#attic studios

1. Why should anybody see your show? 

It is a really heart warming story of finding yourself by going somewhere else. It is a true story based on my experiences of traveling to Africa and working with school kids there teaching theatre. My life at the moment was in free-fall because of various reasons and by going to this marvelous country and working with  100’s of kids every day, I find a new perspective on life and my art. The experience really changed my life. So it is serious but really funny at the same time – because the American culture is so very different from their day to day life. So kind of a stranger in a strange land feeling.

2. Why Atlanta? 

I grew up in Georgia. I am from Valdosta. Left here after college to go to New York and then LA. Where I have spent most of my adult life, but still have family and friends in and around Atlanta – so when I found out about Atlanta Fringe – I wanted to bring my show here. I am very excited.

3. What inspired you to create this? 

I got back from Africa and I knew my life was different, but sometimes that is hard to put into practice. So I had to think about it and figure out how my new beliefs and focus would fit into my old life. Part of that process was developing this show which I took back to Africa the next year for its World Premiere.

4. What’s your process for creating and rehearsing something like this?  

Doing a one man show is totally different than any other theatre that I have done. It was me and that was all for months until I had a workable script and then I invited friends-professionals that I have worked with to see it and give me notes. The first time I did it in Zimbabwe where they have censorship, the secret police came out to see it to make sure I did not make fun of the Life Long President Robert Mugabe.

Above: Still not as tough a critic as Michael Riedel. 

5. What have you learned from working on your show so far?

Patience. Never was very patient until this experience. Maybe it is the knowledge that comes with getting older, but this experience and taking the show around this country and the world as made me so aware of what we have in comparison to others and how to just slow down a little and enjoy some of it.

6. Tyler Perry, Jane Fonda, Killer Mike and NeNe Leakes roll up at your show. There is one ticket left. Who gets it?  

Well, I have worked with Jane Fonda on the Newsroom and she is a long time favorite of mine. But probably Tyler so he will give me a job in one of his films!!!

“What’s up, James? I thought we were cool!” 

7. Atlanta’s foodie scene is really on point these days. What does your show taste like? (Bonus points if you can name-check an ATL restaurant.)

Watershed on Peachtree. I have eaten there a couple of times. Great re-thought Southern food.

8. Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: would you want your parents in the front row or would you tell them, “Maybe skip this one, guys…”?

Front row. I want then to see what the college investment in me bought them. LOL.

9. Will your show save mankind?

No, but it will tell people about a wonderful country where they don’t take anything for granted. They like Americans, and look up to us as a wonderful place. They don’t want our money but they appreciate the help. They are a warm, generous, and very positive people in spite of the fact that they live in a crooked dictatorship. They always look ahead.

10. Oh boy! A mysterious benefactor gave you a million dollars after your first show! What do you do?

Pay off my house and start traveling again to find new material for my next one man show. Help out some of my friends back in Zim who are struggling during a really bad time there right now.  

11. Describe your show in three words.

True, Funny, Inspirational