Jovelyn Richards
I am a writer, director of community theater and film, as well as an international solo performance artist. The inspiration of my work is my fascination of individuals and communities challenged by political, religious, and social atrocities and persecution; the astounding ability to harvest love and intimacy. The spirit/muse that guides me is utterly stunned by the sheer beauty of people(s) who have harvested love and intimacy throughout our complicated human history.
Community theater has included: 9-1-1 What's Your Emergency? The Verdict, exploring the explosion of weaponizing 9-1-1 in communities of color; Ozell's, stories of the migration of black southerners across America; and Mz. Pat's House, the role of Brothels as safe havens for the disenfranchised.
My solo performances have premiered at (selected venues): The Marsh, SF; Afro Solo, SF; La Peña Cultural Center, Berkeley, CA; Los Angeles Women's Theater Festival; the National Black Theatre Festival, North Carolina; Central Eastern University, Budapest, HU.
Published work has included published essays, excerpts from fiction, and poetry anthologies. My first novel, Tulips for Evening, was published in 2015. I currently reside in Honolulu, HI, where I am working in collaboration with Olelo Community Media filming theater videos for our local community: The Space Between Us.
In addition, for 15 years I have hosted and produced radio for Pacifica Radio, KPFA 94.1. I hold an MA and MFA in Humanities.