Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Sept. 20, 1984, edition 1 / Page 35
Part of The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Jones-Meado ws Reacts ‘ '• ■ **V « 'VW * To Series Of Successes With “Pride And Humility” By Jalyne Strong Post Staff Writer “To be a writer is nice. But when are you going to get a real job?” This solicitous question has been addressed to Char lotte playwright, Karen .Jones-Meedows by more than a few people in her life. Yet, following her child . hood ambition to be a writer, Meadows as an adult made the conscious decision to work . at the craft. Even if that meant bring in opposition to the conventional standards of how people support them selves. Now, possessing a pres tigious award, extended re cognition of her work, and deemed a high achiever. Meadows can ignore such quips about writers. The author of four plays: “Rounding Off Time,” “Henrietta,'’ “Shower of Tears,” and “Tapman” has come of age. Recently, out of 853 entries, Jones Meadows’ “Henrietta" received the Atlanta New Play Project Award. And subsequently the same play was read as part of the Developmental Stage Series by the acclaimed Negro Eneembie1Company in New York. A lot of things are happening,” states Jones Meadows, “I believe this is going to end up being an excellent year.” This year began with Jones-Meadows’ play “Tapman,” being pro duced last February by the Afro-American Cultural Center at Spirit Square The event was a sellout. Meanwhile, “Henrietta" ‘ has been produced in the Virgin Islands by the Island Center in St. Croix. Jenea-Meadows reacts to these series of successes with a mixture of pride and humility. “I like it when people enjoy what I do and see the value in my work," sbe acknowledges. “The recognition lets me see that people are under standing what I’m trying to say. “I always want to im prove. I definitely try to make each play better dmn the preceding one,” explains Jones-Meadows. She has begun her latest Play, “Ktaisede Ktait *®de” (Sister-Sister, trans lated from the African Language of Twasana), a drama concerning an Afri can Nun’s involvement in the South African struggle The African theme in this Play is intentionally an outgrowth of Jones Mea theatre ** WriUng es7 "n’s a mistake 1tor°the Karen Jones-Meadows .Successful playwright black writer to separate African culture from Afro American culture. It has to be discussed,” she con tends. Jones-Meadows further explains, while black Americans have been externally influenced by American culture thay are internally influenced by African cultural roots. ‘‘The African influence is seen in everything black people do no matter what geographical area they're in.” A New York native, Jones-Meadows has lived in Charlotte for a number of years and finds the city attractive. “Charlotte is clean, comfortable and the quality of living here is very good," she’s found. Plus, she adds, there are many opportunities for creative people to get in on the ground floor of cultural activities. “I like doing plays here,” Jones Meadows informs. How ever, she admits she’s begun to entertain the thought of moving to a larger city for access to “professional cultural acti vities.” It is her wish to be a part of a larger community of professional writers, in a way to discern how she compares to them. “The 1985 Caro winds Season Passes To Go On Sole 1985 Carowinds season passes will go on sale October 6 and 7, the final weekend of operation for the 1984 season, at the 77-acre theme park. A Carowinds season pass entitles holders to unlimited use of the park, including access to all rides, shops and shows. (There is an additional charge for Paladium concerts.) ' Season pass holders receive several other special benefits as well, including food discounts inside the park each Sunday through Thursday during the operating season. Other benefits include a newsletter written especially for pass holders which features a variety of discount coupons for area food, retail and entertainment facilities. Carowinds-Ocean Island have the additional benefit of unlimited access to Ocean Island at Carowinds, a 700,000 gallon wave pool, during the 1985 summer season. - During the October 6 and 7 weekend, 1985 Carowinds season passes will cost $24.95 and combination passes will cost $39.96. On October 8 prices i-'■—1 - Congratulations To All The Charlotte Post Achievers. Working Together for a Better Community U Beatties Font ltd.-=_1 “Quality Auto Painting ft Body Work At Reasonable Prices’’ rm 3*-*m hi * Moo-Fri W ™ —■ - - true test is not in mother's living room,” attests the playwright. "You have to go where the big boys are." Asked how a black female writer may fare among the “big boys,” Jones-Meadows, a member of the Dramatist Guild. reflects. "You have to look at yourself as an individial I’m constantly aware of my being black, moreso than being female, but es sentially I want to be a good writer.” But if it comes to be a matter of consequence. she assures, "HI use it to my advan tage or make sure it makes no difference. I'm not going to let restrictions others have set limit me." For other aspiring writers, Jones-Meadows advises they learn the skill through study, much reading and continual work at developing their style And it’s easy to tell whe ther a person has a pro pensity to become a writer, says Jones Meadows, "They can't help but to write. People are writers or they are not writers.” “I’ve always thought I d be a writer or actress,” she admits. Since graduating from Wheelock College. Boston, Mass., with a B.S. in Education and minor in theatre and history, she has been successfully in volved in both endeavors Her acting experiences in clude several commercials for Fust Union Bank and Bi-Lo Stores. She also uses dramatics to educate. Jones-Meadows is the increase to $29.95 and $*7.95 respectively. For more information on purchasing a season pass, caD Carowinds at (7(H) 588-2606 Carowinds is open for weekend operation through October 7. Operating hours are 10 A m until 8 p m on Saturdays and Sundays resident actress for the Afro-American Cultural Center and through their affiliation with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system she brings to the classroom. “A History of African-American Oral and Literary Art;“ The presentation is enhanced by her character portrayals of significant ~ people. The mother of one son, Jayson, Jones-Meadows plans to continue working hard at her writing. She’s applied to participate in a few writers’ workshops in N Y Says Jones-Meadows. she's not striving for fame, but Jayson thinks it would be nice. The gine year old tells his mother, "If you're famous then I’m famous too, right”’" To Share Your Favorite Kecipes. Call ^ Audrey. 376-W96. READ THE CHARLOTTE POST For Accurate, Dependable News Concerning YOUR Community, • v<rn To... THE CHARLOTTE POST Each Week 376-0496 $ rmmmm i; % Wonderful Dad JAMES ROSS <®’ from jg m "Peaches"& "Crumbsnatcher" CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES f_1 TO ; Hr. Mary Harper ; AND J. C. Cowsor FOR BEING NAMED ACHIEVERS Cofvii Brews, A tty, 40V 0. tewsE Of. Mft III 074-VJOV
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Sept. 20, 1984, edition 1
35
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75