A Celebratory Tribute to the African American Woman featuring The Forgotten Healer

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PRESENTS

A CELEBRATORY TRIBUTE TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN featuring an excerpt from

THE FORGOTTEN HEALER by playwright Ed "Tiger" Verdin with Fallon Mitchell as Dr. Emma Wakefield Renita Nelson

Tiffany Dupas

Bria Burrell

Kyla Provost

LaDaisha Bowles-Webber

Shani P. Nelson

Directed by Ed "Tiger" Verdin Lighting Technician Tyler Verdin Sound & Lighting Design Ed "Tiger" Verdin Stage Manager Mackenzie Burleigh

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CAST Cast Members Sojourner Truth "Aint I a Woman?"

Bria Burrell

Dr. Emma Wakefield-Paillet

Fallon Nicole Mitchell

Billie Holiday "Strange Fruit"

Tiffany Dupas

A Tribute to all Black Women "I Know Where I've Been"

Renita Nelson

"Star Majorette"

Kyla Provost

"EQUALITY" Maya Angelou

LaDaisha Bowles-Webber

Nina Simone "Feeling Good" Co-Founder 1972-2017

Shani P. Nelson The Late Tyra Yarber

Playwright/Executive Director

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Ed "Tiger" Verdin

WHO'S WHO Bria Burrell

as Sojourner Truth "Aint I a Woman?"

Bria Burrell is a recent graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette majoring in Public Relations. A native of Franklin, Bria has been involved in the Arts for about a decade. She enjoys singing, dancing, modeling and most of all acting. Bria as performed with the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts in many productions such as A Raisin in the Sun, A Christmas Carol and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Bria was part of Soulful Production's Launch Party for it's inaugural production of Single Black Female. Bria is honored to be a part of this production and to celebrate the life of Dr. Emma Wakefield.

Tiffany Dupas

as Billie Holiday "Strange Fruit"

Mentored by the late great Tyra Yarber and Ed Tiger Verdin, Tiffany, is no stranger to the stage. She recently co-starred in the two woman sold out play entitled Single Black Female. After a heart changing brush with domestic violence, Tiffany has dedicated her life to changing the minds and hearts of her community in regards to abuse.

Now a public motivational speaker who's target audience is not only women, but men and children as well. She has spoken at the purple and teal reception held in Baton Rouge and recently addressed the Senate floor. She was instrumental in getting House Bill 236 passed earlier this year. She is the daughter of retired school board employee Jennie Benjamin and the late Korean War Veteran Clifford Morgan, wife of Cedric Dupas and mother of 8! Alice Walker said "Don’t wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get you’ve got to make yourself." Tiffany lives by that rule daily and tries to relay thot on others.

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WHO'S WHO Kyla Provost

as "Star Majorette"

Kyla Provost is a Senior at Franklin Senior High School. She currently resides in Franklin, La.and is a member of the Gifted/Talented Theatre Program in St. Mary Parish. She is also a fouryear member of the Franklin High School Golden Doll Dance Team (2020-2021 Captain) and afive year member of the E.L.I.T.E. Dance Co. (LaDaisha BowlesWebber) in Franklin, La. Kylawas last seen in the Teche Theater’s production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” as a danceensemble member. Tonight, she makes her stage debut with Soulful Productions. Her modern dance piece is entitled “Star Majorette.” She is grateful to be able to perform with strong, powerful, Black women of her community and Ed "Tiger" Verdin that help to mentor her through the Arts & Life.

Renita Nelson

as A Tribute to all Black Women "I Know Where I've Been"

Renita was born in Fort Dix, New Jersey before transplanting in Verdunville in 2001. In 2006 she became part of the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts ensemble in shows such as Fiddler on the Roof, Ain't Misbehavin, Fences, Raisin in the Sun, Gypsy, and Hairspray.

With such an exhuberant attitude and amazing voice Renita will honor the strong, Black women that helped pave the way forward.

LaDaisha BowlesWebber

as "EQUALITY" Maya Angelou

LaDaisha Donielle Bowles-Webber is a native of Franklin, La. who resides in Lafayette, La. She is a member of St. Jules Catholic Church and the Franklin-Jeanerette Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.She is an honor graduate of Loyola University Chicago where she earned a BA Degree in Performing Arts and International Film and Media Production in2007. LaDaisha is not only known as an actress, but also as a singer, dancer, published poet, and song writer.

She is the founder of the E.L.I.T.E. (Every Little Individual That Excels) Dance Company and performance credits in “Did Love Cause Me To Hurt” (Did Love Productions) , “Single Black Female” (Soulful Productions), & "Hunchback of Notre Dame” (Teche Theater), “Broken” (A. Gibson Productions), and “Murder at Shuga’s” (Teche Theater). She is employed as an Itinerant Gifted and Talented Theatre instructor with the St. Mary Parish Schools. LaDaisha is the Vice President of Soulful Productions' Board.

