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See all Spotlights
03-04-10
1. DGC: How do you know that you are a good or great Playwright?
Michelle: That’s a hard question because I’m my toughest critic, but my motivation comes from all of the positive feedback I receive from my audience.
2. DGC: How many Plays have your written?
Michelle: I’ve written 5 plays. In fact, my first play was written after catching a cheating boyfriend – I guess that was my form of therapy… lol. And it’s never been produced.
3. DGC: As your audience exits, what will they be saying about what they just saw and heard?
Michelle: I believe they’ll say what they said after my past plays, “I loved it, and can’t wait until the next one.”
4. DGC: What is your biggest challenge in life?
Michelle: My biggest challenge is organization. If I had enough money to pay someone to organize everything I do, they would be rich!
5. DGC: Dinner and Theater in Dallas at TBAAL Why?
Michelle: It’s long overdue. By no means is dinner theatre a new concept, but it’s under-represented in our community. I want to create an entertainment destination that’s wholesome, captivating, and inspirational to both young and older adults. And I couldn’t think of a better venue than TBAAL – it’s a cultural arts landmark, and it’s centralized.
6. DGC: The New Play “Been There Done That” Is it Autobiographic?
Michelle: Not really, but in everything I’ve written, I experienced it directly or through observation . So, to answer your question, “Been there, done that.” lol
7. DGC: Where do you find the Energy and Inspiration to continue to write?
Michelle: Believe it or not, most of my energy and inspiration comes from music – from the sound of a beat, to the emotions behind the lyrics.
8. DGC: What has been your biggest disappointment in Life?
Michelle: My biggest disappointment is not believing in myself sooner.
9. What do you like Most and what do you like Least about Church Folk?
Michelle: My father is a preacher, so I have always been involved in church. My fondest memories of the church was when I was a kid – going to church 5 and 6 times a week, playing the tambourine, and watching people shout. Back then everything seemed so innocent, but once I grew up and became my own person, I saw a lot of things that turned me off like the “holier than thou” judgmental personalities some folks had. We need to get back to the basics and remember what we go to church for – to praise and worship God.
10. DGC: Looking at the audience reviews from your previous plays, I noticed a lot of people comparing you with Tyler Perry. Do you think you write like Tyler?
Michelle: Though I wrote my first play back in 1996, I lacked the confidence in my abilities, and didn’t try to do anything with it. But once Tyler busted open the theatre circuit, that not only gave me inspiration to pick the pencil back up, but it gave me confidence in my God-given gift of story-telling.
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