wishes to thank her husband, Michael for loving and supporting her and allowing her to pursue her dreams.
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�� "P�����" L���, Narrator in Last Mama on the Couch, known mainly as "Pepper" is a professional comedian and actor based in Honolulu Hawaii. His professional career started in the summer of 2012, when he helped a friend win a YouTube contest for major publishing firm in NYC. From there he launched his YouTube channel "Evil Genius Network", which host a slew of videos from, sports picks, stand up appearances, and sketch comedy, where Pepper displays various characters he has created as well as celebrity impersonations. Pepper has recently taken a year off of YouTube, to focus on his stand up career, but will be relaunching in June 2016. He tours nationally, and has opened up for big names, including the likes of Katt Williams, Sammore, Rob Schneider, and Martin Lawrence. Currently you can catch him on stages weekly throughout Honolulu. As well as being cast in this great production, Pepper has recently become part of the hit TV show "Black Jesus --- Live, Laugh, love" national comedy tour. Catch this show in Honolulu on June 16th,17th, and 18th. Keep up with this rising star on all social media platforms @EvilGeniusPep #EGN #EvilGeniusNetwork.
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�������� B������� �� excited to join the cast of “The Colored Museum”. She is featured in the vignette, The Photo Session and is the lead pit singer in The Last Mama on the Couch.• While she has not been in a theater productions in many years, she has appeared on TV in ‘Hawaii 5-0’ as a featured extra among many other projects. In her spare time, Shervelle is a competitive Latin Ballroom dancer mastering such dances as the Cha-cha, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive and Samba. She is also an avid Salsera and enjoys the Argentine Tango. Shervelle works at The Queen's Medical Center as a Laboratory Assistant in the Pathology Department. She is married with three children.
Directors and Full Cast List HAWAII PRODUCER: Jeanné Wynne Herring DIRECTORS Jeanné Wynne Herring: 1. The Gospel According to Miss Roj 2. The Last Mama on the Couch 3. The Party
Lillian M. Jones 1. Cooking' with Aunt Ethe 2. Soldier with a Secret 3. Symbiosis 4. Permutations
Lymari Graciano 1.
Git On Board
2.
Hairpiece
Twan Matthews 1. The Photo Session 2. Lala's Opening
ACTORS ∙ Git on Board: 1. Miss Pat -Paris Watson
∙ Cooking' with Aunt Ethel: 2. Aunt Ethel – Barbara Jackson
∙ The Photo Session: 3. Girl - Shervelle Bergholz 4. Guy – Twan Mathews
∙ Soldier with a Secret: 5. Soldier – Curtis Duncan
∙ The Gospel According to Miss Roj:
6. Miss Roj – Eriq James ∙ The Hairpiece 7. Woman – Hope Addison 7. Janine – Mary Anne Shirley-Gray 9. Lawanda – Kandice Symister
∙ The Last MamaontheCouch Play:
8. Narrator – Jay “Pepper” Lamb 9.
Mama - Tony Jamieson
10. Son - Greg Hunt 11. Lady - Nikki Guess 12. Madea - Kandice Symister 13. Pit Singer 1 for Mama – Shervelle Bergholz 14. Pit Singer 2 – Hope Addison 15. Dancers: Male - Jared Duldulao, Paris Watson, Ronald Bass, Female –Noble Monica B. Malaca, Johanna “Locke” Kelly ∙ Symbiosis: 16. Man - Curtis Duncan 17. Kid – Frank Coffee
∙ Lala's Opening: Lala – Alison Maldonado 18. Lala’s Assistant – Shana Campbell
∙ Permutations: 19. Normal Jean -Nikki Guess
∙ The Party:
20. Topsy Washington – Jeanne Wynne Herring
Giving Back - Thanks to you we made over $2000 for SoundShop!
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��� 1V���� �� accomplish three things: we provide entertainment for our audience, education about the world we live in and a chance for our patrons to give back to it’s local community.
��� ���� E��������� Happens participates in the 1Voice1Play1Day project, it chooses a charity to benefit. Partial, if not all, of the ticket sales goes to the charity of EH’s choice that best fits the theme of that year’s play. This year our choice beneficiary is Honolulu Museum of Art’s Children’s Arts Program, “Soundshop.” Because this program focuses on using the arts to help low income children celebrate their identity, we felt this was the best program your dollars could benefit. We are excited to see such a program grow and we welcome you to help us help Honolulu Museum of Arts continue to build Soundshop so that it will continue to teach children to celebrate who they are through writing, music, visual and performing arts.
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���� ��� �� the staff of Doris Duke Theatre for providing more information about this program so that you can see how your attendance to The Colored Museum not only allows you to enjoy quality performance, but also givesn you the chance to help build your community and encourage your island children. Photos courtesy of honolulumuseumm.org
Honolulu Museum of Art SOUNDSHOP Music education program at the Honolulu Museum of Art The Honolulu Museum of Art's Soundshop music education program, held in collaboration with Pacific Tongues, aims to inspire students in Title I high schools to cultivate their unique voices and to become independent, creative thinkers.
PROGRAM: Soundshop is a program of interactive music education workshops held throughout the year. The workshops offer a safe, healthy, and dynamic learning environment that provides students with opportunities to engage in a multidisciplinary understanding of music through performance, creation, and description. In each workshop, students interact with awardwinning local musicians in an intimate group setting. Musicians will introduce students to the creative process and demonstrate how the process can be applied to any aspect of daily life. The goal is to motivate students to develop independence and creative thinking, to trust, take risks, and collaborate.
