I'm currently teaching theatre to rising 3rd graders in Guilford County School's Ignite summer camp.  We're having a blast!

I closed my last show on Oct. 7 and began rehearsals for this fantastic holiday musical on Oct. 11! If you liked Mabel and Charles in Wrecking Ball the Musical, come see us as Angels in Black Nativity.  I'm thrilled to be able to spend time with some of my favorite people doing what I love!  Get your tickets today!

So, the run of Wrecking Ball The Musical is done!  Although slated as a workshop, this was a full production.  Hope everyone enjoyed it!

It was such a joy to portray Shirl Jean in "Dreams of a King" at Barn Dinner Theatre, the longest running dinner theatre in the country! Ironically, the show was the shortest run I've ever done. I had roughly two weeks to prepare the role that was laden with monologues. While the director and others encouraged me to make "cheat sheets" and hide them on set, I chose to rely on my training and my technique to tell the story. In the words of Shirl Jean, "It was amazing". My goal when coaching, mentoring, or teaching others is to ensure that they are prepared, professional, and proficient, and I hold myself to  those same standards. #excellencewithoutexception

We had a fantastic historical performance by Mrs. Willa Bost as Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth!  She brought the staff and students to tears with her dramatic presentation.  Book her quickly because her schedule fills up fast.  Attached is more information about this amazing actress!
 Melissa P Underwood, Ph.D.
Media Specialist
Arcado Elementary School
770-925-2100
 
Date: 12/17/2015 04:50PM
Subject: Harriett Tubman/Sojourner Truth Historical Performance to consider for your school
We had Mrs. Willa Bost at our school today to perform for our 1st graders as well as our 5th grade students.   
She did a beautiful job explaining Harriett Tubman to the little ones.  The session was about 15 minutes long.
The historical performance for 5th graders was fantastic.  The students and teachers kept talking about it the rest of the day.
With Black History Month coming up, you definitely want to consider her for a visit to your school. If your media budget isn't prepared for the fee, pass this information on to you PTA. You will not be disappointed.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Susan Noland, Ed.S.
Media Specialist
Mulberry Elementary School
678-226-7472
​
Thank you! You did an excellent job and truly had me ready to go to church!
Seriously, I think the students learned from that experience and I even had
a few takeaways. Our PTA's in this cluster talk on a regular basis and I am
sure they will share with other schools. I can put together something for
you to share with others. Again, thank you for coming and hopefully we will
have you again next year!
Dion Jones, PhD
Principal
Roberts Elementary

From: Elizabeth Rousseau/Arcado Elementary/GCPS
Date: 10/16/2015 07:41AM
It was fantastic! I admit, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I think she did an awesome job. I love the way she structured the story through a narrator character and stayed in character. It was a great mixture of humor and information.

 From: Jessica Jang/Arcado Elementary/GCPS
Date: 10/16/2015 05:52AM
She was amazing!! Voice of an angel. I think they enjoyed it. Sorry for all the crazy questions. We should have written her a big thank you card or something...

​
 YOUR PERFORMANCE WAS OUTSTANDING!!!! YOU ARE VERY GIFTED BY THE LORD FOR THIS CALLING!!   Get ready!  I think you are going to be very, very BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!  I'll be praying that the Lord will open all the doors of opportunity HE HAS FOR YOU!!  YOU DID AN AWESOME JOB!!!!
God Bless YOU, YOUR GODLY HUSBAND, AND YOUR WONDERFUL CHILDREN!!
Love,
Melissa :)
 
From: Susan Noland/Mulberry Elementary/GCPS
Date: 12/17/2015 04:39PM
We had Willa Bost at our school today to do  historical performance for 5th grade as well as a short performance for 1st grade.  She was fantastic.  The teachers and students loved it.   At first the fifth grade teachers came in with their laptops and had plans to "work" while the performance was taking place.   The minute she began, the laptops were closed and they never were opened again!   My principal told me to thank you for giving us the lead to Ms. Bost.   I will be sending out a "blurb" to other media specialist encouraging them to consider having Willa come visit their school in the upcoming months.  She was simply delightful!

From: Marcey Hobson/Arcado Elementary/GCPS
Date: 10/16/2015 08:29AM
I feel that she was awesome. The materials were age appropriate and relevant to the curriculum. Thanks for coming!

From: Ashton Chapman/Arcado Elementary/GCPS
Date: 10/15/2015 06:26PM
I loved it! Thank you for inviting us. I would love to see more interactive historical characters come to Arcado :D

From: Teresa Lowe/Arcado Elementary/GCPS
Date: 10/16/2015 10:59AM
She did a great job! I enjoyed it. I had do it again, I would make sure that my students knew Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth- so they can have refreshed background knowledge. Great!!!!

From: Debbie Barth/Arcado Elementary/GCPS
Date: 10/16/2015 12:34PM
I thought it was great

From: Andrea Herman/Arcado Elementary/GCPS
Date: 10/16/2015 02:20PM
We thought she was amazing!  I enjoyed how she took on three different personas to give students different points of view of life at that time.  Her singing was beautiful! :)

From: Cindy B Allen/Arcado Elementary/GCPS
Date: 10/16/2015 05:45PM
I totally enjoyed the program! Excellent representation of both individuals Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth. 

From: Alice O'Conner/Arcado Elementary/GCPS
Date: 10/19/2015 08:32AM
Loved it! Well done and meaningful for the students.

On Tuesday, January 26, I had the pleasure of sharing with Roberts Elementary in Suwanee, GA.  The first grade students had a live character interaction with Harriet Tubman and the fifth graders show explored Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and life during the Reconstruction Era.

On October 15, I had the pleasure of performing a one woman show for Arcado Elementary in Lilburn, GA. What a treat!!!  Media Specialist, Dr. Melissa Underwood rolled out the red carpet for me.  The show was for 4th & 5th grade students, but the entire school was able to tune in on classroom internet tv and watch a live stream of the performance.  Talk about high tech!

Students met Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and newly freed slave, Mae Caldwell.  Content of show aligned with AKS Standards.  I look forward to more performances and collaboration with Gwinnett County Public Schools.

I am currently rehearsing for the world premiere musical, The First Noel.  Book, music, & lyrics by Lelund Durond Thompson and Jason Michael Webb.  Show runs Dec. 3-6 at Paul Robeson Theatre on the campus of North Carolina A&T University.

I absolutely love originating roles!!  There's something about being the very first actor to breathe life into a character.  Ethel Mae Brooks has become one of my favorites!  Although there was a staged reading of this piece last month in NY, The North Carolina production will be the first full production of the show.  I'm trusting that I'll be cast in future productions of this show as well.

Jason Michael Webb is currently the musical director for the Broadway revival of The Color Purple.  "One never knows...do one?"