Gee’s Bend closes Saturday at Star Center Theatre
The Star Center Theatre’s production of “Gee’s Bend” made its debut in Gainesville under special guest director T’Keyah Crystal Keymah, a well-known celebrity with a career of more than four decades with experience in television, film and theatre.
“Gee’s Bend,“ set in 1939 on the banks of the Alabama River in West Alabama in Wilcox County, depicts three generations of women who preserve culture through the quilts they create.
Keymah said “Gee’s Bend” is not so much about quilts as it is about legacy and cultural preservation. She said it’s a Black History Month story that champions the strength of women.
“It has become a road map, warning sign of generational lessons learned or lost, generational trauma healed or embedded and the divine guidance that makes the difference,” she said.
Keymah’s extensive body of work includes starring on the hit television Disney show “That’s So Raven;” her comedic excellence on the early ‘90s sketch comedy show “In Living Color,” her eclectic role on CBS’s “Cosby” that aired from 1996-2000 and other productions.
Keymah is originally from Chicago and now resides in Hollywood, California, and is a member of the Directors Guild of America.
She said she met Rhonda Wilson, founder and artistic director of the Star Center Theatre, for the first time in Memphis, Tennessee at a Black Theatre Conference and became friends. Later, Keymah directed Wilson in the “M: The Mandela Saga” at the Atlanta Black Theater Festival.
“I love to direct,” said Keymah. “I like to work with emerging companies and people.”
Keymah said she has been directing “Gee’s Bend” digitally for a month before coming to Gainesville to direct onsite.
“We want to raise the level of performance by bringing her here and opening the doors,” said Wilson. “She wants to help African American theatre and share her skills.”
Keymah, who started out in community theatre, praised the Gainesville community for its support and enthusiastic response to the Star Center Theatre, and parents who volunteer at the theatre.
Keymah shared her expertise Saturday by conducting the “Tools of the Trade” workshop for aspiring and working performers held on the stage of the Star Center Theatre where about eight participants received individual attention and the opportunity to perform an audition, followed by critique and a chance to re-do their performance.
“Everything has rules and standards,” said Keymah, who gave detailed information that covered such things as resumes (no more than one page), photos (8×10 glossies), auditions (keep them to no more than 2 minutes ), internet presence (remember it’s forever) and so much more.
Keymah said she got her start in acting at the age of 4 or 6 years of age in her grandmother’s living room doing shows for her grandparents with her sisters and cousins also acting. They sold admission tickets to her family.
“I never wanted to do anything else,” said Keymah, about her love for the performing arts.
Keymah studied directing at Florida A&M University and Florida State University, both in Tallahassee, where she earned a bachelor of science degree in theatre. Since then, she has produced, directed and/or choreographed numerous theatrical projects. She also studied film-making and screenwriting. For her extensive body of work and philanthropic endeavors, Keymah received an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree from FAMU.
In 2017, Keymah was the first W.K. Kellogg Foundation Artist-in- Residence in the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities at FAMU.
What: Gee’s Bend play
When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
Where: Star Center Theatre, 11 NE 23rd Ave.
Tickets: $22, $18 and $15
Information: 352-745-5450 or visit www.starcentertheatre.org.
