Producing with Garlia: Plays, Parenting... it's all a performance

In this episode of Producing with Garlia, Garlia Cornelia Jones shares her first ever keynote speech, delivered at the Louisiana Arts Summit on October 4, 2023.  Garlia reflects on her personal and professional journey as an artist, producer, and advocate for Black theatre. She covers the importance of community, innovation in the arts, and the need for ongoing support for Black artists.Episode Chapters00:00 - 03:00 // Introduction and Reflections on Baton Rouge Former President and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Adam Knapp introduces the keynote, Garlia shares her connection to Baton Rouge  03:00 - 09:30 // Career and Founding of Black Curtain Garlia recounts her time at Indiana University, where she founded Black Curtain, a platform for Black stories. She shares how this experience shaped her career as a producer and advocate for Black artists.09:30 - 14:30 // Challenges in the Theater Industry Jones speaks about the challenges of working in predominantly white institutions, her experiences as a producer, and the lack of support for Black artists in the theater industry.14:30 - 24:30 // Pandemic and Innovation in the Arts A reflection on the impact of the pandemic on the arts and how it prompted innovations. She contrasts the initial accessibility during lockdown with the challenges of post-pandemic audience retention.24:30 - 35:00 // The Importance of Community and Mentorship Garlia highlights the value of community, collaboration, and mentorship, sharing stories about her father’s influence, her mentors, and the importance of relationships in her career.35:00 - 42:00 // Founding of Blackboard Plays and Black Motherhood Festival She discusses the founding of Blackboard Plays and the Black Motherhood and Parenting New Play Festival. She explains how these platforms provide space for Black playwrights and parents in the arts.42:00 - 50:00 // Returning to Detroit and Building Artistic Spaces Garlia reflects on her return to Detroit and her work with the Obsidian Theatre Festival. She talks about the importance of creating opportunities for Black artists in her hometown.50:00 - End // Final Reflections and Call to Action In closing, Garlia urges the arts community to focus on collaboration, innovation, and breaking down barriers in the industry. She emphasizes the need for change and a more inclusive, supportive future for Black artists.Check out some photos from the 2023 Summit, of speakers and panelists!Take a look at the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Instagram Post on GarliaRead the Feature on all 3 keynotes in Country Roads MagazineStay Connected!Follow Garlia on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/garliacornelia Follow "Producing with Garlia" on Substack / producingwithgarlia.substack.comFollow the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artscouncilgbr

Good Morning, Patrons!I recorded this last night after a long and productive, but only mildly frustrating day. It was a good day overall, and I had kid-free time, because the kids ended up having a playdate.I fell asleep on my sofa, as I often do, then transferred to my bed around 1am, checked a couple other things off my list and finally fell asleep around 3am.There are days like that.Yesterday morning, I capture some work #bts content on my phone and my daughter's but the time lapse didn't work, so back to the drawing board I went.I also knew that yesterday was the last quiet day for a while.___This is a public post and podcast episode.If you are NOT a patron - JOIN The community here! I have been really proud of myself with my consistent posting. I have been really working on just getting things out there without over-thinking. No, I don't think everything is perfect... BUT... (and I found this clip, AFTER I began doing this), according to a recent IG Reel from Blavity Founder, Morgan DeBaun, my batting average is just going to increase.  Now, if you know me, then you know that I'm not a huge sports aficionado. My softball playing days in middle school were not going to take me to any league, but they did give me some team building camaraderie and lasting memories of balls I watched go over my head in the outfield ;). But -- What I get from Morgan's metaphor is to keep trying... failures and flops will happen, but if I continue to do the work, it will only grow and get better and THAT is what people will focus on.This has been a year of A LOT of lessons... Some I will share, and others I will save for later. I have felt the ups and down of job loss and heartbreak at a time when I am the sole provider and need to make sure my children are well taken care of. Parenting is not easy and Co-Parenting comes with its challenges.I am grateful to have the community I have and one that includes safe spaces for the children as well. That has been my saving grace during some of the busier more hectic times... Community.My faith has gotten my through."I believe in the good things comin' " as Nahko says in "Black as Night", and I'll stay that way.--I would love to hear responses to the questions I posed...Do people care if you work hard and still fail?There are a lot of variables to that response, but what do you think and what have your experiences been with that?Leave your comments below.Thanks for being here.Sincerely,Garlia❦ Before I forget! ❦1. Please comment on the post or tap the heart if you liked what you read.2. Streaming for Obsidian Theatre Festival is available: https://bit.ly/joinotfstream2. See a list of my published articles and essays: http://www.garliacornelia.com/writer/articles-essays/3.  I’ve been updating my website and BLOG! All my work: blogs, photography, writing and producing history here: http://www.garliacornelia.com4.Follow me on Instagram: @garliacornelia 5. Have something else…? MESSAGE ME!

