IS THIS YOURFIRST TIME?

B L U E B U T T E R F L YTHE BLACK BALLERINA

HIDDENTALENTS

"WHY i LOVEDIRECTING"

DR . SHONDRIKAMOSS-BOULDIN

JUNE 2016

UP CLOSE- 9 ACTORS THAT WILLCAPTURE OUR THEATRE HEARTS

SHAKIMA KELLY TALKS WHAT ITTAKES TO MANAGE A STAGE

E X C L U S I V EE X C E R P T !A CANDID LOOK INTO PRODUCING A PLAY

FOR THE FIRST TIME

C O N T E N T S4 The Play Note

5 Up Close: Nine ActorsWHO AREN'T AFRAID TO GET UPCLOSE

7 Special Feature: Is This Your FirstTime?A CANDID LOOK INTO PRODUCING APLAY FOR THE FIRST TIME

9 Exclusive Excerpt: Why I LoveDirectingDr. Shondrika Moss-Bouldin

10 Hidden Talents: Shakima KellyWhat IT TAKES TO DIRECT A STAGE

BLUE BUTTERFLY - THE BLACK BALLERINA PLAY

13 The Wrap Up

11 The Press Release

3 VIP EXPERIENCE

B L U E BU T T E R F L Y - T H E B L A C K B A L L E R I N A | 2

Play Websitewww .bluebutterflytheplay .com

Tickets Now On Sale!

MariettaPerforming

Arts Center -June 16-19 ,

2016

$45 for 2 VIP Access Tickets Only. Ticketsto see the performance will need to bepurchased separately.

WHAT 'S INCLUDED

3 | B L U E BU T T E R F L Y - T H E P L A Y

BLUE BUTTERFLY VIPEXPERIENCE

”“THE BOOK

THE VIP GIFT BOX

THE FOOD

THE PRICE

(2) copies of the Print Edition of BlueButterfly

(2) Access Tickets to the Blue ButterflyVIP Experience on June 17, 2016 @ 6:00pm.

A box filled with exclusive treats pickedonly for our VIP guests.

Black Pepper Chicken, Orange Chicken,and More

BLUE BUTTERFLYTHE

VIP EXPERIENCE

Award-winning author Marian L. Thomas bringsthe adaptation of her acclaimed book BlueButterfly to the Marietta Performing Arts Center.The historical drama offers an intimate look intothe life of "Precious Blue Johnson," a youngwoman fighting against standards andstereotypes in her quest to become the firstworld-renowned black ballerina. Blue Butterfly:The Black Ballerina portrays the sting ofbetrayal, the struggle to forgive and the powerof love. It's a poignant and entrancing love storyinspired by the real-life achievements oftrailblazing African-American ballerinas like theAmerican Ballet Theatre's principal dancerMisty Copeland, as well as Lauren Anderson,Aesha Ash and Janet Collins.

The Play Note

BLUE BUTTERFLY - THE BLACK BALLERINA

JUNE16 | 17 | 18 | 19

9 Actors That Will Capture Our Theatre Hearts

B L U E BU T T E R F L Y - T H E P L A Y | 5

David Rucker III (as Samuel Christopher Jackson), Joanie Geiger(as Melissa), Derrell Lester (as Charles Johnson)

UP CLOSE

Antonia McManus (as Precious Blue Johson), Durrell Lyons (as RaySilvers), Luke Steely (as Angelo T. Rossi)

Elaine Wadsworth (as Ms. Ann), Darin Sahler (as Ed Patterson),Yolanda Grier (as Trudy Johnson)

AUTHOR

A W A R D -W I N N I N G

Amazon

B & N

Google Books

5

iTunes

Kindle

Nook

CONTEMPORARY FICTIONBooks for Women

AUTHOR WEBSITEwww.marianlthomas.com

WHERE TO PURCHASEYou can order any books by Marian at

your local bookstore or library.

MARIAN L.WIFE | AUTHOR | P EN PUSHER

Thomas

BOOK TITLESColor Me Jazzmyne

My Father's Colors

Strings Of Color

Aqua Blue

Blue Butterfly

IS THIS YOURFIRST TIME?

A CANDID LOOK INTO PRODUC ING A PLAYFOR THE F IRST T IME

However, I still love it. The idea of something I wrote,

coming alive on a stage makes me blush just to think

about. It's amazing to watch. To witness beauty and

creativity intertwined.

For me, the journey to producing a play started a year

ago. It was a conversation that became a plan. Actions

sprang forth like bubbling water that I didn't want to

turn off.

A play has so many moving parts. It's not like a puzzle

that you have to put together. It's constantly changing

into something more than you imagined. The

challenges scared me but I used that fear to push

forward. I refused to give into them. I refused to

allow the thought of failure to stop me. I believe

that everyone has fears. Fears get things

accomplished. We have to stop thinking that fear is

a bad thing. It's okay to be afraid. Fear can keep you

from doing stupid things and push you to do great

things. It's how you use your fear that matters.

People on your journey. That's what you need.

People who not only believe in you, but they also

believe in your journey. From your director to your

stage manager to yourself. Yes, both of your feet

must be solidly fixed on your path. You have to be

the one to fight when others try to push you off .

One important lesson that I had to accept was that

there will be times when you have to nudge some

off your journey and that's okay.

Vision. Having one is vital. It's your lifeline. You may

not be able to see all the tiny details clearly, but,

when you can see the bigger picture...that's when

the bells start ringing and the impossible becomes

possible.

Producing a play is like a bad storm that is

followed by a rainbow. It's not easy but can

be beautiful. Most days I can't believe my

dream is going to become a reality and some

days, I just want to scream.

