Sweet Bea’s: A Cabaret

Abstract

Sweet Bea’s is a cabaret, the goal for this project was not only to fulfill the University of Washington’s MFA thesis requirement but to create a piece of work that could be performed across the country. In my admissions letter to the School of Drama I wrote fondly of my family’s weekly gatherings often underscored by The Blues, in that letter I acknowledged those meetings as the genesis of my journey as an actor. Revisiting those events in this thesis allowed me to pay homage to those that helped me get to this point while simultaneously birthing a show that highlights the importance of family, resilience, and love. Major themes also explored in my show include my adoration and respect for Black women, the strength of the Black family, and demystifying a false narrative of life in urban communities. This piece is an ode and a thank to my family and an excited look ahead of what’s to come.