Sandy Brown is the creator, playwright, performer, artistic director, costume designer, graphic artist, film montage editor, sound effects designer, Wig Stylist, and Poster Designer for her one woman show “Oh, Yes She Did!” a play of one woman monologues demonstrating the legacy of over a dozen key African American women who were pioneers in their day, from the second published American female poet to the first pioneering women in space. Ms Brown is herself a pioneer of today, forging her own artistic creation. In this interview, conducted post show on Saturday February 4th, 2012, Ms. Brown reveals how in a town of celebrities, by bringing to life America’s African American Women Pioneers, she herself is breaking new ground.
You performed 8 characters tonight but there are 14 characters on your poster, is there a longer version?
This is the first volume. There is a part two and possibly a part three. This was a unique way to do a show. The show will be published at the appropriate time. I do not want to give up to much of that to the public.
The title of your show has the sub-title “from slave ship to spaceship our story begins,” is that part two?
There are three women of aviation in it that will add a whole other dimension to the show. Katherine Johnson, PhD. I am determined to get her name out. All are on the poster. She was part of the NASA Space program. Men built the ships. Women calculated. They were called “computers in skirts.” There were two pools of women mathmeticians - a black pool and a white pool. She was was the only mathematician chosen to join All-Male Space Task Force. When there were problems with the early flights, she was responsible for calculating trajectory-calculating how to get them up and how to get them down. It was before computers. I just know if little girls were taught that than they would know little girls can be good at math.
There definitely is a theme for Freedom in the play, was that the theme determined to tie the stories together or was there another overall message to convey with the entire piece?
The theme tends to shift, but it is about strength in perseverance no matter what. These women were not planning to be pioneers they were living in their times and had a choice. Who knew what those choices would bring? Power of a choice despite overwhelming circumstances that boggle the mind that can evoke such emotions and that is what I wanted to bring choice. You see these pivotal moments of change, these pivotal moments of choice. If anything these are people following their truth and end up changing the nation.
I wanted to do their legacy justice. Each woman leaves us something.
You attended Howard University? (Howard University is a primarily African American College in Washington, DC) What message would you give to Howard University students?
My undergraduate years were at U.C. Berkeley. I attended Howard for a Summer Science Fellowship. I was studying neuroscience. My studies involved information. I always felt a push and pull with arts and science and me. I enjoyed being around it. Before, I was singled out in class. Attending Howard with a room of people where I was not the only one. It was empowering and fascinating. I still had the push and pull. There was something regarding the arts that dazzled me and I do not think in a traditional way that it dazzles other people. I do approach the show in a very scientific manner. I feel what I am doing with this particular theatre piece is inspiring and igniting people in their own way and that is exciting and I am constantly getting that feedback in e-mails and to know like these women you make a choice and trajectory and it can affect people.
What is your message to all women of all ethnicities?
I hope to do a companion book about the lessons each of these women leave for each of us and what I have learned on the journey for each of us. There is a woman who spoke about the show, I am paraphrasing, who said the show allows us to find the heroism in ourselves, and that is what is so powerful about the show. It reminds us of whom we are, how powerful we truly are, and in all the ways we contribute and are valid and always have been. We are the products of the legacy of other women and how inspiring that is and to own that. You walk differently. Designing the poster, when people see this particular view of women they sit differently. Your body shifts. And what is that. It is speaking to people in a new way and I am excited about that.
There were guests tonight? That happens often right?
A Tuskegee Airman, Lucas has a movie out right now regarding them. People are coming to the show who are heroes, pioneers that walk among us and are still with us, whether Tuskegee Airmen or actual Freedom Riders. It is such a blessing to meet these heroes that broke barriers to allow so many of us the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy today. And, the fact that they are so moved and encouraging and bless your project and bless what you are doing. I'm speechless.
What is next?
The show runs on Thursdays at 7:30 PM and Saturday at 1 PM (matinee) at the Theatre- Theater 5041 Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019, January 19th to February 25th, 2012.
"Oh, Yes She Did" has been chosen for the 2012 Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival, in March for Women's History Month.
We are seeking additional investors and sponsors for its expansion, and meeting with those inspired by the show's mission to entertain, enlighten, educate and empower. The idea is to shoot it as a special. We are touring now but after the run. It is appropriate across the board for allot of things and that too is exciting.
NOTE: This article will be followed by a part two on advice from Ms. Brown on acting and the creative process for her one woman performance. Release date: Friday, February 10, 2012.
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