There are many people involved in a play. The one person that wears the important hat is the Director. I spoke with the Director of 2nd Sunday and this is what she had to say …

Ujima: Directing seems to be a very demanding job. What does directing a stage play consist of?

Tawanna:
Yes, directing is a very demanding job. You have to consider everything at all times. Directing a play consist of making sure that you have the right people for the job, chemistry is everything. You have to assure that you have the means to provide proper rehearsal space, directions, instructions. I think the most challenging would have to be dealing with individual personalities as well as personalities of the characters roles they are playing and knowing how to decipher and handle collectively. Directing also consist of guiding the performance to assure to have a successful show.

Ujima: Do you find directing with an author, that is present, difficult in respect to making sure her vision comes to life alone with what your vision may be for a character or overall play.

Tawanna:
Sometimes it can make one nervous. I wouldn’t necessarily say difficult. You do look for the authors approval and want to make sure that you take nothing from the vision but to add to. This is the first time I’ve done anothers work. It has been both enlightening and interesting. I’ve watched plenty of books-turned-movies, and I’m attempting to duplicate to the best of my ability the professional and inspiring work that has moved me in times past. The only part that may be difficult when it comes to directing with the author is having to say “No, we can’t do that”…but that’s only after you’ve brainstormed for a while to see if it is possible. The last thing you’d want to do is add stress to either party.

Ujima: Is there specific message you hope the audience receives from the play?

Tawanna:
After seeing how hard the enemy has been fighting me on this production, even more so now, than when I first began this project, I want the audience to grab every nugget possible. There’s a stigma about church people. The world expects the church to already BE perfect. We’re not. That’s not to give way to say you can act any way in the house of God. The literature in this play I pray it will encourage someone to decide to be better, a better person, saint, mother, father, friend, husband, wife, church member and whatever other role you hold dear to your heart. God calls us to these roles. And when we allow greed, and self to get in the way, we damage the hearts of good people and then they blame God for it. So I pray someone is inspired to come out, to walk away from any abusive relationship and all else.   

Ujima: Is there anything you would like share of make sure our readers know about your role or the play?

Tawanna:
Well, I’m your writer, director and producer, aka the female Tyler Perry (lol) The proud creator of the long running hit stage play “Phazes of a Womans Soul” part 1 and 2 and soon to introduce part 3 as we are preparing to bring you slightly revised Christmas version this December. I’m the face of She Smiles Entertainment which hosts other signature events such as “A Sanctified Showdown” and “An Evening with the Moms”.

You can read more about me at http://www.SheSmilesEnt.com ……and I’ll see you in the theatre!

Ujima thanks Tawanna for her time and congratulations on the play!

#tawannajackson, #2ndsunday, #stageplay

Damita Miller-Shanklin

Ujima Magazine