Jovelyn Richards

Jovelyn Richards is a writer/director/ comedian, international improvisational performance artist living in Honolulu, HI. Jovelyn’s work has premiered (selected venues) The Marsh, SF, Afro Solo, SF, La Peña Cultural Center, Berkeley CA, Los Angeles Women’s Theater Festival, the National Black Theatre Festival, North Carolina, Oakland Comedy and Central Eastern University, Budapest, HU.

Jovelyn was honored to be artist in residence 2010-2019, La Pena Cultural Center in Berkeley, CA where Jovelyn directed and facilitated community members using their voice for social change including 9-1-1 What’s Your Emergency? -- an examination of the POC being harassed and traumatized by Whites to contain and control.

WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
http://jovelynrichards.com
FB:jovelynrichards
TW:@jovelynrichards
IG:@jovelynrichards

MORE ABOUT ME
What was your most gratifying moment in the theater?*
My play 'Come Home,' the story of a community of African Americans pre & post  WWll  and the impact of what war does to its people.

What play or production changed your life?*
Come Home was life-changing as solo artist work moved me deeply in the middle of the final scene when one character showed up and offered me both as writer and performer an emotional lens I had not encountered. It was magic!  

I feel most like myself when I ….*
When I'm playing in the theater with artists, I'm myself. 

How do you overcome disappointment?*
Not really part of my mindset; things happen, you move on.

If you could bring one change to theater, what would it be?*
POC/Black Women would do the next major body of work for no less than 10 years with complete support of allies.

What do you want artistic directors to know? *
If POC/Black Women, I want them to know they know so trust themselves and the magic of memory and hope. If not POC/Black Women, I would want them to know if you don't know by now and if 2020 and beginning of 2021 didn't show you, you don't want to know.

What’s the one thing nobody knows about you that you’d like them to know? *
I don't want to own a house, I don't want to own nothing but my thoughts and even those I want to give away as offerings to those needing em.

What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not writing?*
Making up stuff in my head and reading

Why do you keep doing theater? *
Complicated to why I keep doing theater... easier to say if I don't do theater, I'll end up married again and learn to die while still moving and nobody will know but me.

How do you imagine telling stories in these times? *
Through the memories of my ancestors.

WHAT I'M WORKING ON
It Was Never Just Sex: An exploration of emotional DNA inherited by a 1934s Jazz Club Owner who unknowingly is struggling with an traumatic incident from 1834 thrust on her shoulders to resolve. This is a multi-disciplinary piece using musicians, video and movement.

KEYWORDS
Spiritual, Bi-sexual, Food, Historical Drama, Environmental, Mystical, Erotic, Sensual, Black Woman, Mother, People of Color