Gospel Musical to Premiere in The Valley | Arts & Culture

FORT VALLEY, GA.--Fort Valley State University's Joseph Adkins Players, first lady Betty Rivers and television and film actress Karan Kendrick are shaking up Middle Georgia's theater scene with a local production of a hit stage play, Crowns. The "roof-raising” musical comes to the Austin Theater, located in downtown Fort Valley, March 1-4.

Crowns, written by Regina Taylor, follows the story of a young girl on a path to destruction, whose life is forever changed because of lessons learned from her grandmother and a community of "Hat Queens." Through rich stories and music of the African-American South with plenty of "Hattitude," the play takes the audience on a journey of love, discovery, revelation and remembrance.

“The first time I read this script, I knew it was a piece that I had to bring to my community,” said producer Kendrick, who performed in the hit show’s first national tour. “It celebrates the best of who we are as a community and preserves our rich southern tradition of storytelling and looking good while doing it.”

In Spring 2010, the actress and founder of the Kendrick Academy partnered with FVSU’s first lady and Maisha Akbar, assistant professor of speech and theater, who were already planning to bring the show to campus.

“It just worked out perfectly,” Akbar said. “Several people on campus knew about the play and wanted to see the production ."   

The producing partners say the local production is a unique opportunity for students and community actors to showcase their talent and train with industry professionals such as director Thomas Jones, who has directed, written, and performed in more than 200 plays worldwide; and Jade Lambert-Smith, assistant director of the play. 

Akbar conducts research about Black women in cultural productions and a spiritual ritual called "the ring shout" practiced by slaves. “This work is a great basis for student and faculty research and activism,” she said.

The cast includes FVSU students Brittany Carter, Britni Moore, and Ashley C. Williams; as well as FVSU employees Kristie Kenney, program coordinator for the Rural Business Outreach Institute, and Gus Ogelsby, a student services professional in Auxiliary Services and Residential Life.

Tickets for Crowns range from $10-$25 and are available online at www.KendrickAcademy.com. For more information, call (404) 713-5884 or e-mail cjfhardy@hotmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .