Post by Jonel on Jun 19, 2003 15:10:28 GMT -5
Playwright has nothing to cry about
By Christine Cole
Sentinel Correspondent
June 19, 2003
LEESBURG -- Leesburg native D.J. Coleman has always been a bit of an overachiever.
His first two plays, How I Made It Over and I Shall Overcome, were based on novels he wrote during his first years at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, where he majors in psychology.
And now he returns home with his third play, set for a hometown performance Saturday. I've Cried for the Last Time will be performed at 6 p.m. at Paul P. Williams Auditorium in the Fine Arts Complex at Lake-Sumter Community College.
The senior at Bethune-Cookman wrote the drama and its rhythm-and-blues and gospel-influenced songs.
He also served as the play's producer and director.
The plot centers on a female rhythm-and-blues singer whose success has brought money and fame but not happiness.
Religion is a thread that connects all his work, but his real theme is empowerment.
"I hope to inspire other young African-Americans to achieve and to dare to dream," he said. "You can be anythingif you put your mind to it."
Coleman's plans to tour the play have been sped along by his new agent, Justina Jones of J'Garri Entertainment in Atlanta.
Jones, daughter of the Temptations' former lead singer, Ali "Ollie" Woodson, has the connections to put his work in front of entertainment executives in Los Angeles, Coleman said.
Having grown up in Carver Heights, he served as student-government president at Leesburg High School in 1997-98.
He's not sure what he will do after he graduates from college next year, but he has faith in himself.
"I'm dreaming it now, and it's going to happen," he said. "I cannot die until everyone knows I have lived."
Tickets are $5 and available from Billy and Tameka Mays of 4 Real Productions, 352-787-6006, at the Citadel of Hope Church of God, 352-787-7166, and at the door.
Copyright © 2003, Orlando Sentinel
www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orl-lklcoleman19061903jun19,0,6501769.story?coll=orl-news-print-asec
By Christine Cole
Sentinel Correspondent
June 19, 2003
LEESBURG -- Leesburg native D.J. Coleman has always been a bit of an overachiever.
His first two plays, How I Made It Over and I Shall Overcome, were based on novels he wrote during his first years at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, where he majors in psychology.
And now he returns home with his third play, set for a hometown performance Saturday. I've Cried for the Last Time will be performed at 6 p.m. at Paul P. Williams Auditorium in the Fine Arts Complex at Lake-Sumter Community College.
The senior at Bethune-Cookman wrote the drama and its rhythm-and-blues and gospel-influenced songs.
He also served as the play's producer and director.
The plot centers on a female rhythm-and-blues singer whose success has brought money and fame but not happiness.
Religion is a thread that connects all his work, but his real theme is empowerment.
"I hope to inspire other young African-Americans to achieve and to dare to dream," he said. "You can be anythingif you put your mind to it."
Coleman's plans to tour the play have been sped along by his new agent, Justina Jones of J'Garri Entertainment in Atlanta.
Jones, daughter of the Temptations' former lead singer, Ali "Ollie" Woodson, has the connections to put his work in front of entertainment executives in Los Angeles, Coleman said.
Having grown up in Carver Heights, he served as student-government president at Leesburg High School in 1997-98.
He's not sure what he will do after he graduates from college next year, but he has faith in himself.
"I'm dreaming it now, and it's going to happen," he said. "I cannot die until everyone knows I have lived."
Tickets are $5 and available from Billy and Tameka Mays of 4 Real Productions, 352-787-6006, at the Citadel of Hope Church of God, 352-787-7166, and at the door.
Copyright © 2003, Orlando Sentinel
www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orl-lklcoleman19061903jun19,0,6501769.story?coll=orl-news-print-asec
