early days
MUDDLE IMAGES
Writer, First Theatre Director & Producer Credit – Yale Cabaret
While earning my MFA in Acting at Yale School of Drama, I began my journey as a director/writer/producer. During my second year, I wrote and directed Muddled Images, an original play produced at the Yale Cabaret.
This formative experience deepened my understanding of theatrical storytelling and affirmed my passion for shaping narratives both on stage and behind the scenes.
That same year, I produced the Black History month reading series.
YES MADAME
Director/Writer/Actor Independent Short Film (2000)
After attending the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in 1999, I was inspired to explore film directing. Encouraged by actor/director/writer Jackie Alexander, I directed my first short film, marking a pivotal moment in my transition from stage to screen. The project featured a talented cast including Phynuar, Rob Morgan, Keith Tisdell, and Adenrele Ojo.
This experience ignited my passion for cinematic storytelling and laid the foundation for my continued work as a multidisciplinary artist committed to amplifying underrepresented voices in film.
AH-HA Moments
Executive Producer, One-Act Play Festival (Los Angeles, 2004)
While based in Los Angeles, I executive produced a one-act play festival featuring original works by and starring artists of color, in collaboration with Juliette Jeffers, Adenrele Ojo, Shawna Waterman, and Allison Davis. The festival included:
- In the Fun by S. Vasanti Saxena, directed by Armando Molina
- Butterscotch and Hot Fudge (written by me), directed by Chris Cherot, starring Juliette Jeffers and Cheryl Francis Harrington—who won an NAACP Theatre Award for her performance
- Couple Wanted by Veona Thomas, directed by me
- Legacy of Love by Juliette Jeffers and M.B. Montague, directed by Andi Chapman
This project was a key milestone in my producing and directing career, showcasing my ability to lead multidisciplinary creative teams, support new works, and spotlight stories rooted in cultural and gender identity.
CURRENT producER CREDITS
Conch Shell Productions
In 2018, I founded Conch Shell Productions (CSP) with a singular vision: to amplify bold new voices from the Caribbean-American and Caribbean Diaspora in American theater and film.
At CSP, we believe that storytelling is a powerful tool for social change. Our mission is to create a dynamic space for Caribbean heritage artists to develop, workshop, and present new plays and screenplays that challenge norms, inspire dialogue, and celebrate cultural richness.
Based in Queens, New York, Conch Shell Productions presents a vibrant annual season of staged readings and full productions of both short and full-length works. Signature programs include the Hear Her Call Caribbean-American Women’s Theater Festival, Conch Shell New Works Series, RESET Series, and #BluelightSeries.
As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, we are committed to uplifting underrepresented voices and fostering inclusive artistic collaboration.
The RESET Theatre Coalition: A Call for Change
In response to the 2020 killing of George Floyd, I was moved to take action through art. I founded the RESET Theatre Coalition, a partnership between like-minded theatre organizations committed to amplifying the voices of underrepresented artists and igniting a cultural RESET in America.
The inaugural 2020 coalition included:
🎭 Conch Shell Productions (NY) – Championing Caribbean diaspora playwrights
🎭 Kumu Kahua Theatre (HI) – Producing new works by Hawaiian playwrights
🎭 Braata Productions (NY) – Showcasing the voices of Jamaican and Jamaican diaspora artists
Together, we launched the RESET Series 2020, a powerful presentation of short plays exploring systemic racism and oppression in America.
In 2021, we deepened our collaboration with Kumu Kahua Theatre to spotlight plays by Caribbean diaspora and Native Hawaiian writers, specifically celebrating the voices of unsung sheros.
Select works from RESET 2020 were published in the anthology:
WE'RE NOT NEUTRAL: RESET SERIES 2020 COLLECTED SHORT PLAYS
RESET was more than a series—it's a movement. Through storytelling, we sought to challenge, educate, and transform.
Conch Shell International Film Fest (CSIFF)
Celebrating Bold Caribbean Voices in Film
Conch Shell International Film Fest is a film festival dedicated to showcasing the bold, innovative work of indie and student filmmakers from the Caribbean and the Caribbean Diaspora.
Our mission is to amplify underrepresented voices and infuse the American film industry with the rich perspectives of Caribbean heritage storytellers.
CSIFF offers a dynamic platform where diverse audiences, industry professionals, and artists come together to celebrate, discuss, and learn from films that spark dialogue, challenge stereotypes, and inspire social change.
At CSIFF, we believe that storytelling is a powerful tool for transformation—and that the Caribbean experience deserves a spotlight on the global stage.
🎬 Join the movement. Experience films that shift perspectives.
Aftershocks: A Tetralogy of Our Times (A Conch Shell Productions Original)
“Aftershocks” is a powerful tetralogy of short moments that explores love, loss, resilience, and transformation within Caribbean American communities in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Produced by Conch Shell Productions, this smartphone film project amplifies the voices and experiences of Caribbean diaspora artists whose lives were deeply impacted by the global health crisis.
Each piece captures the emotional and societal aftershocks of the pandemic, while celebrating the strength and complexity of our communities.
🎭 Funders & Support
This project was made possible in part by the City Artist Corps grant for NYC-based working artists disproportionately affected by COVID-19, administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), with support from the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) and Queens Theatre.
Additional support was provided by the Queens Council on the Arts with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
CONCH SHELL PRESS
In 2021, Conch Shell Productions launched its publishing arm, Conch Shell Press, to further amplify bold, culturally rich voices from the Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora.
Under this banner, we proudly released WE'RE NOT NEUTRAL: RESET SERIES 2020 Collected Short Plays—a powerful anthology of works developed through our Reset Series initiative. This collection features thought-provoking short plays by writers of color that confront systemic oppression and spark dialogue about social justice in America.
Through Conch Shell Press, we are committed to preserving and sharing transformative stories that inspire change, challenge perceptions, and celebrate the power of underrepresented voices.