G.O.D. Production Blog #2: What does it mean to "Do the Right Thing?"

Today is the first day of rehearsal...The above image was created by my artistic college Arielle Vaughan. This image is a snap shot of one of our main character's dream notebook...There is a huge theme in this play about being being active and involved but the play also discusses how we manifest our dreams into our realities and the process/obstacles we endure when we pursue what others consider to be impossible.

Doing the impossible is fun... in theory(lol) but it requires a lot of work and commitment! The process of bringing a story to the screen or to the stage can be exciting and exhausting all in the same breath(lol). Since casting, we have gone through a number of edits to the script, a few cast members have had to drop due to scheduling conflicts, rehearsal locations were shifted and now for the first week we'll have to rehearse in the living room of my home(we make it work lol). Myself and the other team members are on the grind 24/7, working 14 hour plus days (cause we have jobs during the day and pursue our dreams at night) But it's what we signed up for right? So no complaints, in times of pressure, I turn to books or stories for motivation. =) I had to recently revisit a favorite book of mine to gain perspective and focus....

My Dad gave this book to me when I was in the 7th grade when I used to walk around saying I wanted to be the female version of Spike Lee. My dad never shot a dream down but he ALWAYS was good for offering perspective on how to obtain your vision. I remember him telling me, "Everybody says they want to be a Director but who is really gonna take the time to write out the directions and lead?" This book is the production journal on what it took to produce the classic film "Do The Right Thing." My dad gave this to me to help me realize that in whatever you do in life, there is a process to obtaining it. I had to revisit this book to remind me, that we all have to put in work, effort, time, and sacrifice to make these written dreams come to life...And my dad was right, a lot of people say they "want" to direct or they "want" to perform but who takes the time to see it through? Things do not magically appear just because you "want it." You have to plan, organize, and execute. And even after all the planning and organizing you STILL have to remain flexible and resilient, because 70% of the time, plans fall through and things get delayed but you have to be willing to work through it and stay committed no matter what.

I've come to learn that doing the impossible also means getting through the impossible...

Reading Spike Lee's account on his trials and tribulations of bringing this film to life during a time in the 80's where black film directors were considered something "novel" or unheard of, gave me motivation to keep doing what we're doing. If you have not seen this film, go do yourself and favor and watch it now. The title "Do the Right Thing" is a call to action to get involved, stand up, and do what is right for yourself or your community...After reading this last night, I guess I'm left with the question (that I am now posing to you) what is doing the RIGHT thing for you? Is doing the right thing giving up the moment adversity comes your way? Or is doing the right thing standing up and pursuing after the dreams and goals that others considered to be the impossible? We cannot simply "want" things or even "try", we must be active and determined. We must DO what is right...

With the help of God and my faithful team, we'll "DO The Right Thing" by staying committed to this PROCESS by producing a show that you all will get an opportunity to enjoy in the less than7 weeks =) Ahhh the countdown begins!


And besides this is where the fun begins, which is why we're doing it to begin with =)

6/6/15 Cast Script Reading

G.O.D Production Blog #1: The Uprisings in Baltimore cannot remain just a hashtag...

I may be "a day late but for surely not a dollar short"


To be honest, I was a little hesitant on what to say exactly for this first production blog...

Outside of the production, an extreme amount of social havoc has been brewing... as my artistic Virgo brethren, Damon Hastings, who is part of the G.O.D. Production team said, "The pot has been bubbling for years... Baltimore barely represents the pot even boiling... I'm afraid of what happens when it starts to spill over"

The uprisings in Baltimore represent years of suppressed frustration of failed economic, political, and social systems...

I've been quietly watching and reading the posts of my peers...the ones who criticize, the ones who support, and even examining the ones who choose to remain silent...(what are you REALLY thinking...)

In any case I can't help but question...how long will the rants go for? And what will we hashtag next week?

I remember weeks ago we were talking about Walter Scott(remember him?) And then it was Bruce Jenner... Now it's the riots...so what will we go off about next?

