3AM Inspiration

I woke up this morning at 3am and couldn’t go back to sleep. I was wondering at first if I was just bothered by something or if I just had to use the bathroom, LOL, but it wasn’t any of that. I woke up inspired and driven and I couldn’t force myself back to sleep. So…I stayed in my comfortable bed, laying next to my sleeping wife and started to go through each scene of my upcoming stage play, “Who’s On my Side?” I imagined all of the actors that Benjamin Smith and I chose to play the characters in the play, acting out each scene and speaking every line that they have studied. I also imagined them moving and acting out each scene. As my thoughts become more vivid and I became more and more inspired.

As my mind continued to develop each act of the play, I became very comfortable with moving forward with this project. For the first time, I was able to see everything as I wanted it to be. I could tell right from that moment, I wasn’t awaken from my sleep because I was annoyed, agitated or stressed, I was comfortable, confident and inspired to be able to create something that will begin a powerful movement in my life and in the lives of the people that will be involved in this project.

After I completed the mental walk through of the stage play, I quickly went to what else I needed to do to continue to make this a success. From working with Darryl Moss on promoting the book, to working with Ben Smith and my “Who’s On My Side?” family, to create the best play ever, I quickly realized that the development of this play is in great hands. I couldn’t help myself, but I just smiled and said, “Thank you Lord for this opportunity.” I understood that the warmth and the calmness of my mind and heart that I was feeling was not from being wrapped up comfortably in my warm blankets, it was the strength of my faith in the Lord that made everything feel so right.

I am not afraid to say that I am a blessed man. I am not afraid to walk towards the completion of this stage play because I know that in my heart that everything will be okay. God has my back with this and I am confident that he will carry me when I need to be carried. I am truly thankful that I am in a place in life that I can develop my dreams and share them with everyone around me. I am so inspired with every breath that I take and I am ready to make, “Who’s On My Side?” shine.

A Special Thank You For Supporting My Dream

I want to thank American International College for allowing me to debut my first ever stage play on the campus. I would also like to thank the Springfield, Massachusetts Cultural Council for giving me the grant to get the play off of the ground and also, I am very appreciative to be a Springfield, MA Cultural Council, Artist Fellow. This is a great honor to have, and to be able to represent my city is humbling. I would also like to thank the United Way of Pioneer Valley for believing in me and supporting this play as a sponsor.

A special thank you goes out to Benjamin Smith of D.R.E.A.M. Studios and also Darryl Moss, for helping me push this play to completion on May 12, 2012 and not allowing anything to sidetrack me. You two have great minds and your knowledge is helping me become a better man in what I am trying to accomplish. Also, a great big thank you to AIC for providing me with a great intern in Rhea Pascal, your ability to complete all of the tasks that have been put in front of you has shown me and also everyone working on this play that you are the real deal.

To Adriana Johnson, owner of iCrack Designs, your design of the poster for the play has catapulted this movement and has made everyone open their eyes to what is to come. Also the new design of the book cover for my novel, “Who’s On My Side? The Story of Kalen Brown,” has captured every bit of what the book is about. You are a talented and gifted woman and I know there will be more to come working with you.

To Carole Troll, you believed in me from the beginning of this project and your energy and spirit carry’s me to new heights. Your continued blessings and help with developing this script is so helpful. I am lucky to have such a talented actress, jazz singer and mother by my side, thank you.

To Darian Murray of LIRM, brother, you are blessed and I am blessed that our paths have met up. Your insight and encouragement has continued to keep me moving. I believe in you just as much as you believe in me. Let’s keep this ball rolling.

As you can see, as of February 13, 2012, I have some great people behind me and in full support of my dream of making this project a complete success. My supporters will continue to grow and I will continue to thank them for believing in me. I am so ready for this to come to life. Keep following the movement. “Who’s On My Side?” COMING SOON!!!

Benjamin Smith of D.R.E.A.M. Studios Signs on as Co-Director

When the Lord blesses you, he blesses you VERY well. After pushing forward with the development of my first stage play and conducting a couple of auditions to find my actors, I was still feeling the stress of being way out of my comfort zone as an author and motivational speaker, but with great support in the background, I was able to move forward with making my dream of adding play-write to my title. As of January 30^th, I was placed back into my comfort zone and my confidence to move forward shot through the roof. I am proud to announce that my Benjamin Smith of D.R.E.A.M. Studios has signed on to become the co-Director of the stage play. Like I said, when the Lord blesses you, he blesses you well. I now will be working closely with the ‘Tom Brady’ of performing arts in Springfield, MA.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE NEW CO-DIRECTOR

Springfield native Benjamin D. Smith, a product of Putnam Vocational Technical High School, in Springfield, MA and graduated from Florida A & M University where he studied theater and graduated and with his BS in Business Administration and Economics. Mr. Smith is the founder and Executive Director of Dream Studios Inc. (Dramatically Reaching Everyone's Artistic Mentality) in Springfield, MA. which is a non-profit agency that was created to introduce community youths to the performing arts and to strengthen them academically. D.R.E.A.M. also offers after school programs and summer camps that focus on Drama, Vocal Training, Dance, Academic & Career Counseling and support groups for women, teens and youth.

Benjamin is also an Event Planner, Grant Writer and Graphic Artist who freelances both in Massachusetts and New York. He has managerial and accounting experience both from the profit and nonprofit sectors. With all of this beneath his belt he is also an accomplished actor, director and a playwright and has acted on stages all across the country.

Through D.R.E.A.M. Studios, Mr. Smith has helped hundreds of youth and adults alike reach their artistic goals. His most noted accomplishments have been placing some of his youth on the national tour with the “Lion King.” Benjamin has also had some of his students perform on Broadway and also roles in movies and television. Benjamin Smith is a true pioneer for the arts and is well respected in the field.

This is a true blessing to have such strength and guidance with the development of my first stage play. With Benjamin right next to me, every step of the way, I am sure that we will bring you a top notch, well respected play that will leave your mind and soul wanting more.

This journey to May 12, 2012, will be a great one. Thank you God for your continued blessings.