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Provocative new play ‘Conversations’ coming to Snaps TapsNorman Branch and Jenifer Washington rehearse a scene from the new play “Conversations,” which will be presented Sept. 6 and 13 at Snaps Taps, 44 S. Washington Ave.By CHRIS BOURNEAContributing Writer“Conversations,” a two-act play written and directed by Shakira Leak, will be presented on Saturdays, Sept. 6 and1 Q of Q onrl 1 H rv m -of Cnoncafraid to tell her that the baby she’s carrying isn’t his, to a man who is trying to overcome drug addiction, but keeps being tempted into backsliding by his girlfriend.“It takes you on a rollernnocfor r\i omnfinno n I not/the years.“I’m a person who likes to run my mouth, she said, laughing. “People have secrets they want to tell. I have so many acquaintances and friends, and you get on the phone and you’re like, ‘GirlIn one scene from “Conversations,” a man takes his wife out to dinner to inform her that, after many years together and having children, he’s decided to “come out of the closet.” In another scbne, a man becomes so possessive of his girlfriend when she tries to break off their relationship that he threatens to take her life.“His solution is, ‘If I can’t have you, no one will,”’ Leak said.The play is designed to be thought-provoking as well as entertaining, she said.“I like to write about drama,“I was good at telling a story. I've been doing it since I was in middle school” she said.Leak said one of her first attempts at storytelling was rewriting a Greek myth for a school English assignment from a Black perspective.“My teacher was so impressed with that,” she said.“Conversations” features all local talent, including actors Roderick “Trifari” Wilson, Norman Branch, Charlene Bryant, Emanueal Buckley, Miesha Cannaday, Ashley Jones, Carla McCrary, Tameka Sheline, Jenifer Washington and Tanya Washington.Understandable, given that Leak said one of her goals in bringing “Conversations” to the stage was to showcase local talent.“I really appreciate the opportunity to open doors, notcomedies that come through town.“You want to see something different that shows us as a people,” she said. “We should try to show other facets of ourselves. I like comedy and I like to laugh, but I also like drama. Actors and actresses really need a chance to show what they can do and [prove] ‘I’m not just here to make you laugh!”’Snaps Taps is co-pre-senting “Conversations” along with Zanovia Productions. Todd Tuney, proprietor of Snaps Taps, said he would like to present the work of more local playwrights and actors.“We have been starting to really develop in our programming,” he said. “Being an art lounge, we have always focused on promoting the arts, whether it’s the visual arts with the art gallery, or jazz artists orLiving the Dream Theater. Tuney said Snaps Taps presents theatrical productions about once or twice a year, but would like to increase that number to once a month.Following the run of “Conversations,” two plays are scheduled to be presented at Snaps Taps this fall: “Bedroom Conversations” in October, and “Money Got Wings,” by award-winning playwright Is Said, in November.Part of the reason he opened Snaps Taps, Tuney said, is to shine a spotlight on local talent.“It’s hard for me to see people that have talent and don’t use it. Columbus has a large talent pool, but a lot of people don’t want to showcase it,” he said. “This is an excellent venue for budding artists.”Tickets for “Conversations” are $10 in advance and $15 at4.1 - m « V/-N i r-trr-t l /~v *•
Newspaper Details
Cincinnati Call and Post
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
Thu, Sep 04, 2003
Page 10
Full Page
Clipped by
Shakira L.
USA 21 May 2025
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