Imani Press Productions
Presents:
Black Diamonds and Pearls...Rise Up and Shine!
A brilliantly woven tapestry of poetry, monologues, music and dance crafted to inspire, empower and celebrate the beauty, spirit and true essence of African-American men.
Anything is possible when we realize what we have inside of us...when we remember we were created to fly! Marina
About Black Diamonds and Pearls...
Told through a series of monologues, poems, music and dance, Black Diamonds and Pearls...Rise Up and Shine!, is an intensely passionate, humorous, and intimate love story. An adaptation of the playwright's book of poetry, If I Decide to Fly!, the play stitches together an uplifting and sometimes haunting journey reflecting on the occurrences in the lives of African-American boys/men.
The culminating objective of the storyline is to remind black boys/men of the power they possess within, simply because they were created in the image of God. The production explores such topics as, the residual effects of slavery, relationships, self-empowerment and self-love and community. Although designed to inspire, empower and uplift African-American boys/men, when examined in its entirety, Black Diamonds and Pearls...reveals a message that is not limited to the "black" experience, but is ultimately a universal message of love, acceptance and forgiveness.
Black Diamonds and Pearls has had two successful runnings and will return in the winter of 2010.
Cast of Characters:
Jumaane Askew: Jumaane
William Carter: Kwame
Avram L. Davis: Tarek
Nigel Robinson: Kaseem
Taylon Singleton: Malik
Thelathia Moore Singleton: Stacey
Ashley Thompson: Kimberely
Vannah Vereen: Lisa
Keisha Campbell: Catherine
Dancers:
Keisha Campbell
Cierra Lacey
Deborah Maine
Paige Seybert
Shadora Thomas
The Talented Cast and Crew Members of
Black Diamonds and Pearls...Rise Up and Shine!
Creative Team:
Marina the Poet: Playwright & Director
Shedorah Thomas & Deborah Maine: Chorographers
Creative Manager: Margie & Bill Mullis
Facebook/Stage Manager: De'Ambra Thompson
From the Playwright:
Black Diamonds and Pearls...Rise Up and Shine!, has a special place in my heart because it has been brewing in my spirit for over twenty years. In January of this year, I was laid off from my job. One of the projects I began during my free time was cleaning out my closet. I "stumbled" upon the hand-written manuscript of the play I'd written twenty years ago in a box in my closet. Intrigued, I sat down on the floor to read it. The love affair began all over again, however, this time, I decided to fully commit. This play represents so much more than just the opportunity to bring a dream to fruition. It is about tenacity, perseverance, dreaming, trusting in myself, the Universe and the idea that it is never too late to follow a dream. It is about having a purpose in life and holding fast to that purpose despite what may, or may not appear for that matter. It is about the journey. For me, this play is about giving hope to others and somehow finding what you're attempting to give away inside yourself.