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WHO'S WHO Shani P. Nelson as Nina Simone "Feeling Good" Shani P. Nelson, artistically known as Shani Shanell, is a native of New Iberia, La. and is an alumni of UL Lafayette. She is a worshipper, wife, mother, singer, songwriter, author, and all around creative. She has recently added to her creative resume by publishing her very first interactive book called It’s Not Their Business: A Self Help Vision Journal. Shani is now pursuing a career in entertainment as a vocalist and songwriter writing for other artist, creating her own projects, and performing in different arenas. Her most recent project is entitled Sincerely, Shani. She is also pursuing her masters in Film and Television at Regent University. Shani has tried her hand in theatrical pieces as well with the latest being Still Ain’t Misbehavin. It was her first musical but she is sure that it won’t be her last. She believes that pursuing purpose is important, no Dream is too big, and trusting in God is the only way.

Fallon Nicole Mitchell

as Dr. Emma WakefieldPaillet

Fallon Nicole Mitchell is the only child born to Roy and Valencia (Madison)Mitchell of Franklin, Louisiana. She is a member of the St. Joseph Baptist Church,where Reverend Ronald C. Young is her Pastor. At her church, she serves on the Usher’s Board; she’s a Sunday School Teacher; and the Church’s Historian. Fallon received her primary and secondary education in the St. Mary Parish School System. Fallon is a 2004, Cum Laude graduate of Franklin Senior High School. In 2004, she went on to further her education by attending Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, New York, where she received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Theatre Performance and a certification in Business Management in 2008. At Marymount Manhattan College, she performed in numerous stage plays and theatrical productions: “The Colored Museum” – a directing project, produced by Katie St. Germain, written by August Wilson; “A Raisin in The Sun” – directed by Ishmael Wilson and many more.

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WHO'S WHO The Late Tyra Yarber

as Co-Founder 1972-2017

Tyra Yarber started out on stage under the tutelage of his mentor, Mrs. Diane Wiltz. After college and moving back home he stayed involved in the Franklin Little Theatre and then the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts. Tyra became the President of the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts and presided over its Board for 8 years. He was still directing, performing and designing sets but more importantly mentoring children and adults in the Arts for the Teche Theatre until his death. Tyra and Tiger had a dream since high school to begin their own production company T-n-T Productions. Thus 20 years later Soulful Productions, Inc. was born. They are witnesses that the Arts touches the whole body but tonight you will leave with a piece of their Soul from having attended this event. Tyra's wife Germaine is performing tonight and he has 3 beautiful children, Aryn, Cameryn and Noah that were raised working in the theatre onstage and off. Truly missed every day!

Ed "Tiger" Verdin

as Playwright/Executive Director

Ed “Tiger Verdin is probably one of the loudest voices for the Arts and Arts Education in St. Mary Parish. He can be seen and heard promoting the Arts on television, radio and newsprint from Morgan City to Lafayette. He has served on numerous Arts Boards and Committees for many Arts and civic groups around Acadiana. Tiger is a veteran of the stage with over 20 years of acting experience throughout Acadiana. His resume has many performances but a few notable are Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Brick), November (President Charles Smith), The Odd Couple (Felix), God’s Favorite (Joe Benjamin), Misery (Paul Sheldon), To Kill a Mockingbird (Bob Ewell), Driving Miss Daisy (Boolie) and many, many more. He has written, produced, starred in his first self written play 9/11: Undying Love. His other works include Deception, Prodigal, Club Fed, The Forgotten Healer and musical Life in the Quarters.

Tiger is the Executive Director of Soulful Productions, Inc. and along with the Board of Directors has over 100 years of combined theatrical experience. A proud member of the United Houma Nation Tribe he dedicates "Diversity in Theatre" as their mantra for Soulful Productions. SP's inaugural production featured 2 women of color in Single Black Female by Dr. Lisa Thompson. With Sold Out performances in Franklin and New Orleans they have really caputured the attention of South Louisiana. As they tout "Theatre is more than just Black or White" by including shows such as The Vagina Monologues and collaborating with LGBTQ+ groups such as The Tenth Zine to ensure the faces and voices of all have the oppourtunity for showcasing. In the beginning of 2018 Tiger was accepted as a Dramatist member in the Dramatist Guild of America based in New York. He is also a member of the Playwrights' Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Gulf Coast Playwrights based in New Orleans. He is currently in his 5th year working in the Entertainment Division of the New Orleans Saints as well as completing his first year as Public Relations Director for the City of Franklin. He continues to serve in his 16th year as a Board Member for the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts. He is currently working on an unannounced project with 2x Superbowl winner and Fmr New York Giant Leonard Marshall. He is thankful for his supportive wife and family. He is also thankful to his first theatre teacher/director/mentor and second mother, Mrs. Diane Wiltz that taught him the joy and power of the Stage and Arts within a community!

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CREW WHO'S WHO

Mackenzie Burleigh Mackenzie is a 23 year old that began her theatre career with Tyra Yarber and Ed "Tiger" Verdin and has been involved in theatre for over half of her life. She has done many productions as stage manager/tech crew whiole being involved in buiding sets and has been on stage in a few minor roles. Theatre is her greatest love and joy, second to her boyfriend-Cade. Giving back to her community, even if only in small ways, means the world just to her to put a smile on someone's face.

