#30in30 Je'caryous Johnson, Tyler Perry, David E. Talbert

Je'caryous Johnson was the first producer that gave me a chance. Actually his play "3 Ways To Get A Husband" was the first one I ever had the pleasure of seeing live.

 It was a busy spring semester in college and more money than I could afford to spend. However, I was determined to see this play live. Since Tyler Perry's plays had become a household item, it was a must that I experience any play that happened to be in my city. How I heard about "3 Ways To Get A Husband" is now a mystery, but upon hearing it I called several friends. Someone was bound to attend this with me. However, no one wanted to. So I did what any desperate journalism student would do. I bought a ticket to go by myself.

It was a nerve-racking and exciting experience. The nerve-racking part came when getting in and sitting down. When those people say no cameras, they really mean no cameras at all. It's almost like being searched at the airport. Then upon sitting down, I sat in someone else's seat. When security tapped me on the shoulder I became overwhelmed with anxiety. That anxiety cleared up when they looked at my seat number and moved me closer to the stage. My seat was in the fifth or sixth row, which is a really good location for the first time buying a ticket to a play. Then came the preparation, studying, and enjoyment.

Mentally I prepared myself to enjoy the show and also pay attention to key moments. Those would be the moments that made Je'caryous Johnson stand out from every other producer of a play. Those would be the moments that made him a unique writer, director, and producer. They would also be the ways that propelled him to the point of being able to take his plays from city to city across the United States.

I wanted to know his method for many different reasons, but none involved copying his style. The most important reason was to know what worked for him. How did Je'caryous Johnson become a successful play writer?

In the beginning I said he was the first producer that gave me a chance. By chance I mean I could afford to go see his style live. He's good, but he's not Tyler Perry.

Tyler Perry

David E. Talbert

Je'caryous Johnson

Even T. D. Jakes has joined in on the black plays and movies scene. Each of these people are successful, but in their own ways. They bring a uniqueness to television and movie screens. They are successful by doing what they know, but can we all come up like that?

Currently I'm an aspiring writer trying to find my way from under the security of family and into the world of strangers. Can I use my uniqueness and become as successful as these men? These women producers are heavily lacking.

This is a Sunday Reflections post, but also day four of the #30in30 challenge.