Christine Dixon: Black History Brought to Life
Harriet Tubman knows how to relate to the different groups because Harriet doesn't 'see' people like [cultural entities]; my audience is seen as humans, a beautiful mélange of people that are just there -- all together -- breathing in sync. https://media.blubrry.com/firstonlinewithfran/content.blubrry.com/firstonlinewithfran/Christine_Dixon_Podcast.mp3 When you love what you do you'll never work a day in your life. Chris Dixon has been directing, producing, booking, and starring in the award-winning, one woman show Harriet Tubman Herself. This production first got its start with a grant from Staten Island Arts. She belongs to SAG-AFTRA, Arts Ignite, The African American Women in Cinema, The New York Women inFilm & Television. In the theatre world, there are ordinary roles, and then there are roles of a lifetime. Harriet Tubman is among the latter. The famed abolitionist and humanitarian is such an iconic figure in American history, rescuing so many slaves with missions along with Underground Railroad, that playing her onstage even once would seem impossibly intimidating. Christine Dixon has done it over 200 times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfDLPlCf62w&t=49s Chris recently worked with Denzel Washington and Spike Lee on their new film project, High& Low.Chris recently performed her 733rd- 736th Tubman shows in Paris, France. Chris recentlystarred as Harriet Tubman Herself, in her Off- Broadway Debut at the now … [Read More...]
Featured News
Ellen W. Kaplan: The Promise of Play
I believe that [National Women’s History month] is about women and social change. Leaders of change reside with women. For me, working with rather than writing about people is the more radical act. Work with vulnerable communities requires us to focus on their concerns and priorities, to be respectful of their autonomy and dignity. It […]
Janet Mitchko: Holding Hands
I would like to believe I attract heart-centered individuals to work with. I create a sense of safety in the rooms, empowerment and we are in service of the text. I pick plays that are going to take us on a journey that we all want to go on; that we’re all going to leave […]
Robert Viagas: Audience Auteur
Losing or winning an argument is not just a zero-sum game. Working together, collaborating is something that you have to learn. The most important part is not you getting all you want all the time, but learning how to feel satisfaction, even if your collaborator talks you into something else. How to find satisfaction within […]
Adrienne D. Williams: Art is Ageless
My passion is telling stories about the complexities of the human spirit. I take pride in telling stories that shed light on life’s poetry, stories of passion, rebellion, discovery and the many untold stories of women. ADRIENNE D. WILLIAMS is New York based actor, director, educator, and storyteller. She is an Artistic Associate at the Martha’s […]
Carla Debbie Alleyne: Stand Together for Fairness
Artivism is a combination of Art and Activism. I wrote about Bayard Rustin who served as the right hand of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for many years. He was a gay Quaker from Pennsylvania and a black man who was instrumental in organizing the March On Washington. Many had issues with Bayard working with […]
The First 100 Stories Campaign
First Online With Fran: The First 100 Stories Campaign National Arts in Education Week, September 8 -14. In July 2010, Congress designated the second week of September as National Arts In Education Week to promote and showcase the immense role arts education has in producing engaged, successful, and college and career-ready students. To that end, First Online with Fran is launching The First 100 Stories Campaign. The Arts continue to be cut from school curriculums across the nation. Despite arts advocacy groups’ efforts to prevent the decline of arts inclusion, the budgetary solution remains to be that the arts are perceived as extra-curricular and disposable. In Chris Cleave’s novel Little Bee, the central character decided to right a wrong by collecting stories: “One story makes you weak. But as soon as we have one-hundred stories, you will be strong.” Similarly, we can do the same for the Arts. Here’s how: Let’s hear it from you: Teachers! Students! Graduates! Parents! … Submit Your Testimonial...
First Online with Fran 
You must be logged in to post a comment.