Cade Olivarez Cade is a proud graduate of Young Memorial now South Louisiana Community College in Morgan City with degrees in Computer Science and Information Technology. He is employeed by Franklin Foundation Hospital in their IT Department. He just began his involvement with theatre the past two years thanks to his girlfriend, Mackenzie. It started with her dragging him to a few rehearsals which quickly turned him to helping with sound and lighting on a few small productions. Cade now quite enjoys doing the "behind the scenes thing" and has now officially been bitten by the theatre bug.

Tyler Verdin Tyler has grown up inside the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts since he was 5 years old. He has been in performances such as The Wiz, A Christmas Carol, Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus. Running tech for his dad's play 9/11: Undying Love, and the Teche Theatre for the Peforming Arts productions of Bayou Bells, Peter Pan, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and A Streetcar Named Desire. He also helped his dad run tech for Soulful Productions New Orleans' run of Single Black Female. Tyler is currently enrolled at South Louisiana Community College majoring in Drafting & Design with plans after graduation to attend the University of Louisiana Lafayette to major in Architecture. In his spare time he likes to play guitar and video games.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

SPECIAL THANKS! Louisiana Department of Health-Bureau of Minority Health Mr. Rudy Macklin Dr. Phebe Hayes Iberia African American Historical Society St. Mary Chapter of Louisiana Landmarks Grevemberg House Mayor Eugene Foulcard, City of Franklin Louisiana State Representative Vincent St.Blanc, Dist. 50 KBZE 105.9fm Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts Family of the Cast & Crew The Cast & Crew of Soulful Productions, Inc. The Board of Directors of Soulful Productions, Inc.

"A Community is like a mighty Oak only as strong as it's Roots."

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END NOTES A word from the Director: Greatful. Humbled. Proud. Determined! I cannot thank Dr. Phebe Hayes and the Board of Directors of the Iberia African American Historical Society enough for choosing me to not only give Dr. Emma Wakefield-Paillet a voice but to tell her story which includes her immediate families. I truly believe God crosses the life journies of people that are truly meant to do His works. It all started one afternoon at Teche Action Clinic when Dr. Gary Wiltz introduced me to Dr. Phebe Hayes. I felt so strongly in the works she was now doing I asked her to be the keynote speaker for the Soulful Production's Launch Party to help spread her mission. Little would I know at that time God's work for us was already set in motion.

Unexpectantly we lost Tyra Yarber (co-executive director) in 2018 and we still feel his loss every day. Tyra and I started Soulful Productions, Inc. in an effort to further the Arts and Arts Education in South Louisiana. Moreover, we wanted to promote "Diversity in Theatre" by spotlighting more faces of color in more prominent roles and shows. We also felt so strongly about exposing every child to the Arts as not every child is academic or atheletic. Neither one of us ever thought our lives would have been touched by the theatre they way it has. We have Mrs. Diane Wiltz to thank for that honor. You see in high school she taught us that we could tell any story on stage much better than any movie or novel could. We could bring any audience to any certain place at any certain time and make them feel any certain emotion. She also taught us how to love our community by giving every ounce of breath to it in our works to create change. The theatre is a powerful medium that can give a voice, much like tonight, to those that are not able to tell their story. After doing this for some time we realized that not only are we telling you a story but we are giving you a glimpse of our Soul in the works we leave on stage. Why do I do this? I belong to the United Houma Nation, an Indigenous Tribe that is recognized by the State of Louisiana; but is yet to recognized by the United State of America in 2020. To be a VOICE and tell the Whole History. In the musical Hamilton it is asked, "Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?" I would say give it to God and even if it takes 120 years it will be told in His timing!

Tonight I am beyond words to give you a tease of THE FORGOTTEN HEALER. I truly believe the Art of theatre should be felt by the audience. Tonight as you watch this amazingly, talented cast celebrate strong, powerful Black women from the mid 1800s through present day it's ok to celebrate with them. Laugh, Cry, Moan, Testify! I've learned to live and enjoy every waking moment. Be ONE with us on stage tonight. Our goal tonight is to awaken a spirit within you. Only God knows what that spirit will be. Hopefully one being, falling in love with the theatre, and Dr. Emma Wakefield-Paillet and her family.

Louisiana history...Let's face it not everything was gumbo and fais do dos. Unfortunately we have ugly history just as we have beautiful history and tradition alike. However, I believe forgetting the bad only makes uncovering histories like Dr. Emma's, Senator Wakefield's, Adolf Wakefield's and even Sammie Jr.'s young life hard to investigate and correct. Righting a wrong by wrighting the wrong only makes it even more powerful with the Art of the theatre. But facing the wrong can we only truly correct that part of our history and heal from it. Everyday we can take a positive step forward to rid our communities of hatred by our positive works within it. By working together we can create the inclusivity and equality we strive for.

Please join the Iberia African American Historical Society and become an intergral part of that process. Also, SUPPORT THE ARTS & ARTS EDUCATION each and every time you can!!!

-- Ed "Tiger" Verdin

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THANK YOU!

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