ACTIVITY: Soundshop workshops are three hours long and are held four times a year at the Doris Duke Theatre. Each workshop features seasoned local artists and award-winning musicians from different musical backgrounds ranging from hip-hop and Hawaiian music to jazz and alternative rock. The three-hour workshop comprises three main components in which students (1) enjoy world-class performances by local and national artists, (2) breakout into groups led by guest artists and instructors focusing on specific aspects of the artist’s creative process, and (3) craft and present short performance pieces that integrate the lessons learned. 8:30AM-9:00AM Students arrive and Brief Introduction 9:00AM-9:45AM Performance by featured guest artists with short Q&A 9:45AM-11:15AM Breakout sessions led by local artists and senior administrators (1) Writing-based, lyric study session (2) Beat-making, rhythm study session 11:15AM – 12:00PM Concluding performance and lesson summary 12:00PM – 1:00PM Lunch break with musicians and museum staff
IMPACT: Soundshop aims to directly benefit low-income students in Title I high schools where funding for writing, art and music programs have been significantly cut in the last decade. By further engaging the specific demographic of low-income high school students at the museum, these workshops are designed to assist Title 1 high schools in filling the need for stronger creative arts programs and to give low-income students the creative tools to independently enhance their writing, creative-thinking, and music skills.
A
RT IN JAZZ
John Henry Nichols
Photos Courtesy of www.firstfridayhawaii.com/d/d/johnhenry-nichols
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����� ��� M�. Nichols in 2010, when I worked for PM Realty Group, when he was setting up his gallery showing at Aloha Tower Market place. Neither one of us remembered that I was one of two PM employees, helping him load the gallery with is beautiful art work. It wasn't until I met with him a few weeks ago to speak with him about "The Colored Museum", when I looked through his online gallery, I realized I knew this person of excellence. When I recognized my favorite piece in his gallery, which featured the Black National Anthem, it hit me, "I met you before!" It was that very piece I helped carry from the loading docks into the gallery. My coworker mentioned to me that he loved that particular painting and he didn't know if Mr. Nichols had written this beautiful poem. I took the painting from him, and to my surprise it was something that has always touched my heart that I hadn't seen in years. To my coworker's surprise, I started to sing, "Lift every voice and sing..."
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�� ����� �����, I am sitting with the very gentleman that reminded me of my identity through his art work. However, this time we actually have time to really talk, and I have a chance to hear about all of his wonderful adventures and become more inspired by his ingenuity and his dreams.
��� ������ �� world renowned, and not just because he places images on canvas, but because of the heart and passion he creates for all to see for eternity. It was an honor for Excellence Happens to win an interview with Mr. Nichols. This is just a taste of the exciting conversations I have with him, but I'm sure he will inspire you just as he has inspired me. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Though my name is John Henry Nichols, my friends know him as Ohno. I started painting in high school while in a summer program at Harvard College. I knew I wanted to be an artist, but it was further consummated at Syracuse University when I met my first two college roommates who were artists from the boroughs of Harlem and the Bronx in New York City. Being an artist for 45 years, I have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. The journey has its ebbs and flows. The highs have taken me to Europe to exhibit, then having a conversation with Miles Davis and meeting a lot of jazz icons who I have painted! I have gotten their signature pieces and some awards I won along the way. The lowest lows bring out the work! My favorite memory as an artist? Answer.... I am still an artist and some of the greatest moments have yet to be made! I really appreciated Miles Davis' encouragement to go to Europe and exhibit doing a one man art exhibition sponsored by the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Hague for 80,000 people. It was a blast! But, my hardest challenge so far is just having the confidence to paint what I perceive. I learned to pick up the brush and to do "the first stroke." My motto is "yes you can do this." When you take the concept and execute it with quality, once you embark upon the subject matter, you maintain a standard of excellence. It's a form of love to complete something. My ultimate dream is to have an exhibit displaying all of my works and having it tour the world so the world can see it. Like a musician, writing a piece of music, what's the purpose unless someone can hear it? My advice to anyone reading this, don't just dream but be driven by that dream. You have to be motivated by the dream. Let the dream drive you and motivate you. Everyone has an artist in them someplace and I hope that they can look within themselves and extract it, and preserve it; and I hope that it resonates. Each of us is an artist within our own right. Sometimes people reject it and sometimes people love it and sometimes they don't!
Honolulu Flagship 2016 1Voice Photo Gallery
Our Royal Sponsor: Chiko’s Tavern. Art work by John Henry Nichols
BEHIND THE SCENES
MAHALO FOR AN EXCELLENT NIGHT!
YOU MADE YOUR 1VOICE HEARD!
What Else is happening? Theatre and Film
JULY 15 - AUGUST 14, 2016 www.diamondheadtheatre.com
www.manoavalleytheatre.com
July 8 - August 21, 2016
www.hawaiishakes.org
What Else is happening? Night Life
For singing, good eats and a fun time with friends! www.chikostavern.com
www.oospot.com
www.hulas.com
A heart felt Mahalo to our Show Sponsors: Chiko's Tavern, List Sotheby’s International Realty and Dakind Signing Puppets Marianne of Waikiki, LLC. Without your Excellence, many would miss out on this
Excellence Happens, LLC ~ PO Box 15412, Honolulu, HI, 96830 www.excellencehappens.com ~ info@excellencehappens.com