Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy,
250 East 111th Street, Chicago, IL 60628 at 7:30pm .
The Family Mantle, won 1st place in the 18th Annual Drama Competition sponsored by ABC2 and The Arena Players, Inc. and also won Derrell an Individual Grant Award in playwriting from the Maryland Arts Council. The play aired on ABC channel 2 on February 26, 2000, in celebration of Black History Month.
What's the play about? is a fair question and without giving it all away I can tell you that it's a two act drama about three brothers: Quentin, Dinny and Jerome Nolan who return to the family estate after their parents are killed in a plane crash. Arriving at the family home the brothers quickly find themselves dealing with old jealousies and unresolved conflicts. Matters are complicated further when a family secret is discovered and one brother struggles with a potentially fatal illness.
Ordinarily Derrell's plays are housed solely in Maryland, so it's completely understandable that the Zionward Productions Family are running over with excitement at such a thrilling opportunity to perform in Chicago. I know there are other playwright's out there who have always dreamed of stepping outside of their home towns and traveling to various places showcasing their work...often times the one thing that keeps them from doing so is the challenge/lack of financial resources. No doubt about it, finances certainly play an often paralyzing role in getting your work showcased period but it definitely ups the ante when you wish to take it abroad.
How was Derrell able to do it?...many of you may wonder. Well, the truth is I don't know all the details about how all of this came to be but here's what I do know-
This was no overnight accomplishment. Don't think for a second that this came easy for Derrell. This dream come true opportunity came by way of hard work, determination, financial resources and relationships. I know when you hear the word "Relationships" your mind instantly goes to "Oh, it's who you know" and while I know that sentiment leaves a bad taste in some people's mouths, it doesn't stop it from being true to a degree.
Last year Playwright Derrell G. Owens participated in a 20 minute Stage Play Competition, A Taste of Theatre in Chicago, where each performance was judged by audience ballot. While Derrell's play didn't win one of the 3 prizes that day it was quite clear that the audience received his work wonderfully...so much so that he was extended an invite by Victor Gulley, Founder of "A Taste Of Theatre", to return to Chi-Town and perform his entire production of "The Family Mantle". See what I mean by relationships?
If any of you out there know Derrell &/or have had the pleasure of working with him creatively knows that he is an amazing, kind, warm spirited person who takes pride in everything that he creates and his professionalism is widely respected. I said all of that to say that people appreciate professionalism. People also appreciate those who are kind and easy to work with. It is often those three things that make for a great working relationship. It certainly proved true in Derrell's case, hence his upcoming debut in Chicago!!!!
I am certainly over the moon for Derrell and the entire cast and crew of The Family Mantle. We're going to leave our hearts on that stage because that's what we do...WE SLAYYYYYY!!
Wanna see pics of the cast? Thought so(LOL). Your wish has been granted!
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| DERRELL G. OWENS AS DENNISON NOLAN |
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| BRIAN HAMLETT AS JEROME NOLAN JR. |
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| MARCELL LARENZ AS QUENTIN NOLAN |
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| WINSTON COSSEY PARKS-BEY AS THOMPKINS |
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| JAMES C. MORANT AS JEROME NOLAN SR. |
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| MAHOGHANY AYOT EERISED AS DOROTHY NOLAN |
On behalf of the entire cast and crew, we appreciate all the support and well wishes! We will be sure to make you proud!!
xoxo,
Mahoghany
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