I say "we" because I do not want to separate myself from a society of people I live with. I cannot be critical of others, if I am not first critical with myself...

These events are not something to simply rant about...it should force us to examine what ROLE we play in attempting to fight in the struggle...we cannot continually scroll through these issues. When we do so, we normalize the injustice and grow immune to it...everyone has to play a role in what is going on.

And of course you're thinking, "Well, what role are you playing Ayasha? Just making plays!?"

I'm just a writer & educator, who was blessed to be surrounded by like minded ambitious artists who believe in this vision of creating a theatre organization that would serve the people. So yes... I and others are making plays, BUT plays that serve our communities artistically as well financially. We are committed to serving our community with heart felt stories, cause in times like these, people NEED an outlet for hope and a place to express their anger in a system that continually rejects, neglects, dismisses, and even kills them...

Historically it has been proven in times of distress the arts serve as vehicle for hope and resolution. Even last night, my cast mate from "The Ohio State Murders", Alexis and I, discussed how we were an all black cast part of a white owned theatre company putting on a black play to an all white audience...not to say there is a problem with that...the problem is the fact that communities of color(particularly Black communities) are always striving for a place to call their own...if not a place, A LIFE!!

Call me crazy, but I am an Artist! And I believe art to be a weapon(not the only weapon) but a weapon that fosters hope, promotes awareness, and provides expression in times of pure frustration!

When we held auditions two weeks ago, the number one thing I heard from actors when we asked WHY they wanted to join this production was...

"This is something I can relate to. I want to be part of something that matters."

People want to feel connected, they want to feel heard, they want to believe that they matter, their lives matter! So our production is a form of activism that will provide a space for those in our community to feel safe and not feel alone.

The production team for this play is called "The Dream Chaser & Dream Makers"...inspired by Paulo Coelho's amazing story "The Alchemist"

My production team is made up of ACTIVE dream chasers. We're also lover of stories that speak to personal strength and struggle. This book tells the story of a young Shepard boy who follows his personal legend(his dream). In the book there is a quote that says when you follow your dreams "the universe will conspire on your behalf." Struggles and obstacles will present themselves but one must continue their quest no matter what.

Anyone who knows me, knows I am big on tradition. When we had our production team dinner at La Pinata Sunday night to go over the plans for production, it felt good to have the waiter sit us in the same EXACT spot(without asking) where we sat 5 years ago when we conspired our plan for the "And an Angel Came Down..." production. We all felt empowered, connected, & twice as motivated to produce this show...we knew the universe was working on our behalf...we knew we needed to put on this production so others like ourselves could express a story that they felt connected to. We felt and believed our community was (and still is) in turmoil and we could use our art to aid in providing hope for a Generation that continues to suffer.

Outside of the poetics of that moment we shared Sunday Night...the point I'm aiming to make is the theme of this play fits exactly with the frustration of what is going on right now in our society...How do we fight this system? How do we not grow complacent? How do we take responsibility for ourselves and our communities?!

Our reality seems bleak and cold but the dream we have for our community is vibrant,diligent, and full of life...one of the the main themes driving this play is how our dreams and reality are in conflict with each other but they co-exist. Meaning, although we are disgusted and infuriated with the injustices that take place in our society, the visionaries, the revolutionaries, the dreamers who become the doers, must continue to fight for what they believe in, and although we are not content with what it is, we can never give up on what can be...

In times of injustice... there is a time to speak up, and there is a time to burn things up... I'm not here to argue on which method you prefer, but I do challenge you to rise and DO SOMETHING. Because unless you are ACTIVELY participating in the struggle, you are in no place to judge those who are a making an effort to be heard...

We as artists, at Don't Even Tripp, wage war with our pens, our voices, our performances, and our overall stories... We wage war through THIS story 'Generation of Dreams.' It will demonstrate our frustration, our hope, and are action for change. It will also be a small step towards eventually owning our own space where everyone in the community can share their stories and feel safe doing so... that is the dream we have.

