Ailing Bermudian Director’s Theatre Triumph

Despite suffering from debilitating anemia, Bermudian performance and visual artist Tamicka [TeeJay] Johnson enjoyed a successful US directorial debut with “Lying in Bed”, a play that opened in Atlanta in February to rave reviews. She was also one of the starring cast members.

Last Spring Cole Thomas wrote “Lying In Bed” as a set of short stories and play scenes.

The play aims to educate as well as entertain by blending dramatic and comedic monologues and sketches into a plot about the value and challenges of truth telling.

Celebrating the pursuit of love and loyalty, the play touches on such topics as the need for healthy conflict and communication between friends and partners; the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Disease, lifestyle-related illness and certain cancers.

Scene from “Lying In Bed”, directed by Bermudian Tamicka [TeeJay] Johnson

With Ms Johnson at the helm, the play was recently staged in a small Atlanta theatre.

In addition her cast was able to perform selected scenes as the focus of a community dialogue for Atlanta’s Charis Books & More, the oldest feminist book store in the US; participate in a photo shoot for “The Real Role Models” public awareness campaign; and be featured on the “Women’s Speak” radio programme on WRFG 89.3 FM Atlanta.

“I was intrigued by several aspects of the play from the very beginning,” said Ms Johnson. “The relationships and interactions between the characters are funny and insightful, while being educational and thought provoking.

“I loved the idea that Cole had behind incorporating both novice and seasoned performers in this project. Also, coming to the project with innumerable years of community theatre experience, I felt that I was qualified to bring the performance to the level of promise shown in such a prolific script while using the opportunity to teach and train the actors.”

Because of her illness, Ms Johnson remains in critical need of blood transfusions, must undergo an extensive intravenous programme with an oncologist and requires further testing for other autoimmune illnesses,

“Lying in Bed” is now receiving invitations from theaters as far away as California and as near as Washington DC.

There is also interest in bringing the play to universities such as Emory University and Agnes Scott College.

In addition, Tamicka Johnson has been offered an exclusive Artistic Director Internship with Agenda Benda Justice’s Arts Outreach program. They have approved both her Soul2Soul Speak (Atlanta/Bermuda Artist Exchange) and Urban Shakespeare Project proposals; and are currently seeking grants for both projects.

Help for Ms Johnson’s continued medical care can be directed  here.

#ActorsTheatre #Health #TamickaJohnson

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