NEWS
Events below are projects I am currently working and/or are soon to come.
Click the titles to open links to work.
as Richard Wright
March, 1941, the St. James Theatre in New York. On the eve of opening night, a difference of opinion over a single page of the script threatens an impasse between two literary giants of the 20th Century. As rehearsal continues around Richard Wright and Paul Green, led by the mercurial Orson Welles, the ensuing argument - delving into race, class, politics, and personal story - seems destined to dissolve the writers’ friendship.
The Problem of the Hero is an official selection of the following film festivals:
Santa Fe Film Festival
Santa Fe, New Mexico - February 17, 2023
RiverRun International Film Festival
Winston-Salem, North Carolina - April 18, 2023
Harlem International Film Festival
New York, New York
Footcandle Film Festival
Hickory, North Carolina - September 20, 2023
Richmond International Film Festival
Richmond, Virginia - October 1, 2023
Naples International Film Festival
Naples, Florida - October 27, 2023
St. Louis International Film Festival
St. Louis, Missouri - November 11, 2023
San Francisco IndieFest
San Francisco, California - February 8 - 18, 2024
Fargo Film Festival
Fargo, North Dakota - March 21, 2024
New Hope Film Festival
New Hope, Pennsylvania - April 5 - 14, 2024
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**NEW PRODUCTION COMPANY**
Reclaiming Our Time Productions
Artistic Director
Reclaiming Our Time [RecTime] Productions is the brainchild of J. Mardrice Henderson and partner, Natasha A. Jackson.
ogether, they felt the need for a production company that not only showcases the stories of marginalized groups but cultivates the work of creatives who may be new to theatre. J. and Natasha surrounded themselves with a group of individuals with notable experience in acting, directing, dramaturgy, sound design, and stage management, therefore establishing a theatre collective.
The vast experience of theatre that we share gives both insight and foresight to what is lacking in theatre today. Our conversations are filled with brainstorming sessions, areas where we can provide improvement, and genuine concern for each other and our theatre community.
RecTime's Inaugural production will be Native by Ian Finley. This production is a partnership with North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre [NRACT] and EbzB Productions. Performances will be September 13-15 & 20-22. Tickets can be found at www.reclaimingourtime.org/current
Premiered January 2019
as Todd Austen
Hype is a 5-episode web series (TV show formatted for the Internet), set in Durham, NC, about the decisions we make to accept our reality, or to escape it.
Presented by RUNAWAY®
The story of HYPE centers around a young man, Smiles, who is trying to buy the house of his adolescent love so she can move back to the city they both grew up in. He works as a manager at a local market to save up the money, but it’s not coming in fast enough.
When he’s approached by a young woman (Ava) who tells him he is the perfect co-founder for her new company, he hesitantly agrees — not entirely sure of his role. As the company develops, Smiles and Ava become entrenched in a local music scene rife with interpersonal conflict and cocky oneupmanship, as well as ambitious, entrepreneurial-minded artists looking for the kind of big break Ava & Smiles might be offering. Ultimately, everyone involved must choose to either take a chance on the unexpected or settle for the status quo
Ongoing Touring Production
as Richard Wright
Native by Ian Finley is a relevant and powerful production based on the true story of the collaboration between Pulitzer Prize winner, Paul Green, and the prodigy author of Native Son, Richard Wright. Produced by EbzB Productions, Native features David zum Brunnen as Paul Green and J. Mardrice as Richard Wright. Serena Ebhardt directs.
Native details the metamorphic debate between Paul Green and Richard Wright. The authors were originally brought together by the Mercury Theatre to adapt Wright’s novel, Native Son for the stage. Green, a white southern professor, and Wright, a self-educated African-American with communist sympathies, forge a deep respect for each other as they discuss systemic discrimination of African-Americans. They start their collaboration in Chapel Hill, NC like a “house on fire.”
Then in 1941, with World War II on the horizon, the two authors meet again in New York for rewrites. Orson Welles’ Broadway production is already in rehearsal. Differences over a single page of the script create an impasse between Green and Wright. A life-changing dialogue about who has the right to tell the story of race, politics and social class ensues. In spite of their common goal to affect social change, the scintillating revelations dissolve the friendship of the two influential social justice authors.
Premiered 2017
as Josh
by Nic Beery
Adult twins Josh and Sheryl are at a crossroads. Their Daddy recently died, and they have met in a park to spread his ashes. It is also the day their relationship comes to a head, and there's no turning back. A film full of emotion, ultimately it's dad's memory that will always bond them. Featuring the music of Danny Elfman (Beetlejuice, The Simpsons, Pee Wee's Big Adventure), RABBITS was originally produced for the Los Angeles Film Festival.
Premiered December 2019
as Bryce
by Rasheen "El Dattio" Cobb
A short film about two people who met online & discover dark realities on a life changing first date.