I assure you, the next production blog I can provide more of the day to day break down of the what is going on but I felt the need to provide you with our FOUNDATION of what is driving us to put on this show in the first place...I hope and pray that what we are doing helps others to think about what ROLE(artistically, socially, & politically) they play in this struggle...everybody can play a part...

So myself, the cast, and the production team are excited to share something you can connect with, relate to, and not feel alone in. Art has the power to heal, inspire, and provide hope. It may be in a fictional setting, a time in place where we all get to "pretend" but in reality, there is no pretending, we're just reflecting real life.

R.I.P. Stuart Scott! A man who stayed true to his voice! D.E.T. vows to do the same...

Stuart Scott
July 19th, 1965- January 4th 2015
"They call him butter cause he's on a roll"
Stuart was a man of wit, character, and a number of catch phrases! Watching him on ESPN always brought a smile to my face. It also subconsciously provided me with a sense of comfort and pride in how I chose to express myself. So when I decided to name the organization, Don't Even Tripp, I couldn't help but think like Stuart and say one of his famous terms "Booyah!" The people are gonna feel this!

However...A friend of mine said...

“If you want anyone to take you seriously, you should seriously reconsider naming Don’t Even Tripp Productions to something that sounds more professional.”

My friend who said this, did not mean any harm in his words. He was also not the first nor the last person to critique the company’s name. The argument for changing our name is based in the theory that “Don’t Even Tripp” seems 'too urban' and lacks a professional "feel"

When people say this I try my best to remain calm and listen to their point of view...

But to be honest,I sort of want to cut them off and go off like Kanye...

HOWEVER, that's not productive. And besides, in the industry of theatre and LIFE, you not only need to have a tough skin, but a bullet proof vest mind that is allergic to BS and ignorance. You also cannot take things personal because everyone has their opinion and preference. However, this is not about preference or taking things personal. This is about how urban culture, BLACK culture, is something that people love but at the same time want to either shelter or water down. It may not sound like a big deal to some but for those who are familiar with the concept of having to “tone down” or “assimilate” in order to appeal to a bigger mass, at times it can be quite daunting and even upsetting.

We could have found a different name, something more "safe" or "familiar." But we're not about doing what is safe. We're about taking risks, because with risks comes growth. The name, Don't Even Tripp, is ours! The name is MY family name. The name speaks to how we are NOT going to 'worry' or TRIPP about the issues plaguing our society. Instead, we’re going to take control and create narratives that speak to those in our community. So like we've said before, Don't Even Trpp, we got this!

I was reminded recently of how important is to remain true to your voice and who you are, not only as an artist but also as a person. The recent passing of ESPN News Anchor Stuart Scott is a prime example of an individual who did not water down or mask himself to appeal to a greater audience. His style, his flare, HE, himself, was a living icon. More then a trendsetter, but an eye opener. Opening the eyes of those who thought urban black hip hop culture could not be demonstrated in mainstream sports news. He was an amazing sports commentator, who was educated, remained professional, engaging, fun, and original. Although it is unfortunate he passed at such a young age(49), his style of reporting, his essence, and overall being was able to connect to not only urban audiences but all audiences. Because he remained true to who he was and what he loved.

I decided to write this blog because I believe we constantly have people telling us how or who we should be. It is a freedom, a privilege, and a blessing to break the barriers of others opinions and stay true to who you are. I pay homage and respect to Stuart Scott and others like him who are passionate about their craft and remain true to their voice despite the opinions of others. I write this blog to to anyone out there who has ever felt as if they had to pretend or mask down in the hopes of appealing to another demographic.

In reference to D.E.T., I look at like this, yes “Don’t Even Tripp” is an urban term but why should we be deemed as unprofessional? Or why should that be negative? The people behind the scenes are educated, open minded, hard working, driven individuals who are about making theatre that uplifts and entertains. If you judge us for the name that’s ok, there will be plenty of others who will know the work speaks for itself. And besides, just how the company names stands out, so do our productions!


In closing…be true to who are, there is only one you. Don’t Even Tripp believes in standing out and not blending in, what do you believe in?