NEWS
Events below are projects I am currently working and/or are soon to come.
Click the titles to open links to work.
Premieres February 17, 2023
Santa Fe, New Mexico
as Richard Wright
EbzB is honored to be a recipient of the FootCandle Filmmaker Grant of The Year for the upcoming film, The Problem Of The Hero. This film is directed by Shaun Dozier, and is an adaptation of the play, Native by EbzB Productions and Ian Finley. David zum Brunnen stars as Paul Green and J. Mardrice stars as Richard Wright. Filming on location at Carolina Theatre in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Problem Of The Hero is scheduled for 2021 release.
The Problem of the Hero is an official selection in the Santa Fe Film Festival taking place in Santa Fe, NM on February 17. The premiere will
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 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
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.