PAGE 7 BLUE BUTTERFLYSPECIAL FEATURE

DR. SHONDRIKA Moss-Bouldin

THE DIRECTOR

WHY ILOVEDIRECTINGBy Dr . Shondr i ka

Moss -Bou ld in

E X C L U S I V E E X C E R P T

Directing enables me to have aplatform to tell a variety ofstories that I value and it allowsme to reach a multitude ofpeople from variousbackgrounds.

.

By having theatre as aplatform, I am able to be avoice for the voiceless. It isvery empowering to share astory with others that can beviewed as a life lesson whilesimultaneously entertaining anaudience.

In addition to being theultimate storyteller as adirector, I love working withactors. Actors are verypassionate about embodyingthe script and I admire theircommitment to honoring thestory.

It is a privilege to work withtalented actors that are just asdedicated to telling a powerfulstory.

I feel it is my responsibility as adirector to make sure that Icreate moments on stage thatwill take the audience's breathaway with strong imagery withthe embodied text. There is nogreater satisfaction as a directorthan knowing that I made animpact on someone's lifethrough art.

B L U E B U T T E R F L Y - T H E B L A C K B A L L E R I N A | 9

"I love

challenging

the audience

to reflect on

their world

view."

SHAKIMA KELLYTHE STAGE MANAGER

'20 '16

JUNE 16 - 19HIDDEN TALENTS

he stage manager is the 'key' toeverything that happens on the stage. Fromcostumes, makeup to props, the stage managerensures that what the audience sees, is what theDirector intended.

It's a challenge and a heavy responsibility, but Iwelcome it. It's thrilling to see it all cometogether in the end. The stage manager spendsmost of their time behind the curtain. We arenever seen but felt. We touch everything.

The actors depend on the stage manager tomake sure they are where they need to bewhen they need to be there. The sound andlighting techs depend on the stage managerfor their cues. We call the show.

The biggest challenge of being a stagemanager is seeing the Director's vision. It hasto become clear. It has to become yourvision. When it does, it's like the doors openand you know your key works. It's not magic,it's art.

T

p. 10

FROM HISTORY. TO BOOK. TO PLAY.MARIAN L. THOMAS PRESENTS

BLUE BUTTERFLY-THE BLACK BALLERINA

USA Today Recommended Book Adapted for the StageBrings the Struggles of Black Ballerinas to Life

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

Marietta, GA —This summer, the award-winning author Marian L. Thomas, will bring the adaptation of heracclaimed book Blue Butterfly to the Marietta Performing Arts Center in Marietta, GA. Blue Butterfly – TheBlack Ballerina will offer a memorable performance from June 16 through June 19, 2016. The performance,by a well-talented multi-cultural cast, provides an intimate look into the life of the character dubbed

“Precious Blue Johnson” - a young woman struggling to become the first black ballerina.

Play Takes Inspiration From Trailblazers Such AsMisty Copeland

Blue Butterfly - The Black Ballerina is said to be a poignant and entrancing play inspired by some of thegreatest black ballerinas to take the ballet stage. “The word “ballerina” traditionally invokes the image of abeautiful and radiant Caucasian woman dancing with classical grace,” said Marian L. Thomas. However,that misconception has been shattered forever thanks to ballerinas like Misty Copeland – a dancer who

has made history as a member of the prestigious American Ballet Theatre and as the first AfricanAmerican Female Principal Dancer. Ms. Copeland, along with Lauren Anderson (Houston Ballet), AeshaAsh (New York City Ballet), and Janet Collins (Metropolitan Ballet) are known as trailblazers who have

been breaking the barriers with fortitude and grace.

Calendar InformationPerforming Arts | Theater

WHATBlue Butterfly – The Black Ballerina

By Marian L. ThomasDirected by Dr. Shondrika Moss-Bouldin

Story Consultation by Shandra Lynn McDonaldStage Management by Shakima Kelly

p. 11

PREVIEW SHOWJune 16, 2016

MAIN PERFORMANCE DATESFriday | June 17 | 7:30pmSaturday | June 18 | 7:30pmSunday | June 19 | 5:00pm

WHEREMarietta Performing Arts Center | 1171 Whitlock Ave NW, Marietta, GA 30064

ABOUT THE PLAYBlue Butterfly – The Black Ballerina looks to deliver a powerful and emotional story of romance, secrets,betrayal and forgiveness. Directed by Dr. Shondrika Moss-Bouldin, the play is geared toward the hearts ofall women – and the men who love them – everywhere. With the book already getting rave reviews, the

play is anticipated to attract an unprecedented attendance.

Four Act Play | run time 2 hours

TICKETS$34-$44 | www.bluebutterflytheplay.com

MEDIA CONTACTLarrita Browning | 404-491-1461 | mediarequests@bluebutterflytheplay.com

p. 12

BLUE BUTTERFLY HAS A WONDERFULQUALITY WITHIN ITS PROSE THAT

ENABLES YOU TO HEAR THE WORDS, THEDIALOGUE, THE BALLET MOVEMENT, AND

MUSIC, POWERFULLY TOLD IN THESTORY. A LITERARY STYLE THATREMINDS ME OF SUE MONK KIDD'S.

"THE STORY IS RICH WITH HISTORY ANDROMANCE THAT IS TOLD TO ENTERTAIN

AND EDUCATE WITH A LAYEREDAPPROACH.

USA TODAY

The

Wrap

UP

Michelle Monkou

p. 13

B L U E B U T T E R F L YTHE BLACK BALLERINA

Visit TheWebsite

For SpecialDiscounts

JUNE 2016

www.bluebutterflytheplay.com

G E T Y O U RT I C K E T S