It's late. I couldn't sleep.I'm also trying to get in the practice of doing this more and the first step is always the hardest, right... so... here we go.I'm sharing some of my writing. A poem I wrote.I'll share poems and short stories more. I have a lot I have been writing.This one is called "First Lady"First Ladyby Garlia Cornelia JonesI wanted to be your FIRSTLady.To rule at your right hand and you at my left.But that’s not really a First Lady.  I wanted to be your First Lady.Until I knew what that meant.I wanted to be your Queen, your woman, your baby, your honeyAnd I was.But so was she.We were your Queens, your women, your babies, your honeys.And then I wasn’t…I wanted to be your First Lady.Until I ran for president and we both won.--Thank you for being here.Stay Tuned for the #48hoursinbatonrouge announcement tomorrow. Looking forward to it.❦ Before I forget! ❦1. Please comment on the post or tap the heart if you liked what you read.2. Streaming for Obsidian Theatre Festival is on our website: https://bit.ly/joinotfstream2. See a list of my published articles and essays: http://www.garliacornelia.com/writer/articles-essays/3.  I’ve been updating my website and BLOG! All my work: blogs, photography, writing and producing history here: http://www.garliacornelia.com4.Follow me on Instagram: @garliacornelia 5. Have something else…? MESSAGE ME!

Good Morning, Patrons!Episode 2 is here. This one will be for Patrons only! I'm back from Detroit as you read in my last post and have been thrust into figuring out these puzzle pieces. Listen to the Audio above and share my page with people you think might be intersted.In other news, I'm getting 48Hours in...™Baton Rouge up and going... it's in 15 days!Figuring out what the rest of the summer will be for my kids as well.I'll be interviewed for an arts council podcast later this after and for another zine focused on Black artists with my frequent collaborator, John Sloan III in Detroit. That Zine will be out at the end of the month. Looking forward to sharing with you.THANK YOU for being here.xoGarlia❦ Before I forget! ❦1. Please comment on the post or tap the heart if you liked what you read.2. Streaming for Obsidian Theatre Festival is available: https://bit.ly/joinotfstream2. See a list of my published articles and essays: http://www.garliacornelia.com/writer/articles-essays/3. I’ve been updating my website and BLOG! All my work: blogs, photography, writing and producing history here: http://www.garliacornelia.com4.Follow me on Instagram: @garliacornelia 5. Have something else…? MESSAGE ME!

My dear patrons... and non-patrons...This is the first of its kind... and it will NOT be the last.So many times, I think that the only way to truly bring you into my work is to audio record it and turn it into a podcast. Tonight / this morning, as I sit here half away, looking out at the Detroit Athletic club from my hotel room in/downtown Detroit, about to embark on the inaugural Detroit /impact arts Conference, I want to share a word.It's been a challenging couple months. May focused on health and mental health. Between my kids and I, we were at urgent care weekly for 3 weeks. I also took my own mental health support a step further. June has been more focused! I've been sharper and more able to tackle the work ahead of me because of my mental health support, but I've also been catching up!Anyway, it's 6:18am and I need to tackle a mini list before getting out the door.  We launch this today! The inaugural Detroit IMPACT Arts Conference. The Youth workshops are in the morning and the afternoon line-up is packed!   My session is at 4pm, followed by the keynote - Dominique Morisseau at 5pmRegister for these sessions here: https://bit.ly/glai-impact-reg-24The conference is free and open to the public! I sincerely hope you are able to come by today or any time this week, and take in what we have to offer!More soon!Thanks for listening and reading!